If you grew up in the 90s, you’ll know first hand the staple nature of a choker necklace.
Where bohemian aesthetics and club kids collide, the shorter neck adornments have a verstaile aesthetic that is no doubt to thank for the enduring place they’ve held in jewellery trends from the Nineties to the present day.
Worn alone or layered up to create a contemporary stacked look, you can find statement or minimal styles alike that will take you from day to play, dusk to dawn and means you’ll be able to wear for all dress codes, whether it’s that summer wedding, big presentation or date night.
While we are pleased that the braided styles that were ubiquitous in that questionable fashion decade has not resurfaced with the latest penchant for all things 90s (the same cannot be said for low-rise jeans, cargo trousers, slogan tees and belly chains), there are some details that have prevailed.
Pearls are perennially popular, elegant and chic - and modern interpretations take the symbol of purity and give it a contemporary twist with irregular stones or placed alongside colourful details that give a more dramatic feel and eschews its stuffy reputation.
You can never go wrong with a touch of sparkle and dazzling diamond adornments have a way of giving your jewellery look evening appeal. Look also to personal touches, whether that’s initial charms or birthstones that make for easy gifting wins that feel sentimental and bespoke without the price tag that usually goes hand in hand with this service.
Candy raver enamel designs are playful eye-popping finishing touches to any all-black attire and bring the summer feel, while rosette necklaces have proven to be a celebrity favourite by the likes of Kendall Jenner. Slim gold chain necklaces will forever have a sophisticated, timeless minimalism in your bijoux box.
Shop the best choker necklaces below
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By Alona Gardenia 18kt gold-plated and leather choker
The finishing touch to any warm weather look, this flower corsage-inspired design has taken the classic 90s and Y2K inspired style and brought it to a high fashion place with a feminine feel and luxe polish. The creation from By Alona is made up of a leather cord that adjustable and set with a 3D floral applique in 18k gold plated bronze.
Buy now £120.00, Matches
Vivienne Westwood Orb silver-tone brass and faux-pearl choker necklace
This Gen Z-approved choker comes with Vivienne Westwood’s signature Orb emblem. So popular is the style that you’ll be hard-pressed to find it in stock, so add to basket while you can. With its punk roots, the necklace is still overtly feminine with a string of faux pearls and the gemstone adronment on VW’s emblem.
Buy now £210.00, Selfridges
Roxanne Assoulin A Walk in the Park enamel choker
Enamel jewellery is one of this season’s biggest jewellery trends so it’s no wonder that you’ll find a choker lined with playful, vibrant stones. Roxanne Assoulin is one of the bellwethers of the style and this design is a testament to the label’s mood-boosting prowess. It demonstrates the brand’s motto ‘jewellery to make you smile’ to a tee.
Buy now £150.00, Matches
Crystal Haze Jewelry Gold-plated cubic zirconia necklace
Norweigan label Crystal Haze is likely best known for the gummy bear charms adorning its necklaces, pendants and bracelets, so in comparison this is a more demure offering from the brand.
Yet while opting the minimalist aesthetic of the hugely popular paperclip necklace, in its signature way, it is still bringing intrigue to the equation by adorning each link with glitzy cubic zirconia. Due to the nature of the necklace, you can get creative with the length.
Buy now £139.86, Net-A-Porter
Missoma Flat Snake Chain Necklace
As is so well demonstrated by the impeccable styling, the snake chain (the shortest of the collection) is made from layering. The design has a long celebrity fan base, no doubt due to its versatility. It’s eye-catching yet pared-back and easy to mix and match. This iteration from Missoma is finished with a high shine look.
Buy now £198.00, Missoma
Alighieri La Calliope Pearl Choker Necklace
Alighieri was founded to create modern heirlooms and this choker follows suit. It centres around the timeless adornment of pearls but instead of opting for perfect rows, the necklace features irregular sizes to turn the traditional associations of the gemstone to something imperfect and brimming with character.
Buy now £240.00, Liberty
Gucci GG-link crystal-embellished chain choker
Tap into logomania with this choker from Gucci. The Italian fashion house has created this necklace to resemble an antique piece with its gold tone links but given that high fashion feel with the interlocked G logo and a flower crystal embellishment.
Buy now £525.00, Matches
Alessandra Rich Hearts crystal choker
This party-ready piece will instantly elevate any ensemble to bring it into formal realms. The striking, ornate piece is fun, feminine and flirty, adorning crystals onto romantic heart motifs on a silver drop chain.
Buy now £210.00, Harvey Nichols
Lily & Roo Gold Small Pearl Initial Letter Choker
Give your jewellery collection the personal touch with this initial charm-embellished pearl necklace. Whether you’re gifting yourself or a loved one, it offers a special, bespoke addition and comes in gold or silver.
Buy now £170.00, Lily & Roo
Mejuri Micro-Pave Diamond Riviere Choker White Gold
Not your typical tennis necklace, this choker spotlights circular micro pave diamonds to form the touch of bling your jewellery selection is missing. The necklace is made from 14k solid gold that is set with 412 diamond ranging from 1.05 to 1.25 carats.
Buy now £3900.00, Mejuri
Astrid & Miyu Tennis Necklace in Gold
If you haven’t got the finances to splash out on the tennis necklace above but are still on the hunt for a sparkly finish, Astrid & Miyu may just have the answer with this piece. It swaps diamonds for cubic zirconia and is made for stacking.
Buy now £100.00, Astrid & Miyu
Monica Vinader Heirloom and Snake Chain Pearl Necklace Set
Curating an enviable selection of necklaces isn’t always easy but Monica Vinader will get you well on your way with this twofer. Double the fun, it is made up of what the brand calls the Heirloom, a textured design in a choker fit as well as a snake chain that is adorned with a sustainably-sourced baroque pearl charm.
Buy now £720.00, Monica Vinader
Jenny Bird Ola choker
When the outfit calls for accessories to liven up the look, you’ll be pleased to have this chunky costume choker in your arsenal. It comes from Canadian jewellery designer Jenny Bird with a squiggle design that feels modern and eye-catching yet somehow demure enough for everyday wear.
Buy now £170.00, Harvey Nichols
Missoma Harris Reed In Good Hands Beaded Gemstone Necklace
This necklace is part of the hugely popular collaboration between fashion designer Harris Reed and Instagram-favourite label Missoma. Bringing colour and interesting detailing to your collection, it is set with green gemstones, pearls and what gives the necklace its name ‘In Good Hands’ as the unique finishing touch to a statement style.
Buy now £149.00, Missoma
