Grandma’s pearls? Not anymore! Today pearl necklaces are enjoying a renewed fame in the world of fashion. No longer considered outdated or old-fashioned, pearl necklaces can be seen on everyone, from celebrities to royalty to the girl next door.
Like diamond studs or hoop earrings, pearl necklaces are a versatile staple of jewelry collections. You can’t go wrong with one but… finding the right pearl necklace can prove tricky.
We’ve got you covered in this comprehensive guide on finding the right pearl necklace and styling yourself stunning!
But first things first…
Who Wears Pearl Necklaces?
Is there an age bracket or gender for which pearl necklaces are best suited? The answer is no. Pearl necklaces tend to suit everyone.
And while traditionally these gemstones were the domain of women, today, more and more men are starting to rock pearl strands for a unique and statement look.
The graphic below gives you a snapshot of just how many styles the pearl necklace strand can accommodate and how it looks stunning on just about anyone.
But picking the perfect necklace and styling it right can be a little tricky, so here’s what you need to know to get it right.
Pick the Perfect Length
Pearl necklaces come in a range of lengths from 14 inches to over 100 inches. This is quite a huge range, so finding the right length is important if you want to get the most out of your strand.
Different necklace lengths suit various occasions and styles. We’ve covered this in another article on finding the perfect pearl necklace length but here’s a quick rundown:
The Choker (14 to 16 inches)
The choker is the quintessential pearl necklace style, resting just at the base of your neck. You can dress this down with a casual top and a pair of jeans or style it with formal attire. When layered two, three or four times, the choker length looks very dramatic and extremely stylish.
The Princess (17 to 19 inches)
The most popular necklace length, the princess falls about a couple of inches below your collarbone. It’s a traditional length and, like the choker, goes well with formal or casual attire.
The Matinee (20 to 24 inches)
Bordering casual and formal, the matinee tends to make the wearer look slimmer and taller because your eyes are drawn down from neck to the necklace endpoint. Matinee length is perfect for layering with other types of necklaces and is especially stunning for formal wear.
The Opera (26 to 36 inches)
Effortlessly stylish, the opera length can be worn in a few different ways – doubled up, knotted or twisted. You can also wear it hanging straight down for an elongated look. While traditionally worn with formal attire, a new trend is to pair the opera length with casual clothes for a crisp contrast.
The Rope (36+ inches)
Highly versatile, the rope, lariat or endless pearl strand can be styled in endless ways. It’s very chic and sophisticated but can be dressed down and paired with casual clothes. There are so many ways to style the pearl rope, you’re only limited by your imagination!
Ok, maybe not this imagination… but there are endless other ways to do it!
Choose Your Pearl
Pearls are more than just perfectly white, unblemished, smooth orbs. They come in a wide range of colors, types, overtones, sizes and shapes.
Pearl Color:
When we say pearl, we tend to think of white spheres, but pearls come in every color of the rainbow, from black to white.
The most popular is black and white. Black Tahitian pearls are excellent if you want a dramatic, nonconventional look, while white and cream pearls give you a classic appearance.
White Akoya pearls, with their soft overtones of rose, ivory and silver are iconic and look amazing on anyone. Apart from these two neutral colors, some other popular options are lavender, gold, pink, peach and blue.
Pearl Type:
Choose from four main types of pearls – freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea (golden and white).
These range in value and beauty, with South Sea being the most luxurious and valuable, while Tahitian comes in at a close second. Tahitian pearls are also the only natural pearls with dark body tone. There are other pearl types like Sea of Cortez, which are similar to Tahitian pearls, but these are extremely rare and you won’t always come across them.
If you’re looking for pure luxury and an eye-catching look, think South Sea or Tahitian. For more traditional (and affordable) pearl necklaces, go with Akoya and freshwater.
Pearl Size:
Pearl sizes can totally change the look of your pearl necklace. Pearls range from 2.0mm to 20.0mm.
- You can opt for a single large pearl rather than an entire strand. This could be a cost-effective and stylish option.
- Large, oversized pearls are perfect for a dramatic statement. They also lend themselves well to stylish, modern designs.
- Graduated pearl strands are painstaking to make and are beautiful, celebrating different pearl sizes. They also look elegant and stylish, gently guiding the eye to the front of the necklace and enhancing the neckline.
Pearl Shape:
The perfect round sphere might be the classic pearl shape, but there’s much more than that on the market.
Kiera Knightley wearing baroque pearls
Irregular shapes like oval, drop, button, stick (BIWA) and baroque are some shapes out there that are unique. These pearls offer something different to the traditional pearl and there are so many ways to style them.
Pick an Amazing Design
You might be thinking, no thanks… pearls are too traditional for my liking but there are many unique designs that offer you something new and break the rules we associate with pearl necklaces.
Think beyond the pearl strand. Some ideas are:
- Floating lockets with pearls inside
- Single baroque pendant
- Multicolor pearl strand
- Rice pearl layered strands
- Lariat pearl necklace
Consider Your Neckline
The neckline of your top or dress will impact how you style your pearl necklace. Here are some tips:
- If you’re wearing a crew neckline, a choker or princess strand will match perfectly. It’ll provide perfect balance, enhancing your neckline in a casual way.
- For a plunging neckline or V-neck, think princess length. A longer strand might get lost within the neckline and not stand out.
- For strapless tops or dresses, you could layer up the strands to balance out the look with 14- to 20-inch length necklaces. However, longer necklaces will fall elegantly over the start of the dress and add a touch of elegance to it.
- If you’re wearing a turtleneck or cowl neckline, longer necklaces add movement, elongate the torso and give balance. Think matinee, opera or even an endless strand.
Pearl Necklaces for Different Occasions
Yes, pearls have a sophisticated, dressed up look to them but they go well with almost any outfit. Here’s how to style your pearl necklace based on the occasion:
Pearls for Everyday Wear
Why save your pearls only for special occasions? Plus, if you wear your pearls regularly, they tend to look their most lustrous.
Wear your pearls when going shopping or on a casual day out with friends. They’re so versatile they’ll fit in every time and add a bit of sophistication and glamor to even the most basic outfit.
Layer the pearl strands for an effortlessly chic look. Colored pearls are also perfect to add some fun and funk to your style.
Pearls for Office or Workwear
For the office, you probably want to keep it understated and classy. Think classic strands that suit the neckline of your clothes. Add some pearl studs to complete the look.
Too many layers may look too busy and overdressed for work, depending on what you do and your personal style.
Pearls for Evening Events
For an evening even where you want glamor, layered pearl necklaces can instantly elevate your image.
If you’re attire is a solid color, then statement pearl jewelry will bring a beautiful contrast and stand-out against the color of your clothes. You can opt for more eye-catching pearl varieties like Golden South Sea pearls that add luxury and glamor to your look or choose a multicolor layer for a dash of color.
If your clothes are already heavily embellished, then go with smaller pearl jewelry to balance the overall look. A single or double layer of smaller pearls will look classy and not appear too busy.
Wrapping Up….
Pearl necklaces are so versatile that they are the perfect jewelry investment. If you’re looking for a piece of jewelry that goes with almost any attire and just about any occasion, look no further. They’re a jewelry staple and the easiest way to style up and look glamorous! So what are you waiting for?
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