In fashion circles, choker necklaces are very popular, and have been worn for decades, but what does a choker necklace mean?
The exact meaning varies, though many regard them as symbols of political defiance and tenacity. Wearing a choker shows you aren’t afraid to express yourself and stand up for your beliefs.
Chokers also have sexual origins (more on that later) so wearing a choker can be a way of expressing and embracing your sexuality and your hedonistic side.
While there is no exact reason for wearing a choker, nowadays a choker expresses individuality and shows you have a wild side.
Choker necklaces look great, and there are plenty of styles to choose from.
But where did chokers originate, which types of choker necklace can you choose from, and are they safe to wear? Let’s take a look.
Choker necklace history and origin
Chokers get their name from the fact that they are close-fitting against the neck.
What’s especially interesting is the fact that the style in which they are worn has not changed in centuries.
Chokers can be traced as far back as the 1500s.
In 1507, Anne Boleyn was seen in public wearing chokers. She is credited with kick-starting our obsession with these quirky necklaces.
Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII. She was seen as a very fashionable woman and would often inspire fashion trends.
She was rarely seen without her choker necklace, and the general public began copying her style.
During the French Revolution in 1798, chokers were seen as symbols of status and power.
Women would wear a red ribbon around their neck, as a way of paying homage to those killed by guillotine, but also as a show of defiance against the perpetrators.
By the mid-1800s, chokers were often worn by prostitutes.
Women would wear a red ribbon choker around their neck to symbolize the fact that they were sex workers.
During the Victorian era, royals including Queen Victoria and Prince Alexandra were regularly seen sporting expensive chokers lavished with gems and diamonds.
Poor Victorian folk, however, wanted to emulate this style.
They made their own chokers with broaches and pendants attached to a piece of velvet, which they then wrapped tightly around their necks.
By the 1920s, chokers were a big part of the Art Deco movement, before undergoing a gender shift in the 70s.
During the 70s and 80s, men would wear chokers, especially rockers and punk rockers, which again, was a nod to their rebellious backgrounds.
Who can wear a choker necklace?
Anybody can wear a choker necklace nowadays. Regardless of your gender, you can wear a choker and look great while doing so.
Chokers generally look best on people with longer, thinner necks. People with short necks, or wide necks, tend not to suit chokers as they may have their necks look even shorter and thicker still.
If you do have a wide neck and wish to wear a choker, a thin choker is your best option.
Types of choker necklaces and their meaning
There are many different types of choker necklaces currently available. Here are some of the most popular types and the meaning behind them.
1. Velvet chokers
Velvet chokers are elegant and classy in appearance, though they are symbols of confidence and strength.
Because velvet chokers were worn by women as a show of defiance during the French Revolution.
They were also worn by poor people during the Victorian Era, they symbolize strength, courage, confidence, and tenacity.
Velvet chokers are comfortable to wear and can be worn with all manner of different outfits.
2. Lace chokers
Lace chokers are very delicate. People that wear lace chokers tend to be soft-natured and warm-hearted.
Lace chokers are simple in design and can be worn with casual attire.
They reflect a person’s natural beauty and show that they’re not high maintenance.
3. Silk chokers
Silk chokers have been around for a long time.
Silk chokers generally show that the wearer is strong-willed, hardworking, and that they mean business and are not to be taken advantage of or walked all over.
Despite the above, because silk is so elegant and luxurious, it shows that the wearer takes pride in their appearance and likes to enjoy themselves in the process.
4. Diamond chokers
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, though there’s nothing saying that guys can’t wear a diamond choker either.
Wearing a diamond choker shows that you like the finer things in life and you are not afraid to showcase your lavish lifestyle.
It also shows that you enjoy being the star of the show, and why not?
5. Tattoo chokers
If you were around in the 90s, you will have seen these chokers as they were everywhere.
Tattoo chokers are almost tribal in appearance and show that you have a rebellious streak and aren’t afraid to be naughty.
Tattoo chokers are great for people who want to create an old school vibe and re-live arguably the greatest decade in human history.
6. Pendant chokers
Chokers adorned with pendants are stylish and luxurious, without looking over the top.
Pendant chokers show that you can be glamorous and stylish when you want, as well as chilled and laid back at other times.
7. Bow chokers
Bow chokers are typical choker necklaces adorned with a quirky little bow at the front.
Because these are quirky and unique, those who wear them are also usually quirky and unique.
Wearing a bow choker shows that you’re you, you’re happy, and you don’t care what anybody else thinks.
8. Colorful chokers
Colorful chokers are worn by people with colorful and bubbly personalities.
Usually worn by people who enjoy having fun, spending time with others, and making people laugh, they come in a selection of different colors and go great with colorful wardrobes.
9. Statement chokers
As the name suggests, statement chokers are all about standing out and making a statement.
Statement chokers are bright, vibrant, quirky, and garish.
People that wear statement chokers embrace their uniqueness and show the world that they don’t care what others think.
Whether you’re a free spirit embracing your hippy side or an adrenaline junky daredevil, a statement choker could be just the necklace that you need.
Where on your neck should you wear a choker necklace?
To showcase your choker properly, you should wear it around the middle of your neck.
If you wish to make your choker stand out, you could wear one with a charm or a pendant.
Are choker necklaces safe?
Yes, despite fitting tightly around the neck, chokers still have a little give and are loose enough to ensure they do not interfere with your breathing.
If you wear a choker and it feels too tight, painful, or restrictive, you should remove it immediately.
Are choker necklaces inappropriate?
Absolutely not. While chokers do have sexual and rebellious origins, they are stylish and fashionable and have also been worn by the monarchy.
What does wearing a choker necklace mean sexually?
Because chokers were worn by adult workers centuries ago, chokers can still have sexual undertones associated with them.
From a sexual standpoint, a choker is similar to a collar in appearance and represents ownership.
Wearing a choker is representative of the wearer’s submissiveness in the bedroom.
What does it mean when a girl wears a choker?
When a woman wears a choker, it can mean any number of things, depending on the type of choker she wears.
Some women may wear chokers to make a statement and show their uniqueness, while others may wear them to embrace their sexuality and their submissive sides.
It could even simply mean that she’s wearing a choker because it makes her feel good.
Do choker necklaces make you look fat?
Different types of jewelry suit different faces and different shapes.
Some pieces of jewelry suit thin and slender people, while others look better on broader and wider people.
Chokers generally look better on thinner people with slender necks.
Because they are so tight around the neck, wearing a choker makes the neck look thicker and shorter.
If you already have a short and/or thick neck, a choker could make your face look fatter than it really is.
Black choker necklace meaning
Some women used to wear a plain black choker as a secret symbol of lesbianism.
This does not mean that every woman that wears a black choker is a lesbian of course.
It could simply mean that she likes the color black, or that she likes that particular choker.
