To style a lariat necklace, give its descending chain room to show. Follow a V-neck, frame it with an open shirt collar, wear it over a plain tee, pair it with a shorter necklace, or let it stand alone with an evening neckline. The key is placement: keep the drop visible rather than caught at the edge of your clothing.
Our starting point is the Tatum Convertible Lariat Chain Necklace. Its medium paperclip chain and pavรฉ serpent charm-keeper clasp bring a little personality to a simple outfit. Below are five styling ideas, not five different mechanical conversions. Pick the look that works for your clothes and use Tatum's intended wearing configuration.
Before you style: set up your Tatum lariat
Tatum can be worn as a classic chain or styled as a lariat. To create the lariat, attach the extra chain length to the serpent ring, as described in the product details. Use its intended attachment points; you don't need to knot the chain or force it through a fitting.
Gold comes in 17- and 20-inch chain lengths, while silver comes in a 17-inch length. Each includes a built-in 1.5-inch extender. These are chain measurements, not a promised measurement for the finished lariat drop. Placement depends on your fit and configuration.
New to the silhouette? Our guide to what a lariat necklace is and how to wear it covers the basics. Here, we're focusing on the outfit.
1. Follow the line of a V-neck
The outfit: A V-neck knit or simple V-neck top.
How to style it: Position the lariat detail at the front and let the descending chain echo the opening of the neckline. Check that the focal detail sits clearly against your skin or clearly over the fabric rather than disappearing at the edge.
Make it yours: Keep the earrings small if you want the necklace to lead. If the drop and the neckline compete, change your top or switch Tatum to its classic-chain configuration instead of forcing the placement.
2. Frame it with an open button-down
The outfit: A white shirt and jeans, or a relaxed button-down with tailored trousers.
How to style it: Leave the collar open enough to reveal the necklace, then arrange the lariat down the center. Keep the descending chain free of the shirt placket so it doesn't stay hidden between the buttons.
Make it yours: Roll the sleeves and let the chain be the polished detail. Before heading out, sit down and turn your shoulders to see whether the necklace stays visible with the way you actually move.
3. Let it stand out over a plain tee
The outfit: A solid crewneck tee with denim, a skirt, or a blazer.
How to style it: Try the lariat over the fabric so the vertical chain becomes the focal point. A plain background gives the paperclip links and pavรฉ serpent detail room to read.
Make it yours: Check the placement before committing to the look. If your chosen length leaves the lariat detail tucked into the crewneck, try a lower neckline or wear Tatum as a classic chain. Not every length works over every tee.
4. Build a two-necklace stack
The outfit: A simple open neckline with room for two distinct layers.
How to style it: Pair the lariat with a shorter, simpler necklace. Leave enough visible space that the upper chain doesn't cross the lariat's focal point or descend into its path. Start with two pieces rather than building a full stack immediately.
Make it yours: Keep one focal point. If both necklaces have prominent pendants, choose a simpler upper layer or let Tatum stand alone. Move around and check the front and back for crossed chains.
For practical spacing and storage tips, read How to Layer Necklaces Without Tangling. Layering can still twist with movement; no combination is guaranteed tangle-free.
5. Make it the finishing touch for evening
The outfit: A simple dress or evening top with an uncluttered neckline.
How to style it: Let Tatum be the only necklace. Center the lariat detail and check that the full drop is visible against the outfit. You don't need extra layers to make it feel dressed up.
Make it yours: Try smaller earrings for a quieter finish, or add a clip-on charm at Tatum's serpent ring for a personal focal point. Tatum also accommodates charms along the chain. Add one first and check the balance rather than assuming more is better.
Shop the Tatum Convertible Lariat Chain Necklace
Quick checks before you head out
Look in the mirror standing and sitting. Is the drop visible? Is it catching on the neckline? Are the attachment points closed? If you're layering, can you see each necklace separately? A small outfit adjustment can make more difference than adding another piece.
For a travel wardrobe, choose the looks that work with clothes you're already packing. Our travel jewelry guide explores how convertible pieces can do more in a smaller jewelry case.
Lariat styling FAQs
What neckline works with a lariat necklace?
An open collar or V-neck is an easy starting point because it gives the descending chain space. A crewneck can work with the necklace over the fabric if the fit allows. Choose based on where your actual necklace sits, not the neckline name alone.
Should you wear a lariat necklace alone or layered?
Either works. Wear it alone for a clear focal point, or add a shorter, simpler chain with visible separation. If the chains keep crossing or the details compete, simplify the stack.
Can you wear a lariat necklace casually?
Yes. Try it with a plain tee or open button-down. A lariat is a silhouette, not a dress code; your outfit and the way you style the other jewelry set the mood.
Can Tatum be worn without the lariat drop?
Yes. Tatum can also be worn as a classic paperclip chain. Its convertible design lets you choose a different configuration when a particular neckline doesn't work with the descending chain.
Can you wear Tatum backward for a back-drop look?
The product details describe classic-chain and lariat styling, not a dedicated back-drop configuration. This guide sticks to the stated wearing options rather than recommending an unconfirmed conversion.
One chain. Five outfit ideas. Start with the neckline, give the drop some space, and let Tatum do the rest.