Choker

Every girl dreams of becoming a princess and every woman wants to look like a queen. In 2017, this desire is easy to translate into reality. The accessory of the Victorian period - the choker - has returned to fashion.

Choker is a necklace that tightly wraps around the neck. Although the name of the jewelry is far from poetics and romance (translated from English it means "stranglehold" or "strangler"), it looks very elegant.

A necklace, a bracelet on an arm and small earrings can make up an ensemble, it is only important that they are made in the same style.

Chokers are not only an accessory for women. In styles of ethno or rock, they will be appropriate in men's "outfits".

The origin of this decoration, however, like many others, dates back to the "BC" era. In ancient times, all accessories had practical functions.

In Indian tribes, a kind of necklace made of bones and fangs of killed animals, wood and shells served as protection for open and vulnerable parts of the neck and an amulet from evil supernatural forces. In Asia and Africa, rings were put on girls and girls to artificially lengthen the neck, which was considered a sign of extraordinary beauty.

In the ancient world, slaves wore collars with a medallion, which indicated information about the owner. In the "dark" times of the Medieval Inquisition in Europe, any decoration, with the exception of religious symbols, was considered inappropriate.

With the onset of the Renaissance, the period of asceticism ended, and the rapid development of jewelry began. The first chokers appeared in the form of massive bulky gold jewelry, which testified to the wealth and nobility of their owners.

At the turn of the XVII-XVIII centuries. in France, King Louis XIV issued decrees "Against luxury", with the aim of collecting more gold and silver in the treasury. Jewelers were forced to either flee France or start using materials that imitate precious ones. The imagination and skill of the craftsmen made the jewelry lighter and more graceful, but no less beautiful. So the greed of one ruler gave impetus to the development of a whole direction in jewelry production - bijouterie.

In the XVIII century. in the era of the Enlightenment and romanticism, the fashion for open shoulders and high hairstyles entered. The neck became the object of close attention of jewelers. Choker, beads, necklace, cameo, locket and pendant, as well as ribbon and velvet - that's where the modern choker came from.

In the future, the periods of "fashion" and "not fashion" for neck bandages replaced each other. The previous rise in interest in them occurred at the end of the 20th century, when punk, rock and gothic subcultures appeared in the youth environment.

Leather "collars" decorated with metal inserts, rings, spikes and chains, Gothic symbols, and tattoo - chokers came into fashion along with leather pants and jackets - "leather jackets", colored "haiers" and black lipstick.

In 2016 - 2017 fashion houses show new collections of clothes, where neck jewelry of all kinds of shapes and colors are presented as accessories. An unexpected solution is the combination of a choker with a business style, which was previously considered unacceptable.

Chokers are the name of jewelry that is completely different in style, appearance and color. They differ in the material from which they are made (fabric, leather, metal), they can be woven from beads and beads. The only thing that unites them is the tight girth of the neck.

A strip of satin ribbon to match a blouse, or a skirt, or the main color of a print on a dress, will suit summer clothes for everyday wear and light shoes (sandals or pumps - pumps). Decorated with a small pendant - it will be a great addition to airy outfits for more important events.

The velvet strip can be narrow or wide. Velvet with an insert - a crystal or, as a more expensive option, with a diamond is elegantly combined with an evening dress made of dense material with open shoulders or a deep neckline.

As an exclusive decor, you can consider a velvet jewelry with an insert-tablet, which, thanks to the skill of the jeweler, turns it into a work of art. The option of wearing a thin velvet choker with a pendant made of gold or silver metal in the shape of a heart, a cross or a moon is more democratic and suitable for youth styles (gothic or tumblr style), it goes well with denim jackets, sundresses and overalls.

Lacy chokers in light colors fit perfectly into the boho style. They can look like thin transparent ribbons for every day, or they can be massive braided necklaces for special occasions. In both cases, feminine and graceful, they make the image of a boho lady complete and complete.

Jewelry made of black lace seems to be created for the Gothic style, while white lace is a magnificent accessory for a wedding dress, symbolizing purity and innocence, which can be complemented with silver inserts or pearl pendants.

A pearl necklace is the most versatile piece of jewelry. It will suit almost any style of clothing, will look equally elegant with both a casual dress and an evening dress. It can be safely worn with a light blouse and a knitted jacket. In a word, at a picnic, and at a ball, and even at work, a short pearl necklace in one strand will be very appropriate.Perhaps this is one of the few chokers that does not contrast with the strict business style, but makes it softer, adding a touch of femininity and a touch of sexuality.

