From Beads to Plastic: 50 Celebrities in Chokers
Lately, chokers have been all over the place: Rihanna wore a bedazzled mock-turtleneck to the Met Gala, Kylie Jenner sported a cannabis charm on a taut black ribbon, Kate Bosworth wore this throwback at Coachella, and the Chanel spring 2014 pearl earphones have become practically ubiquitous. Though all signs point to a resurgence of the favorite necklace of the ‘90s — buoyed along, no doubt, by the overwhelmingly popular Céline fall 2013 choker — the truth is that chokers never really died.
The neck-shortening style may have peaked in the early aughts, but chokers really go as far back as Anne Boleyn’s iconic B necklace, and have been the accessory of choice for many royals, from Marie Antoinette to Victoria to Princess Diana. Handy for both covering hickeys and having your diamonds be super-visible, chokers have long been popular red-carpet wear — which is fortunate, since creative pendants and conspicuous Swarovski consumption make for pretty incredible eye candy.
Click through the slideshow for a look back at the most iconic (and a few regrettable) chokers from the past three decades, from Kate Winslet to Heidi Klum to Miley Cyrus, and more.
Kate Winslet, 1998 Pale makeup, limp updo, and a diamond brooch for the Globes in '98.
Photo: S. Granitz
Tyra Banks, 2000 On-trend for the millennium, Banks paired her sparkly choker with a bikini top.
Drew Barrymore, 1990 Casual hair gel with a flower-power necklace.
Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Time & Life Pictures
Demi Moore, 1993 The short-chained cross around Demi's neck is almost enough to divert attention from the weird cutout around her belly button (a...
Demi Moore, 1993 The short-chained cross around Demi's neck is almost enough to divert attention from the weird cutout around her belly button (and her bralessness).
Princess Diana, 1994 An ardent choker enthusiast, the multi-pearl strand was one of Diana's signature formal looks. Photo: Princess Diana Archiv...
Princess Diana, 1994 An ardent choker enthusiast, the multi-pearl strand was one of Diana's signature formal looks. Photo: Princess Diana Archive/2006 Getty Images
Paris Hilton, 2002 Because this outfit wouldn’t have been sparkly enough without three inches of pure Swarovski around her neck.
Photo: Dave Benett
Cher, 2000 With this gravity-defying gemotric band and stern expression, Cher looks ready to make an elfin cameo in Lord of the Rings.
Photo:...
Cher, 2000 With this gravity-defying gemotric band and stern expression, Cher looks ready to make an elfin cameo in Lord of the Rings.
Photo: S. Granitz
Naomi Campbell, 2003 Paired with futuristic earrings and a lot of hairspray, this metallic choker makes Naomi look like a fancy robot.
Photo: 20...
Naomi Campbell, 2003 Paired with futuristic earrings and a lot of hairspray, this metallic choker makes Naomi look like a fancy robot.
Photo: 2003 Getty Images
Gwyneth Paltrow, 2001 This uncomfortable-seeming choker didn't appear to bother Goop.
Katie Holmes, 1998 Lacy cap sleeves and cascading wisps of hair really pull together the modern milkmaid look.
Heidi Klum, 2007 Strong Titanic references on this one.
Cameron Diaz, 2001 Rose or spiderweb? It's hard to tell.
Photo: Chris Weeks
Kate Beckinsale, 1999 With a row of sparkly tassels in the front, this dangly necklace effectively obscures Beckinsale's entire neck.
Photo: Rob...
Kate Beckinsale, 1999 With a row of sparkly tassels in the front, this dangly necklace effectively obscures Beckinsale's entire neck.
Photo: Robin Platzer/Twin Images
Lindsay Lohan, 2002 So innocent.
Jessica Alba, 2005 It's hard to tell which is sparklier: this gaudy necklace, or Alba's fake tan.
Miley Cyrus, 2011 Throughout Miley’s coming-of-age style transformation, chokers have remained one of her few constants.
Photo: 2011 Steve Granitz
Kim Kardashian, 2014 Kim topped off an all-silver outfit with this scalloped crystal collar at Paris haute couture shows this year.
Photo: Domin...
Kim Kardashian, 2014 Kim topped off an all-silver outfit with this scalloped crystal collar at Paris haute couture shows this year.
Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage
Jennifer Lawrence, 2011 If you are trying to accentuate the size of your bare sternum, a black-ribbon choker will definitely do the trick.
Phot...
Jennifer Lawrence, 2011 If you are trying to accentuate the size of your bare sternum, a black-ribbon choker will definitely do the trick.
Photo: 2011 Jon Furniss
Heidi Klum, 2001 This flashy expanse of crystals blurs the line between two '90s trends: thick chokers and stick-on rhinestones.
Photo: KMazur
Rihanna, 2013 Rihanna has gotten a lot of wear out of this vintage Christian Lacroix choker, which was apparently a gift from Chris Brown.
...
Rihanna, 2013 Rihanna has gotten a lot of wear out of this vintage Christian Lacroix choker, which was apparently a gift from Chris Brown.
Photo: 2013 Raymond Hall
Kristen Wiig, 2012 While this velvet-banded crystal grid seems likely to clash with a lot of necklines, it’s a particularly odd complement to a s...
Kristen Wiig, 2012 While this velvet-banded crystal grid seems likely to clash with a lot of necklines, it’s a particularly odd complement to a summery white halter top.
