Snob Essentials

Trend Alert: Cool in Collars

Trend Alert

Is there ever truly a new trend that doesn’t reference an element of our past? I would say no, especially in this case. With a strong reference to tribal culture, a resurgence of the collar necklace in all its iterations has been prevalent on runways and in street fashion this spring.

I have had a love for collars, chokers and torques since spending time in South Africa as a child. Neck-stretching coils of the Ndebele tribe’s women symbolized faithfulness to one’s husband as well as prosperity, while beads signified the same thing in a more colorful, less painful way. They also provide a surreal perception of the human figure, distorting stature and forcing what seems like immaculate posture.

Trend Alert

The Romans embraced the sensual nature of this piece of jewelry, shown above on a Fayum Mummy Portrait, an encaustic painting put into tombs with the wealthy deceased.

Trend Alert

This 1772 painting by Humphrey shows Queen Charlotte with a lovely and demure pearl choker; not as intimidating as the coils of the Ndebele, but still attracts attention to the length of her neck.

Trend Alert
Marilyn Monroe rocked a similar look in 1962.

Trend AlertBinx Walton on the Balenciaga runway

Trend AlertRihanna in Cartier at the Met Gala

Get the Look
Paulamendoza_Colalr

Paula Mendoza Jarama Pearl Detail Choker (on Intermix for $529, from $878)

VitaFede_Collar

Vita Fede Lia 24k Gold-Plated Pearl Choker Necklace (at Neiman Marcus for $1,565)

Givenchy_Choker

Givenchy Vintage Chic French Choker (on Farfetch for $698.96)

Balmain_Choker

Balmain Gold-Tone and Glossed-Leather Choker (on NET-A-PORTER for $1,605)

TopShop_Collar

Topshop Premium Pearl And Stone Choker (at Topshop for $150)

TopShop_Collar_1

Topshop Ring Torque Collar (at Topshop for $25)

Julia Hagen is currently a student at the Gemological Institute of America. Her love for jewelry started with a red bead bracelet she received as a birthday gift from her grandfather around the age of five. Other healthy addictions include shoes, Crossfit, photography and researching jewelry arts.

Photo Credit: Mario Gerth & AP

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