The necklace can consist of several vertical rows of pearls, outwardly resembling a stand-up collar. It perfectly hides imperfections, skin laxity and age lines on the neck. Many representatives of the royal families, for example, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Maria Teresa, prefer such jewelry with an insert in the form of a huge gem. They are not striking with their pretentiousness, they look luxurious, but not defiant.

As already mentioned, a leather or suede choker with spikes and needles, complemented by metal chains, is an attribute of punks and rockers. However, 2017 allows for a mix of styles and allows you to wear a "spiked collar" and military-style boots with light sundresses and tops. It looks shocking, but very interesting.

A long and thin suede cord with metal ends wrapped around the neck looks beautiful with solid V-neck dresses and blouses. The ends of the lace can be tied into an original bow or spread over the chest, this will visually lengthen the neck. A short leather lace in one girth with the ends connected by an insert - a ring or a metal strap will suit a round neckline. In the male image, it will emphasize strength and strength, and in the female image, fragility and grace.

Unisex metal chokers can be in the form of plates, thin rings and chains with large links. They will look great with leather jackets and jeans.

Narrow and wide short chains made of gold and silver will suit clothes of any style and color, and a heart-shaped pendant will add romance to the image.

At the shows of fashion collections, gold lace necklaces, which clasp the neck from the very chin, amaze with their beauty and grace. A scattering of diamonds transforms these exclusive pieces into luxurious jewelry that can be equated with works of art.

You can make chokers yourself from elastic bands, beads and beads. It is easy to weave an openwork decoration from floss threads. And from spandex fishing line and threads, original tattoos are obtained - chokers, named so because they resemble tattoos. Tatting - a choker made of yarn will not only decorate, but also warm. It can be decorated with knitted flowers and worn with warm cardigans and pullovers in cool weather.

When creating an image, it must be borne in mind that a choker is a self-sufficient decoration and does not need additional accessories. Although you can purchase a ready-made set of jewelry or assemble an original set, observing several conditions.

The stones in the earrings and pendant must be the same. Stud earrings and a gold bracelet are in harmony with a gold pendant or chain. It is important that the earrings are not bulky, and the bracelet stylistically complements the image, and does not contradict it.

Narrow chokers are beautifully paired with long thin chains in gold or silver.

Double chokers look original, for example, a black thread tattoo and a short leather cord with a medallion or a narrow lace strip and a gold chain with a pendant. It is important that they do not overlap or it will look sloppy.

In order for the grace and beauty of a choker with pendants and pendants to fully unfold, the neck must be open. Therefore, it is worth wearing it with tops, T-shirts, sundresses and outfits that open part of the chest and collarbone or completely bare the shoulders.

A round neckline will match satin and lace ribbons and tattoo chokers that intercept the neck in the middle.

With a round neckline, slightly wider than the neckline, and with a boat neckline, beads, beads and pearls can be worn.

Chokers with an elongated pendant on a chain, braided and leather laces are suitable for a deep neckline and V-neckline.

Yarn jewelry, gold and silver chains, fabric stripes look perfect with warm monochromatic things. Be sure to take into account the shape of the neck. Chokers are categorically not suitable for stand-up collars and collars.

If the shirt is classic, then the decoration should be in the form of a narrow strip or chain with no frills. Unfasten the top buttons. A checked shirt worn over a top or tank top gives you a lot of freedom in choosing chokers. They can be with pendants, inserts, tattoos, gothic, rock. Fantasy is limited only by taste.

In this case, it is worth abandoning extreme, vintage and frankly teenage jewelry. It is recommended to stop the choice on stylish and elegant necklaces, gold chains with a pendant or medallion, designer chokers made of fabric and leather.

It is not necessary that the color of the jewelry on the neck matches the color of the clothing. Sometimes a contrasting combination is appropriate, for example, a black leather choker can be worn with a white silk blouse.

Young girls can safely wear several rows of colored tattoos - chokers: purple, blue, pink and yellow. Such a rainbow combination will look both stylish and cheerful.

Red chokers became fashionable after the French Revolution, as a symbol of the memory of those executed on the guillotine. Today this color is a symbol of sexuality and aggression. It attracts attention. Do not forget about this when choosing an adornment for a business suit, otherwise all the tasks of the boss will have to be shouldered. It is better to wear a red choker at a corporate party and drive all colleagues of the opposite sex crazy.

The burgundy color is a symbol of solidity and confidence, it makes a favorable impression on people. Therefore, a burgundy decoration is permissible in a business style in the form of a narrow strap or fabric strip, without pendants and rhinestones, in a word, no frills.

Beige is a neutral color; it does not distract attention from a person's appearance. Therefore, jewelry of this color will allow you to emphasize the merits, but will not hide flaws. Perhaps the only exception is a wide beige choker in the form of a stand-up collar, which can favorably set off the face and make the neck imperfections invisible.

