Chains are among the most adorable jewellery pieces both men and women love to wear. While it is often easier to determine the chain style and metal, choosing a befitting chain size can be challenging. This is because, each one of us has a different face shape, size, and preference. Also, since we cannot restrict chains to just a single occasion, they have to be something that makes us say, “Ahh, that’s the one” whether we are wearing them at a festival, wedding ceremony, birthday or in a formal setting.
Hence, a perfect chain size is as important to us as the style and metal. Here is a quick guide to help you shop for the right chain size or length in the first go. This guide is for both women and men who love to wear chains but are confused about what chain length to buy.
Selecting The Right Chain Length for Women
When it comes to selecting an apt size for a silver chain for women, the most common lengths are between 14” to 18”. The choice of the chain length depends on several factors such as the shape of the neck and face, body size, type of chain, clothing, and occasions.
Selecting The Right Chain Length for Men
The chain lengths selected for men typically fall at the collarbone. The most common sizes in men’s chains range between 20-24” and that which falls at the collarbone is around 20” in length.
How To Measure the Neck To Achieve Correct Chain Length?
A 16” chain is of choker length, while a 17-18” chain usually ends at the collarbone.
One that is 20” ends a few inches below the collarbone.
A 22” chain ends at or above the neckline.
One that is 24” falls beyond the neckline.
If you’re shopping for chains from the local jewellery shop then you might not have to measure your neck before choosing the right length. However, if you’re planning to buy silver chains online, you must know your neck measurement to order the right piece.
While men’s neck corresponds to the size of their shirt’s collar, the neck of women requires a measuring tape to achieve the right size. To do this, they can wrap a soft measuring tape around their neck. When measuring, the tape should be parallel to the floor so that the right size can be obtained. Alternatively, you can measure the neck using a ribbon. All you have to do is wrap the ribbon around the base of the neck and mark it at the point where its ends meet. Now measure the obtained size using a ruler.
Once measured, add 2-4” to the measurement. This will be your minimum recommended length. For example, if the neck is 18”, then the chain’s length must be 20” or more.
What If You’re Not Happy With A Chain Size?
There may be times when customers may not find a standard size, shape, or style in a silver chain. This is because they may have exceptional aesthetic and comfort preferences. Such customers can resort to customization.
On the other hand, others can opt for layering.
Well, what is layering?
When you buy silver chains online, there is hardly a chance that the recommended sizes fail to satisfy your requirements. However, if we are unsatisfied with one chain size, we can go for layering, a trendy way to wear silver chains. Women these days ditch necklaces by layering varying lengths of chains, between 14” to 24” to achieve their styles. This way they have a good collection of chains of different lengths and sizes. Hence, based on the occasion, outfit, and preference, they can switch from one chain to another or opt for layers of chains.