And Around It Goes: 20 Ways to Wear a Lariat

The lariat necklace has risen to new heights of popularity, due to its appearance on Hollywood stars such as Olivia Wilde, Cameron Diaz, Anne Hathaway and others. As the jewelry company Stella and Dot discovered with their Zoe Lariat Necklace, this type of necklace is a marvelous way to embrace elegance that's a little out of the ordinary.

This necklace style first became immensely popular during the Roaring Twenties, when women of fashion would wear long strands of pearls without a clasp, ending them with tassels or embellished drops.

And now the lariat is back, with a fresh updated look that's a little SoHo, a little sparkle and a whole lot of stylish.

What's a Lariat Necklace?

A lariat necklace is a long line or string of materials--usually measuring between 30 to 50 inches--without a clasp or closure on either end. Each end of the length is often completed with a decorative element such as a drop or tassel, instead. Some end with scarf findings, feathers, wire-wrapped components or other eye-catching details.

This length and clasp-free state gives jewelry lovers style options they can’t experience with other styles.

How to Wear the Lariat

This versatility increases with the length of the lariat, which is why most stylists recommend making a lariat necklace a minimum of 30 inches long. One common length appears to be 42 inches (approximately 107cm), as characterized by the popular Zoe Lariat necklace by Stella and Dot. Additional length also increases a designer's opportunity to sell their pieces to a range of customer sizes.

Here's a list of 20 ways to wear a lariat:

1. Drape This is the absolute basic way to wear a lariat, just drape or hang it around the back of your neck so both ends dangle down the front. This style can also be worn with the ends dangling down the back, giving a look vaguely reminiscent of reins.

2. Flip Create the Drape, then cross the dangling ends and flip them over each other loosely. The weight of the embellishments at the ends should keep this in place. Again, this can be worn with the flip to the front or dangling down the spine.

3. Wrap Building on the Drape, the Wrap coils once around the neck, with both ends dangling down the front. The single wrap can rest on the collarbones, or higher on the neck as a choker. Wear with the ends down the front--or down the back!

4. Wrap Flip Create the Wrap, then flip the dangling ends over each other loosely as you would in the Flip. Adjust it low on the collarbones or in the décolletage--or high on the neck like a choker.

5. Overhand Knot or "Flapper Style" Create the Wrap, then tie the dangling ends together with a loose overhand knot. Again, this can be worn with the knot to the front or dangling down the spine.

6. Loop Knot Create the Drape, then make a loose, open loop in one end of the lariat. Pass the other end through the loop, then tug into place to tighten. Wear either to the front or back.

7. Bow Just like tying your shoelaces! Tie a knot and let the bow dangle. It almost looks like a big tassel on its own.

8. Loop Fold the lariat in half, then drape around the neck so the loop hangs on one side and the ends hang on the other. Insert both ends through the loop and adjust snugness up the neck. Can be worn on the collarbones--either straight down the front or off to the side--or high on the neck like a choker. Wear with the ends down the front--or down the back!

9. Pretzel Create the Loop, then insert one end through as you would in the loop. The other end passes back through the loop from the opposite side, so they dangle down each side of the loop. The strands cross over like a pretzel.

10. Long or Chain Create the Drape, then gently knot the ends together. Put the knot around the back of the neck to give the appearance of a long continuous strand or chain.

11. Pendant Double-Strand Create the Double-Strand or Layer, then pin a brooch over the front and center of the lower loop--or add a pendant using a bead hanger, pearl enhancer or any other removable bail. Some brooches can be attached over both strands together. Add two smaller brooches for the appearance of a double necklace. Adjust the two strands according to preference, only keep the knot in the back.

12. Tie Across the Forehead , 1970s style, and let the long ends dangle down the back or at the temple.

13. Tie Around the Head, pass under the hair and knot at the nape of the neck.

14. Tie Around the Head over the hair and knot loosely at the back of the head.

15. Wrap Around the Wrist, then tuck each end under the preceding loop for a memory wire bracelet look.

16. Wrap Most of the Length Around the Wrist, then create the Flip, Loop Knot or Pretzel around the wrist instead of the neck. Let the ends dangle.

17. Drape Around Middle Finger, then cross over back of hand to wrist. Wrap around wrist and tie off length with a Flip, Loop Knot or Pretzel.

18. Armband Create the Flip, Loop Knot or Pretzel around the upper arm instead of the neck.

19. Belt Create the Flip, Loop Knot or Pretzel around the waist instead of the neck.

20. Anklet Any way a lariat can be worn as a bracelet, it can also be worn as an anklet--including wrapping around one toe like barefoot sandals. (Also called soleless sandals!)

Versatility, adaptability and creativity--they're what makes the lariat an increasingly popular jewelry style. Be sure to add lariats to your jewelry stock and you'll loop in customers.