Photo: 2012 Steve Granitz
Nicole Kidman, 2004 Nicole's 2004 Oscars necklace looks straight out of a DIY jewelry kit.
Sophia Loren, 2012 Loren treats chokers the way other women treat bras or mascara: She rarely leaves the house without one.
Photo: 2012 Dominiqu...
Sophia Loren, 2012 Loren treats chokers the way other women treat bras or mascara: She rarely leaves the house without one.
Photo: 2012 Dominique Charriau
Iman, 2002 This De Beers studded collar — which looks like something out of Game of Thrones — was subsequently auctioned off for $100,000.
...
Iman, 2002 This De Beers studded collar — which looks like something out of Game of Thrones — was subsequently auctioned off for $100,000.
Photo: 2002 Getty Images
Penélope Cruz, 2003 This very heavy-looking necklace makes a quite-precarious neckline look almost normal.
Photo: 2003 Getty Images
Kate Hudson, 2005 For reasons unknown, gold chokers are surprisingly rare.
Photo: 2005 Getty Images
Willow Smith, 2013 Willow Smith pulls off this beloved '90s choker quite naturally, despite the fact that she's too young to remember when plasti...
Willow Smith, 2013 Willow Smith pulls off this beloved '90s choker quite naturally, despite the fact that she's too young to remember when plastic chokers were actually ubiquitous.
Photo: 2013 Jerod Harris
Sandra Bullock, 1996 This bedazzled collar makes for an oddly feline look.
Photo: Jim Smeal
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 2001 Remember turquoise?
Photo: Gregg DeGuire
Beyoncé, 2009 If you haven't yet sorted out your feelings toward turtlenecks, the choker can be a good middle ground.
Photo: 2009 Jeff Vespa
Halle Berry, 2001 The early 2000s saw a proliferation of chokers made from unidentifiable, futuristic-looking materials: Exhibit A.
Photo: Jim S...
Halle Berry, 2001 The early 2000s saw a proliferation of chokers made from unidentifiable, futuristic-looking materials: Exhibit A.
Photo: Jim Spellman
Britney Spears, 2001 Exhibit B. Photo: SGranitz
Barbra Streisand, 2012 Worn so high up on the neck, chokers can sometimes lead to reckless layering.
Photo: 2012 Steve Granitz
Kristin Davis, 2003 Unfortunately, more is not always more.
Jennifer Aniston, 2003 Paired with chin-length bangs, Jen wore this shimmery silver doughnut to the 2003 People's Choice Awards.
Photo: Jean-Pau...
Jennifer Aniston, 2003 Paired with chin-length bangs, Jen wore this shimmery silver doughnut to the 2003 People's Choice Awards.
Photo: Jean-Paul Aussenard
Jennifer Lopez, 1999 With a sleek bun and flower-strewn dress, J.Lo looks like a '90s princess.
Sofia Vergara, 2008 Another popular, if confusing, choker variety involves wearing a business-card-shaped pendant tied to your neck.
Photo: 2008...
Sofia Vergara, 2008 Another popular, if confusing, choker variety involves wearing a business-card-shaped pendant tied to your neck.
Photo: 2008 Steve Granitz
Rose McGowan, 2008 Two necklaces or one? Who can say.
Photo: 2008 Getty Images
Kirsten Dunst, 2004 A chunky floral necklace and pageboy bob make for a wholesome, girl-next-door look.
Nicki Minaj, 2011 With its visual similarities to a neck-warmer, this necklace seems like pragmatic winterwear.
Photo: 2011 Getty Images
Nelly Furtado, 2012 It's hard to decide what's weirder: Furtado's spiky earrings, or the fact that she's wearing a crocheted doily around her nec...
Nelly Furtado, 2012 It's hard to decide what's weirder: Furtado's spiky earrings, or the fact that she's wearing a crocheted doily around her neck.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/2012 Getty Images
Kate Upton, 2012 This necklace bares striking resemblance to the children’s toy Magnetix.
Photo: 2012 Venturelli
Elle Fanning, 2012 Like a petticoat for the neck.
Photo: Ferdaus Shamim/2012 Ferdaus Shamim
Jane Fonda, 2013 By our count, Jane Fonda has one of the most elaborate and varied collection of chokers of any woman we’ve ever seen.
Photo: 20...
Jane Fonda, 2013 By our count, Jane Fonda has one of the most elaborate and varied collection of chokers of any woman we’ve ever seen.
Photo: 2013 Jason LaVeris
Rita Ora, 2013 While not particularly tasteful, this neon cross-themed choker is at least not as hazardous-looking than some of Ora’s other favor...
Rita Ora, 2013 While not particularly tasteful, this neon cross-themed choker is at least not as hazardous-looking than some of Ora’s other favorites.
Photo: 2013 Jun Sato
Madonna, 2013 A truly fitting combination of neck materials: chains, a padlock, a little mesh, and some lace. Photo: 2013 Getty Images
Maggie Gyllenhaal, 2013 This was the extent of Maggie Gyllenhaal's punk-themed Met Gala outfit last year. Photo: 2013 Karwai Tang
Cyndi Lauper, 2013 This full-neck lace wrap looks, unfortunately, like a tourniquet.
Photo: 2013 Matthew Eisman
Alessandra Ambrosio, 2011 The payoff of this heavy-looking necklace does not seem worth the neck strain.
Photo: 2011 Ray Tamarra
Katy Perry, 2013 A studded collar really tops off the badass look.
Photo: Ray Tamarra/2013 Ray Tamarra
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