A necklace can be the piece you reach for every morning, the finishing touch for an important occasion or a gift that holds a lasting memory. From fine chains and meaningful pendants to colourful gemstones and light-catching tennis necklaces, there is a style for every personality, wardrobe and moment.
The best place to begin is not with what is trending, but with what feels right for the wearer. Consider when the necklace will be worn, the jewellery they already love, the metal they naturally gravitate towards and whether they prefer subtle detail or a statement piece.
This guide will help you make a confident choice—whether you are choosing something for yourself or someone special.
Which Necklace Style is Right for You?
A necklace should fit naturally into the wearer’s life. A delicate chain or small pendant can become an everyday signature, while a more decorative collarette, gemstone design or tennis necklace may be chosen to mark an occasion. If you are buying a gift, take a moment to notice the jewellery they already wear: do they favour warm yellow gold, cool-toned silver, classic pieces or modern statement designs?
Everyday Necklace Styles
For everyday wear, choose a fine chain, simple pendant, locket or understated stone-set design that will sit comfortably with shirts, knitwear and casual looks.
Chain necklaces
A chain necklace is one of the most versatile pieces of jewellery to own. It can be worn alone, layered with other necklaces or used to carry a pendant. The link style changes the overall look: fine chains feel delicate and understated, while curb, rope, belcher, Figaro and anchor chains add texture and character.
How to wear it: Choose a fine chain for everyday styling, or let a wider link become the focal point of a simple outfit.
Best for: Everyday wear, layering and building a flexible jewellery collection.
If you are choosing a chain to wear regularly—or one that will carry a pendant—it is worth considering its weight, links and clasp. Read our guide to choosing a high-quality chain for practical advice.
Pendant necklaces
Pendant necklaces feature a central design suspended from a chain. This might be a heart, initial, cross, gemstone, diamond or another meaningful motif, making the style easy to personalise.
How to wear it: An 18-inch pendant necklace is a versatile choice for everyday outfits. Wear it alone for a simple look or place it between a shorter chain and a longer necklace when layering.
Best for: Personal style, everyday jewellery and thoughtful gifts.
T-Bar necklaces
A T-bar necklace makes the fastening part of the design. The bar-and-ring detail is often worn at the front, creating a modern focal point without the need for a traditional pendant.
How to wear it: Wear a T-bar necklace with an open shirt, plain crew-neck knit or simple dress. Keep the rest of the jewellery understated so the fastening remains visible.
Best for: Contemporary everyday styling and a subtle statement look.
Extender necklaces
An extender is a practical feature that gives a necklace additional length. It can help you change where the necklace sits, create more space between layers or adapt a design to different necklines.
How to wear it: Shorten the necklace for a high neckline, or add length when wearing a pendant or building a layered look.
Best for: Gifting, layering and improving flexibility.
Explore adjustable necklace styles
Meaningful Necklace Styles
For a meaningful gift, a locket, cross, St Christopher pendant or birthstone-inspired design can make the choice feel personal from the start.
Locket necklaces
A locket is a pendant with space for a photograph, note or small memento. Its appeal comes from the personal story it can hold, making it a thoughtful choice for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, family gifts and remembrance.
How to wear it: Let the locket remain the focal point by wearing it with a simple blouse, knitwear or dress. Avoid placing several large pendants around it.
Best for: Sentimental gifting and meaningful everyday jewellery.
Cross necklaces
Cross necklaces can be chosen for faith, family tradition, personal meaning or their enduring design. They are available in understated styles as well as more decorative gold, silver, diamond and gemstone designs.
How to wear it: Choose a small cross on a fine chain for discreet everyday wear. Larger or stone-set crosses usually work best worn alone as the main feature.
Best for: Meaningful gifts, religious milestones and personal style.
St Christopher necklaces
St Christopher jewellery is traditionally associated with protection and safe travel. It is often chosen as a keepsake for someone travelling, moving home, starting a new job, graduating or beginning another important chapter.
How to wear it: A smaller St Christopher pendant suits everyday wear, while a larger medallion creates a stronger statement. Choose the chain style and metal according to the wearer’s existing jewellery.
Best for: Travel gifts, good-luck keepsakes and milestone occasions.
Discover St Christopher jewellery
Statement Necklace Styles
For a refined statement, consider a choker, collarette or tennis necklace that brings sparkle or stronger presence to an outfit.
Choker Necklaces
A choker is a short necklace that sits close to the base of the neck, generally around 14–16 inches. It may be delicate and minimal or more decorative with stones, pearls or a central feature.
