What is a sautoir?
Sautoir A tassel is a very long necklace (usually 80 to 120 centimeters) that hangs loosely below the bust or reaches the waist. Its main design feature is the addition of an accent decorative element at the end. This element can be a voluminous tassel made of silk thread or beads, a large metal pendant, a faceted gemstone, or fringe.
The sautoir gained widespread popularity in the 1920s during the Art Deco era. Its elongated shape perfectly accentuated the straight, low-waisted dresses typical of the flapper style. Traditionally, these necklaces are made from natural or cultured pearls, gold and silver chains, glass beads, and semi-precious stones.
Main types
Tassel jewelry is a classic Jazz Age design. These pieces feature a long strand of beads or pearls culminating in a voluminous tassel made of silk or fine metal chain.
The simple pearl strands popularized by Coco Chanel may lack a massive pendant. Their main feature is their extreme length, allowing the necklace to be tied in a loose knot on the chest.
A separate category is made up of transformable sautoirs. These are functional jewelry pieces with removable pendants or hidden clasps. They can be worn as a classic long necklace, looped around the neck several times as a choker, or worn on the wrist as a layered bracelet.
There are also backless sautoirs, designed specifically to be worn backwards. In these styles, the main decorative element descends down the bare back, highlighting the dress's plunging neckline.
What to combine with
For evening looks, a sautoir complements dresses with a deep V-neckline. If the dress is backless, the piece is draped over the back, highlighting the neckline and posture.
For casual and business attire, a long chain with a minimalist pendant is worn over a solid turtleneck or a closed blouse. This creates a clear vertical line that visually elongates the silhouette. When paired with a jacket, the sautoir is worn inside an unbuttoned or semi-unbuttoned structured blazer over a basic silk lingerie top.
Sautoirs are great for creating layering. A long necklace can be paired with shorter neck pieces—thin chains, chokers, or neck pendants—to create a complex texture in the portrait area.
