Pairing necklaces with various necklines can be rather tricky thus why I wanted to share with you a few ideas that may be helpful in solving this dilemma. There are a few things to remember as you read on; these are just my thoughts, there are always exceptions (occasion, hairstyle…) to any rule, and you should always stay true to what works best for you. My key to each necklace choice is balance – knowing when you need a thicker necklace, a more subtle look, or no necklace at all. Keep reading to check out my ideas for what necklaces look best with these necklines:
The crew neck is the easiest to pair with a necklace because it comes up to the neckline and looks great with most necklaces. Sometimes it’s best to go simple and forgo a necklace especially if the rest of your outfit is busy. A delicate pendant that shows up on the top can be subtle, yet elegant. Lastly, a round necklace (or a statement necklace) might add more style to a plain crew neck top.
The scoop neck can be a little bit trickier. Depending on how low or high the scoop neckline is, there are a variety of options. Most of the time, a scoop neckline needs a necklace, which is why I don’t recommend skipping a necklace altogether. A delicate pendant looks nice, however, a round necklace that mimics the neckline looks even better. My favorite look for a scoop neck is a bigger necklace or statement necklace that fills up the space and adds some interest to your outfit.
The v-neck necklace choice also depends on whether it is a high or low neckline. Most of the time, I don’t like round necklaces with a v-neck because it contrasts the shape of the neckline, however, I have seen it done well and a higher v-neck with a round necklace may work depending on the necklace. Sometimes with this neckline, no jewelry looks great and uncomplicated, especially with a more casual shirt. The best choice is a simple pendant that mimics the neckline and balances the skin-to-shirt ratio.
The boat neck is one of my favorite necklines but it can be harder to style. A round, bib, or statement necklace tends to cut off the beautiful neckline leaving space between the necklace and ends of the top. While it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing look, I have seen it done well with the right necklace pairing. If you’re unsure about using a statement necklace with this neckline, opt for a simple pendant, or better yet, nothing. Boat neck tops are high and long, and look best with no necklace. Keep it simple and avoid creating a heavy look.
The collared shirt can look great with any necklace, which is why most of my tops have a collar. Going with no necklace is simple, unfussy, and makes your look seem effortless in the best way. The delicate pendant necklace adds some interest without going overboard. The statement necklace looks great under a collared shirt because it can be tucked away while still dressing things up. Lastly, statement necklaces on the outside of a collared shirt is fun, just make sure the necklace hangs low enough to hit below one of the unbuttoned buttons.
The one shoulder is a pretty off centered look that throws some interest into your top or dress. I’m pretty firm on my thoughts with this neckline – keep it simple. It’s already a unique neckline that cuts diagonally across you, so adding a symmetrical necklace cuts off the neckline. Big, pretty earrings are a much better way to add style into this look.
Lastly, the strapless neckline begs for a necklace. This neckline shows the most skin, so it looks more balanced and classy when paired with a necklace. You can opt for the subtle pendant, but a collar, bib, or statement necklace adds far more interest to the dress while balancing the look out.
41 Comments on Pairing Necklaces with Necklines
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Tierney
August 1, 2014 at 6:05 pm (9 years ago)I loved this tutorial! You perfectly described what I always thought but never could articulate!
thedressdecoded
August 1, 2014 at 9:48 pm (9 years ago)Thank you Tierney!!!! 🙂
Fher
March 23, 2015 at 2:36 pm (9 years ago)So if i have a boat necked dress that is very summery, i should use it without a necklase?
thedressdecoded
March 23, 2015 at 6:21 pm (9 years ago)I personally would, but I think if it’s on a delicate chain it might be subtle enough to work.
Karen B
February 8, 2016 at 10:46 pm (8 years ago)Hi Robin!
I was precisely looking for something like this. Thank you so much 🙂
I’m curious about something though. I have a black dress with a boat neck, but it’s lace.. still no necklace? Here is the dress in case you wanna see it.
http://www.express.com/clothing/women/black-lace-sheath-dress/pro/7919009/cat1050012
Thanks a ton!
thedressdecoded
February 9, 2016 at 10:49 am (8 years ago)Thank you for reading!
Cute dress! I would personally pair if with a great bracelet and statement earrings, but I don’t think it would be wrong to wear a necklace with it since it would lay on top of the lace. Hope that helps! 🙂
Karen B
February 9, 2016 at 11:50 am (8 years ago)It does help a ton. I was clueless as to what to do. Thanks again! And keep this blog up. It’s great 😀
thedressdecoded
February 9, 2016 at 12:40 pm (8 years ago)I really appreciate that! Thank you for the kind comment! 🙂
elle
February 28, 2016 at 11:34 pm (8 years ago)How about a solid dark purple boat neck dress with some ruching on stomach area? Can I wear mmedium length silver sparkly necklace and or silver earrings? This is for wedding.
thedressdecoded
March 3, 2016 at 8:40 pm (8 years ago)I would have to see a picture of the dress, but it sounds like it would lay nicely on the dress and look great!
Kathleen Higginbotham
March 19, 2016 at 1:46 pm (8 years ago)i have a royal blue dress with like 3 tiers and a rounded neckline can you tell me what type necklace and earrings to wear
thedressdecoded
March 29, 2016 at 6:14 pm (7 years ago)i would wear a simple single pendant so it doesn’t compete with the dress!
