Long Silver Necklace Guide: Length, Pendants and Layering
A long silver necklace looks best when the pendant lands about a hand's width below the edge of your neckline. That one rule answers most questions about length, and it works just as well over a chunky jumper as over a plain tee.
Ours are fashion jewellery with a silver-tone finish, mostly on fine snake chains, and most sit at around £20. They are made to be worn every day and swapped with your outfit, rather than kept in a box for best.
At a glance
- Aim for the pendant to sit a hand's width below your neckline
- Use the extender to drop it lower over higher necks and knits
- Wear one statement pendant, or layer two chains at different lengths
- Our long necklaces are silver-tone fashion jewellery, not sterling silver
- Matt finishes show fewer fingerprints than polished ones
- How long should a long silver necklace be?
- Choosing a long pendant necklace
- How to layer two long necklaces
- Silver-tone, matt and sterling: what the words mean
- Frequently asked questions
How long should a long silver necklace be?
Most of our long necklaces are listed at between 38 and 51cm including the pendant, with an extender of 5 to 7cm. The extender is the useful part. It lets one necklace sit a little higher over an open neck and lower over a roll neck.
- Crew or high round neck: let the pendant fall to mid-chest, well clear of the neckline.
- V neck or scoop: keep it a touch shorter, so the pendant sits inside the V rather than over its point.
- Roll neck or chunky knit: open the extender fully, because the extra drop stops the pendant disappearing into the texture.
Knitwear is where a long necklace earns the most wear. Try one over a plain jumper from our knitwear collection and it changes the whole outfit with no effort at all.
Choosing a long pendant necklace
A long pendant necklace gives you one focal point, which is exactly why it is so easy to wear. The shape of the pendant sets the mood far more than the chain does.
- Hearts: the Mable carries seven small open hearts along its chain and reads as soft and pretty.
- Hammered discs: the Tiff stacks three shiny hammered discs that catch the light as you move.
- Single drops: the Sherri's matt balloon drop is the quietest of the lot, ideal for every day.
Scale matters too. Save the bigger pendants for plain tops, because over a busy print a large piece ends up competing with the pattern. Small, simple drops are the ones to reach for with florals and stripes.
How to layer two long necklaces
Layering works when the two necklaces sit at clearly different points. A gap of around 5 to 8cm keeps the pendants from tangling and gives each one its own space.
- Start with a shorter piece near the collarbone, then add the long silver necklace below it.
- Keep the metals matching, or use a mixed piece like the Suki gold and silver square to bridge them.
- Let one necklace be the statement and keep the other plain.
The Deanna above is shown with a shorter necklace for exactly this reason. Two oval drops hang from a hammered circle, so it holds its own against a second layer without looking crowded.
Silver-tone, matt and sterling: what the words mean
Our long necklaces are fashion jewellery with a silver-tone finish, not sterling silver. That keeps them at a price where you can own a few and change them with your outfit.
Matt silver has a soft, brushed look that sits nicely against wool and cotton. It also shows fewer fingerprints than a polished finish. Shiny and hammered pieces catch more light, so they come into their own on evenings out and with plainer outfits.
- Put your necklace on after perfume and hand cream, not before.
- Take it off before swimming, showering or the gym.
- Store it hanging, or laid out flat, so the chain doesn't knot.
If you are looking for sterling silver specifically, our guide to sterling silver drop earrings explains how to tell the two apart. You'll find more pieces across our jewellery collection.
Frequently asked questions
What length is a long silver necklace?
In our range, most long silver necklaces are listed at between 38 and 51cm including the pendant, with a 5 to 7cm extender for adjusting the drop. On most people that puts the pendant somewhere around mid-chest. Check the listed length on each product page and use the extender to fine-tune it against the neckline you wear most. If you are unsure, give us a ring and we will measure one for you.
Are your long silver necklaces real silver?
No. Our long necklaces are fashion jewellery with a silver-tone finish, chosen to be worn often and styled freely. That is why most sit at around £20, so you can have a few for different outfits. If you need sterling silver, look for 925 on the product page, which is the sterling mark. Anything in this range described as silver, silver look or matt silver is a fashion finish.
Can you wear a long silver necklace with a roll neck?
Yes, and it is one of the best ways to wear one. Open the extender fully so the pendant falls well below the fold of the neck, otherwise it gets lost in the knit. A slightly larger pendant, such as hammered discs or an open heart, holds its own against chunky texture better than a tiny drop. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the necklace do the work.
How do I layer long necklaces without them tangling?
Leave a clear gap of around 5 to 8cm between the two pendants, so they hang at different points rather than knocking together. Chains of a different weight also help, because a finer chain slides over a heavier one instead of catching on it. Fasten the shorter necklace first and the longer one second, then check the clasps are both at the back of your neck.
How do I keep a silver-tone necklace looking good?
Keep it away from water, perfume and creams, which are the main things that dull a fashion finish. Put your necklace on last when you get dressed and take it off first when you get home. Store it hanging or laid flat in a box, so the chain doesn't knot or scratch against other pieces. A soft dry cloth is all it needs for a wipe over.
Written by Gina Paskins
Gina co-owns Sugarplum Boutique & Home on Fleet Road in Hampshire. She helps choose everything that comes into the shop, and cares most that you leave feeling like yourself in it.