How to wear it: Chokers work well with scoop necks, V-necks, boat necks and off-the-shoulder styles. They also make a natural first layer when styling multiple necklaces.
Best for: Open necklines, layering and close-fitting style.
Collarette necklaces
A collarette is a wider, decorative necklace that sits high on the neck and creates a collar-like effect. It is more substantial than a simple choker and is designed to be noticed.
How to wear it: Pair a collarette with a simple open neckline or plain outfit. Keep earrings and other jewellery refined so the necklace remains the focus.
Best for: Special occasions, eveningwear and statement styling.
Discover collarette necklace styles
Tennis necklaces
A tennis necklace features a continuous line of stones or crystals around the neckline. It creates elegant sparkle and may feature diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, crystals or coloured stones, depending on the design.
How to wear it: Wear a tennis necklace alone with an open neckline, eveningwear or a simple tailored outfit. If you layer it, choose one very fine necklace at a clearly different length.
Best for: Weddings, celebrations, evening occasions and elevated everyday styling.
Colour and Sparkle
For style and individuality, consider gemstone necklaces or stone-set necklaces that bring colour, light and boldness to a jewellery collection. You may be drawn to a particular stone because it is a favourite colour, reflects a birth month or anniversary, or complements other pieces you already wear.
Gemstone necklaces
Gemstone necklaces bring colour and personality to a jewellery collection. You may choose a gemstone because it is a favourite colour, relates to a birth month or anniversary, or complements jewellery you already wear.
How to wear it: Let a coloured gemstone be the main feature. Pair it with simple earrings or a fine chain rather than another bold piece.
Best for: Birthdays, anniversaries, colour-led styling and personal gifts.
Stone-set necklaces
Stone-set necklaces are designed with diamonds, gemstones, crystals or cubic zirconia. Some are delicate enough for everyday wear, while others create more sparkle for special occasions.
How to wear it: Choose a fine stone-set pendant for subtle daytime sparkle, or a more detailed design for eveningwear. Always check the product details to understand the stone, metal and setting.
Best for: Adding sparkle, occasion dressing and elegant gifts.
How to Find the Right Necklace Length
Length changes the entire look of a necklace. It determines where a pendant sits, how the piece works with different necklines and whether it will layer comfortably with other jewellery. The measurements below are helpful guidelines, but the most reliable approach is to measure a necklace the wearer already enjoys or use a piece of string to test the preferred position.
For a gift, a short-to-mid-length necklace with an adjustable fastening can be a reassuring choice. If the necklace includes a pendant, allow for the extra drop it creates when deciding on the best length.
How to style and layer necklaces
Layering lets you wear familiar pieces in a fresh way, but the most successful looks leave enough room for each necklace to be seen. Begin with two necklaces rather than several, then build gradually once you know which lengths work together.
- - Start short. Use a choker style necklace or fine short chain as the first layer.
- - Create space. Choose different lengths, leaving a visible gap between chains wherever possible.
- - Mix textures. Pair a smooth fine chain with a rope, curb or belcher link for contrast.
- - Choose one feature. If one necklace has a gemstone, locket, cross, St Christopher pendant or T-bar clasp, keep the remaining layers simpler.
- - Use an extender. A small adjustment in length can make layers appear more balanced and help reduce tangling.
Frequently asked questions
What necklace length is most versatile?
An 18-inch necklace is often one of the most flexible choices because it generally sits around the collarbone and works with pendants, fine chains and many everyday necklines. The ideal fit varies, so measuring a favourite necklace is always useful.
What is the difference between a necklace and a pendant?
A necklace is the complete item worn around the neck, including a chain or strand. A pendant is the decorative element that hangs from a chain. A pendant can be sold with a chain or chosen separately.
How do I choose a necklace as a gift?
Look at the recipient’s current jewellery for clues about their preferred metal, length and style. If you are unsure, an adjustable chain or a simple pendant at a versatile length is a thoughtful place to start.
What does a St Christopher necklace mean?
St Christopher jewellery is traditionally associated with protection and safe travel. It is often given as a keepsake for travel, new beginnings and significant milestones.
Find a necklace to make your own at T.H.Baker
There is no single right way to choose a necklace. A fine chain may become an everyday favourite; a gemstone pendant can bring colour and character; and a locket, cross or St Christopher can carry a story. Begin with the wearer, the occasion and the way the necklace will be worn, then choose the piece that feels most natural to reach for time and again.
Explore the T.H.Baker necklace collection to discover gold and silver chains, pendants, gemstone designs, meaningful keepsakes and occasion-ready styles.
