Have you ever put on a halter dress, then struggled with whether you should wear your long pendant necklace or a short choker? Does a high-neck dress send you into a spiral over whether or not you can even wear a necklace?

Finding just the right necklace for a dress neckline isn’t always intuitive, but once you learn the formula, you’ll be prepared for anything. Holiday cocktail dress with a dramatic one-shoulder or a summer sundress with a halter neckline, you’ll know just what to pick either way.

Here are five popular dress necklines and exactly how I think about pairing them with necklaces that show off the silhouette of both the dress and the jewelry.

Strapless Dress + Sleek Necklace 

A strapless neckline is an opportunity to showcase your collarbones, and a necklace that falls just below will draw attention in all the right places. I particularly love the Icarus Necklace with a strapless dress because of the way the upturned curve draws the eye straight to your clavicle. It’s a sleek, sculptural look that adds a graceful touch to a strapless style.

High-Neck Dress + Long Pendant Necklace

You can still wear a necklace even with a high neck. From a mock-neck to a turtleneck, the key is to choose a longer length chain with a bold pendant for an elongated, elegant look. Ensure that it extends beyond the neckline, allowing the high-neck to be showcased rather than cut off.

One-Shoulder Dress + Dangle Earrings

This is a trick question! With a one-shoulder dress, the best thing to do is skip the necklace altogether. There are few necklaces that won’t sit awkwardly above it (and you don’t want to spend the entire evening wondering whether it’s caught in the asymmetrical neckline!). Instead choose a pair of earrings that will dangle delicately above this striking neckline. I prefer an earring with some artful interest to draw attention upwards and elongate the neck at the same time.

Halter Dress + Dainty Necklace

A halter dress needs a dainty necklace that will fall within the narrow neckline. Choose something on a delicate chain, like this Aurora Pendant on a Paper Clip Chain, so that it doesn’t distract from the halter and, instead, sits perfectly between the two straps. To add something extra, look for a necklace with a touch of sparkle.

Square-Neck Dress + Charm Necklace

There’s a vintage-inspired vibe to a square-neck dress, so a sweet charm necklace is a lovely addition to show off the nostalgic neckline. Look for something with a slightly larger scale, like the Large Lucia Diamond Necklace, so that it holds its own within the space created by the wide square neck. 

Want more tips on how to style clothing and jewelry? Explore our other style articles!