How to Wear a Lariat Necklace: 6 Ties and Necklines

A lariat is one of the designer necklaces with no clasp: a long length of chain, cord and beads that you wear by draping, wrapping, knotting and threading one end through a loop, so it falls into a Y shape at the front. To wear a lariat necklace, choose the tie that suits your neckline, let the drop land at the centre of the body and keep earrings and rings in the same metal so the whole look reads as one. The newest example at Zimmermann at Coveti is a wrap cord style set with natural stones.

By Coveti Editorial. How we research and write: our editorial and AI policy.

That piece is the Zimmermann Ore Lariat Necklace in chocolate and mustard, a wrap cord necklace with natural obsidian and jasper stones and 12kt gold plated brass detailing, in a wrap around style with no clasp. We use it to show the ties below, alongside earrings, a ring and a bracelet from the same house. For a neckline that suits a lariat beautifully, see our sibling guide on how to style a polo dress, where an open placket gives the drop room to fall.

Key facts

• A lariat necklace has no clasp; it stays on because it is tied, wrapped and threaded.
• The classic lariat shape is a Y, with the tails hanging at the centre front.
• Open necklines such as a V neck, a scoop and an open collar give a lariat the most room.
• Because there is no clasp, a lariat adjusts in length to every neckline you own.
• The Zimmermann Ore Lariat Necklace is set with natural obsidian and jasper stones on a wrap cord, with 12kt gold plated brass detailing.

What is a lariat necklace?

A lariat necklace is a long, open ended necklace with no clasp, worn by wrapping it around the neck and securing it with a knot, a loop and a slide, so the ends hang down the front. The name comes from the rancher’s rope, and the principle is the same: a length you loop and tie. Some lariats end in a ring at one end that the other end passes through; others are a simple cord with weighted ends that you knot yourself.

The appeal is control. A pendant hangs where the chain decides; a lariat hangs where you tie it. Shorten it into a choker for a high neckline, let it fall low over a deep V, wrap it twice for a collar of stones. One piece covers the jobs of three.

How is a lariat different from a pendant and a choker?

A lariat differs in how it fastens and how it falls: a pendant hangs a single focal point from a closed chain, a choker sits tight at the base of the neck, and a lariat can be tied to either position and every length between. The table compares them.

How do you tie a lariat necklace?

Tie a lariat by first finding the centre of its length and placing it at the back of your neck, then bringing both ends forward and choosing a tie. Each method below changes the length and the shape, so try them in front of a mirror before you dress.

1. The simple drape. Hang the lariat around the neck with both ends falling to the same length down the front. This is the longest, softest shape and suits a deep V.
2. The single knot. Bring the ends together at the breastbone and tie one loose knot. The ends hang below in a Y. Move the knot higher for a shorter Y.
3. The loop through. Fold the lariat in half, place the fold at the back of the neck, bring both ends forward and pass them through the loop made by the fold. Pull gently to set the height. This is the most secure everyday tie.
4. The double wrap. Wrap the lariat twice around the neck, then knot the ends at the front with short tails. This turns a long lariat into a collar and suits high and round necklines.
5. The back drop. Drape the lariat at the front and tie the ends at the nape so the tails fall down the back. Wear it with a low back dress for evening.
6. The wrist wrap. On a fine, soft cord, wind the lariat several times around the wrist and knot it as a bracelet.

Weighted ends, such as stones, help a lariat hang straight. If the ends twist, tie the knot a little looser so the stones can turn and settle.

Which necklines suit a lariat necklace?

Open necklines suit a lariat best, because the drop has bare skin to fall against; high necklines work too, with a shorter, wrapped tie. Match the tie to the neckline with this guide.

The deep V is the natural partner. The Lace Trim Tee in black has a deep V neckline with scalloped lace trim and long fitted sleeves in cotton; a lariat dropped to the point of the V finishes it. The Clash Merino Lace V Neck Top in bottle green has a scalloped V neckline in lightweight merino wool knit, and the chocolate and mustard colourway of the Ore lariat reads warmly against the green.

Some necklines already do the work of a necklace. The Clash Embellished Blouse is a velvet blouse with a stand collar and intricate embellished trim at the neckline, and the Merino Tie Neck Sweater in ivory has a gathered neckline and a fixed necktie. Leave the throat bare on both and let the earrings carry the jewellery.

How do you layer a lariat with other jewellery?

Layer a lariat by letting it lead and keeping everything else smaller and in the same metal family, so the eye reads one composition. A lariat already has length and movement; two long necklaces at once tend to tangle and compete.

