Charting the Evolution of the Choker, from 90210 to Every Red Carpet Today

by Sarah Casselman August 4, 2016

The world may be obsessed with all things Hiddleswift, but around our office we’ve been preoccupied with Taylor Swift’s neck candy of choice: chokers. From skinny velvet ribbons baring tiny pendants to mega metal hardware, Lady T has been snapped around the globe wearing this throwback accessory. She’s been documenting her newfound love on Instagram (so you know it’s real).

When chokers first circled onto the scene during the 1990s, Swift was just a future icon in diapers. Back then, Beverly Hills 90210 ruled, and cool girls Brenda Walsh, Kelly Taylor and Donna Martin all embraced the choker trend. Beyond TV land, this accessory du jour also grabbed hold of celebs and royals. Princess Diana paired a multi-strand pearl version with her smokin’ hot revenge dress post-split with Prince Charles.

Whether you channel your inner royal with sparkling jewels (faux or real) or go goth glam in spiked black leather à la Fairuza Balk in The Craft, a choker is the ideal way to tighten up any look. Scroll through our gallery of the best celeb and runway chokers, then and now.