Kathleen Higginbotham
March 19, 2016 at 1:47 pm (8 years ago)i need help finding the right necklace
Angela D
May 27, 2016 at 8:39 am (7 years ago)Hi I have a dark purple sleeveless evening dress with high neck ruched and empire waist with silver beading and basically all fitted. Is it possible to wear a necklace or just earrings and bracelet?? for a wedding (mother of the groom!)
thedressdecoded
May 29, 2016 at 8:33 pm (7 years ago)The dress sounds beautiful! It sounds like the dress already has a lot of pretty detail with the high neckline and beading, I would personally just wear earrings and a bracelet. If you can send me a link to the dress I could help further!
Michelle de la harpe
July 17, 2016 at 4:13 am (7 years ago)I live this tutorial. I just wanted to check on what to pair my scoop neck gown and ended up learning all styles! Thank you! I have a question though. I’m going to wear this electric blue scoop neck gown that is plain so I would like to wear the big necklace as you suggested. But can I wear a thin belt as I don’t like the waist which shows the joint between top and gown. And should I wear earring at all?
thedressdecoded
July 17, 2016 at 10:14 pm (7 years ago)Thanks for reading!!! I was thinking of re-posting this article because many have said it’s been helpful!
I would do a thin, neutral belt, as not to add a competing color, and I always do earrings (I feel naked without them), but would keep it to simple studs. Hope this helps!! Your dress sounds lovely!
Tonya smith
July 29, 2016 at 10:50 am (7 years ago)What about a high neck, sleeveless, mid calf black dress. I have a bold two chain gold necklace. Better alone or with the necklace?
thedressdecoded
July 31, 2016 at 9:27 pm (7 years ago)I think a necklace looks fabulous with a high neck! Just keep the earring simple! 🙂
Kelly
July 31, 2017 at 9:38 am (6 years ago)What about the now popular lace inset neckline? For example, a crew neck that is lace down to where a strapless shirt might start? Thanks!
thedressdecoded
July 31, 2017 at 10:59 am (6 years ago)I know exactly the type of dress you are referring to! I would wear a simple pendant, or go with statement earrings and no necklace at all. The lace detail is too pretty to wear a larger necklace over top.
Katherine Branson
October 30, 2017 at 7:04 am (6 years ago)I want to ask about what kind of necklaces to pair in my glittery black dress? It’s a strapless and glittery dress but I don’t like not having necklaces it feels so empty in my neck and I don’t want to look so flashy too! Please help me!
thedressdecoded
October 31, 2017 at 4:15 pm (6 years ago)I would still wear a necklace! Maybe something more petite and simple like a single pedant on a shorter chain. I would aim to have it hit near your collarbone or right below, not where it reaches the top of your dress. I think necllaces always look great with strapless, even if your dress is a little showier. 🙂
Hope this helps!
Cheryl Gross
November 13, 2017 at 4:20 pm (6 years ago)Great tutorial — Thanks! I have a dress I’m wearing for a military ball and don’t know what to do for a necklace. The problem is that it has silver decoration on the shoulders –don’t feel right without a necklace, but don’t want to overdo it, either. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/wqIAAOSwjKFZXN9N/s-l1600.jpg
thedressdecoded
November 14, 2017 at 1:53 pm (6 years ago)What an elegant dress!! I’d do a really simple pendant necklace in silver. Think 16″ chain, and a smaller pendant on it. It will follow the neckline of the dress without taking away from the shoulder detail.
Cheryl Gross
November 16, 2017 at 11:17 am (6 years ago)Thanks!
Karen C.
June 27, 2018 at 9:40 pm (5 years ago)I have a couple of black dresses eorn mostly to church. Each has what I would describe as boat neck. I always wear a statement necklace (color) or a long impke chain with some dangle. Am I doing it wrong?
thedressdecoded
July 9, 2018 at 10:09 am (5 years ago)I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong! These are just my opinions, I always think a long necklace is a safe bet for a boat neck. If it’s a solid black dress then a necklace adds a little extra to it. I bet you look lovely! 🙂
JENNY
December 9, 2018 at 11:18 am (5 years ago)My Mother of the Bride dress has a V-neck, but is beaded down both sides of the V with fairly large beads. What sort of necklace should I wear (if any). The dress is lime/yellow!
thedressdecoded
December 14, 2018 at 10:59 am (5 years ago)I would either do a slim necklace with a small pendant (maybe something sentimental?), or no necklace at all and go for fabulous earrings. I’m sure you’ll look lovely either way!
Mary
November 27, 2019 at 5:39 am (4 years ago)I love this article and thank you for all the suggestions! I am thinking of buying this bateau evening gown .
https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/eliza-j-velvet-capelet-gown?ID=3504165&cm_mmc=EML3-_-SHQ-_-ACartDrip1-_-Product1
Could you please tell me whether I should or should not wear a necklace with this dress? The expanse of velvet seems to need something, but I don’t think a necklace….maybe statement earrings and a bracelet?
thedressdecoded
December 1, 2019 at 10:19 pm (4 years ago)so sorry if I’m late with my reply!
I would do the statement earrings and necklace, or a simple long pendant necklace. It’s a beautiful gown, I hope you bought it!
Gloria Trout
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October 12, 2021 at 1:28 pm (2 years ago)navy blue, off shoulder gown with sparkles. Choker and earrings? Matching? I have white short hair, silver jewelry?
Vivian Gregory
January 29, 2023 at 7:14 pm (8 months ago)Hi! thanks very helpful
Vivian Gregory
January 29, 2023 at 7:16 pm (8 months ago)Very interesting & helpful. Thank you very much