The fashion industry is not only creativity, but also a business that is subject to economic laws.

In any business, for success, it is necessary to identify the target audience. For this, many theories are used to explain consumer behavior. One of them is the theory of generations. Marketing research has determined that generation X is the most promising for the fashion business, as the most solvent, and generation Y, who easily accepts everything new and unusual.

The values ​​of "X" (born in 1963-1983) were formed during the Soviet era, during a period of stagnation, when nothing changed for decades. They are more conservative, in their choice they are guided by the quality of the product and its status. It is for them that haute couture clothes and handmade jewelry are created.

The convictions of the “gamers” (born in 1984-2000) took shape in the era of economic restructuring and rejection of socialist ideology. Therefore, from their point of view, changes are natural and necessary. According to marketers, brand is an important aspect for gamers. They are designed for mass production of designer models. Fashion trends of the season are determined for them.

In the spring and summer of 2017, fashion trends are striped and plaid clothes, shirt dresses, lace and translucent outfits, open shoulders, short bustier tops, plunging necklines, and, as an accessory, a wide variety of chokers.An extraordinary fantasy of designers can turn even an ordinary necklace into a stylish, memorable element of the image he has created, sexy, romantic or business.

Generation Y loves to dress up their little ones too. Children's fashion follows the same direction as adults: stripes, checks, bright prints, lace and ruffles. Fashion designers offer safe jewelry for little princesses and chokers in the form of bright ribbons and velvet.

The company "Biplant" offers children's art sets "Chokers", consisting of a variety of multi-colored elastic parts. A little fashionista can assemble herself a necklace, a headband or a bracelet for a handle.

The Spanish company is considered one of the most democratic brands, produces and sells women's clothing and accessories. All together and immediately can be purchased in one store, which is very appealing to customers. Reacts quickly to any changes in fashion trends and embodies them in sophisticated design solutions. Stradivarius designers did not ignore jewelry, creating not expensive, but stylish velvet and leather, black and multi-colored, with pendants and inserts, chokers.

The well-known Danish company Pandora is engaged in the production of jewelry: from the emergence of an idea and design development, to promotion on the market. The corporate identity of this brand is a typesetting system of jewelry, a combination of many different elements in one piece. For example, many necklaces are a set of pendants strung on a base in the form of a silver chain. Inexpensive leather chokers often adorn pendants made of beads and glass, all assembled according to the same “constructor” principle.

Another Spanish brand Zara develops and implements fashion trends for men, women and children clothing, accessories and interior items. The principles of this company are "instant fashion" and democratic prices, and the style is a mixture of classics and youth fashion trends. For example, models that adorn the neck often look massive, have a rigid rigid frame or unusual pendants in the ethno style.

The jewelry of the Australian company Diva is known to fashionistas on all five continents. Among the fans of this brand are such stars as the popular singer Rihanna and the actress and model Nicole Ricci. Chokers made of gold and silver, fabric and jewelry plastic with inserts and pendants of a floral or marine theme are worn by both respectable ladies and very young beauties.

The company is based in China and is engaged in the production of inexpensive gem and metal jewelry for the middle class. The specialty of this brand is the use of very small diamonds (the so-called "diamond placer"), or stones with small defects, their few faceting, and the use of gold alloys with impurities of copper, zinc or palladium. This technology does not affect the appearance of jewelry in any way, but significantly reduces their cost.

The largest chain of stores Lady Collection does not just sell jewelry and accessories. Experienced stylists will help you create a spectacular look, choose jewelry in accordance with fashion trends and create a set.

Rainbow Loom has nothing to do with jewelry. This is a toy - a loom that allows us to weave various decorations on the neck and arms from bright rainbow elastic bands. Independent weaving delights children, develops motor skills, creative thinking and brings a lot of positive emotions.

Famous people are always in the spotlight. They are loved, they are imitated. It was the chokers worn by celebrities that sparked such intense interest in these jewelry.

• American singer, dancer and actress Jennifer Lopez prefers gold necklaces with precious stones on special occasions.
• The actress Salma Hayek also prefers jewelry.
• Popular among young people, singer and beauty Britney Spears often wears simple, democratic chokers.
• Singer Rihanna is perhaps the most "choker" celebrity. Her collection includes a variety of neck jewelry, from stylish costume jewelry to exclusive pieces of jewelry.
• American model, reality TV star, the most famous Armenian woman Kim Kardashian also paid attention to this accessory.
• But not only representatives of art and show business choose a choker, creating their image. It is also used by women politicians, for example, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former US First Lady Michelle Obama.