We know what you’re thinking: neck wraps and chokers, really? Do you even remember the last time you sported those? We’re pretty sure that a sense of nostalgia envelops you as you throwback to those young, edgy days. The original version of these neck accessories first appeared in the Victorian era as lace and ribbon collars. Much later on, tattoo choker necklaces peaked in the ’90s, before dog collars flooded the runways in 2004, followed by choker necklaces rendered in fine jewelry in 2012. Recently, however, neck wraps and jewelry chokers seem to be making waves in the fashion scene once more.
This time, they come in a wide variety, ranging from futuristic metallic and diamond-encrusted iterations to tribal and tasseled versions, proof that these gothic adornments aren’t going anywhere this year.
Julie Anne San Jose
Who needs statement necklaces? Those are so last year! Bid farewell to over-the-top jewelry and say hello to minimalist neck wraps, which have been all over Instagram lately. Look to Julie Anne for evidence of their versatility, especially when you want to go mod at work before transitioning to a fun night out. We suggest finding a piece that you can instantly tie to add extra interest to anything from a masculine tuxedo jacket to lacy separates, so you can rock that sweet spot between sultriness and dark elegance. Don a loose hairdo to complete this retro-glam ’90s look.
Liza Soberano
Long buried beneath our beloved turtlenecks, it’s time to give our necks some serious attention with sleek neckbands, which have been sported by It girls like Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine, Lily Rose Depp, and Olivia Palermo. And yes, they’re really back. In fact, designers and fast fashion retailers have started to include built-in neckbands in various dress forms. Be an early adopter and sport a plain one like Liza in this red Martin Bautista number.
Sofia Andres
Were it not for cool influential ’90s gals like Alicia Silverstone and Drew Barrymore, we wouldn’t be aware of the power a simple choker. It was part of every girl’s accessory game back in the day. There is just something about going both grunge and goth once in a while to elevate your street style look. If you’re not really keen on massive dog collar chokers that render your neck nonexistent, make like Sofia and approach this trend like a minimalist: Tie on a slick and skinny bit of fabric or leather strip to dress up your neckline in a cinch.
Kim Chiu
Gone are the days when throaty neckpieces were made of hippie materials like hemp and puka shells. (The horror!) Stepping into this season’s new It accessory, Kim had a Victorian moment as she nailed the vintage throwback by pairing a sophisticated black choker with an off-shoulder top. Charming, yet vampy, we must say! This neck accent can elevate almost anything from understated pieces to tried-and-tested ensembles. Experiment with large, embellished velvet chokers (even better if it has a cameo!) or keep it casual with chains and encrusted gems.
Coleen Garcia
Now that the weather is warming up, it’s all about stripping off those layers and baring a conservative amount of skin—or a whole lot, in Coleen’s case. Take some style risks: Neck wraps are subtly sexy, and throwing a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit into the mix will elevate your evening look to smoking hot. However, when baring this much skin, keep the rest of your ensemble simple to highlight the results of your daily Crossfit habit.
Apples Aberin
Pajama party, anyone? Apples looked comfortable in a sensuous silk kimono dress paired with a relaxed matching skinny scarf. Her look was on-trend with the spate of sleepwear seen on the spring/summer 2016 runways of Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Alexander Wang. As relaxed as these silhouettes are, it’s easy to look sloppy or frumpy, so always look for quality fabrics used on loose camisoles, delicate slip dresses, and organza pants.
Julia Barretto
Neck party to the rescue on those days you’ve got nothing to wear! Inspired by Nancy Downs’ wardrobe staple in the 1996 cult classic film The Craft, Julia added personal flair to her tattoo choker by layering it with an evil eye necklace and a customized pendant. Try this with a clavicle-baring Bardot top and a pair of dark denim jeans to properly channel those Wiccan vibes.