• Earrings. With a long drop at the neck, an elongated earring balances the line. The Wish Dangles combine baroque pearls and African Jade in 16KT gold plated brass with an elongated dangle silhouette and stud fastening.
• A ring. One sculptural ring on the hand that is not wearing a bracelet. The Volute Cocktail Ring is a pearl encrusted design in 16KT gold plated brass set with freshwater pearl.
• A bracelet. Repeat a stone from the lariat on the wrist. The Bloom Bracelet sets clusters of black obsidian stones in a floral design of 12k gold plated brass, echoing the obsidian in the Ore lariat.
• A short chain. If you want two necklaces, add a fine chain that sits well above the lariat knot, never at the same height.

Our guide on how to wear a beaded necklace covers stone heavy layering further, and the Zimmermann jewellery and scarves guide sets these pieces in the context of the house.

What stones are used in lariat necklaces?

Lariats are made in everything from fine gold chain to beads, pearls and natural stones, and the stone sets the mood. Three appear across the jewellery in this drop, and it helps to know them by sight.

• Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass, typically glossy black. It reads graphic and evening, and pairs well with black clothes and gold.
• Jasper is an opaque stone found in earthy colours such as brown, red, ochre and mustard. It reads warm and suits camel, olive, ivory and green.
• Pearl forms inside a mollusc. Baroque pearls are irregular in shape, which gives each piece its own outline, and freshwater pearls come from freshwater molluscs.

Stones of this kind can scratch and chip, so store each piece in its own pouch. Gold plated brass is a thin layer of gold over a brass base, and it lasts longest when kept away from perfume, lotion and water: put jewellery on last and take it off first.

How do you wear a lariat necklace with a dress?

Wear a lariat with a dress by matching the drop to the neckline and the stones to the colour of the cloth. With the Clash Asymmetric Midi Dress, which has an off the shoulder neckline with gold tone hardware, a double wrap sits at the base of the neck and frames the bare shoulders, and the gold detailing on the lariat answers the hardware on the dress. On a dress with a V neck, let the lariat fall long. On a collared dress, unbutton the top of the placket and loop the lariat through so the knot sits in the opening. For more on lace and evening dresses that suit fine jewellery, see our guide to Zimmermann lace dresses.

The pieces at a glance

How we measured: prices are read from the Coveti catalogue and compositions from the house composition on each Zimmermann product page. Sizes are the sizes Zimmermann showed in stock on 6 November 2026, given in UK sizes (Zimmermann 0 is a UK 8) and in EU sizes for shoes. Stock moves daily, so the product page is the final word.

Lariat necklaces around the world

United States. Coveti prices every piece in US dollars. Zimmermann runs boutiques on Madison Avenue, in the Meatpacking District and in SoHo in New York.

United Kingdom. Coveti lists every piece in UK sizes. In London the house has boutiques on Bruton Street and Sloane Street.

Europe. In Paris Zimmermann sells from rue François 1er, the Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Galeries Lafayette. Sizes convert directly: a UK 10 is an EU 36.

Gulf. The first Middle East boutique opened at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai in 2024, followed by Atlantis The Royal, The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, The Avenues in Kuwait and Marassi Galleria in Bahrain. Our Zimmermann guide for the UAE and Saudi Arabia covers the region.

Boutique locations are from the house and trade press, checked October 2026. Shipping terms are in the Coveti logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

What is a lariat necklace?

A lariat necklace is a long necklace with no clasp. You wear it by draping, knotting and threading one end through a loop so it falls in a Y shape at the front.

How do you keep a lariat necklace in place?

Use the loop through tie: fold the lariat in half, place the fold at the back of the neck and pass both ends through the loop. Weighted ends, such as stones, also help it hang straight.

What neckline is best for a lariat necklace?

A V neck is the classic choice, because the drop can fall to the point of the V. Scoop necks, open collars and strapless styles also suit a lariat.

Can you wear a lariat necklace with a high neckline?

Yes, with a double wrap that turns the lariat into a short collar. Skip it with stand collars and tie necks that already carry detail at the throat.

What stones are in the Zimmermann Ore Lariat Necklace?

Zimmermann describes natural obsidian and jasper stones on a wrap cord, with 12kt gold plated brass detailing. It is a wrap around style with no clasp.

How do you care for a gold plated lariat necklace?

Keep gold plated brass away from perfume, lotion and water, put it on last and take it off first. Store it in its own pouch so stones do not scratch.

Curated by the Coveti Studio.