The Trend That Took Over Fashion
Some fashion trends fade quietly. The choker necklace did the opposite in 2016. It showed up on red carpets, music videos, airport outfits, and even toddlers (yes, North West had one too). For a single strip of fabric or metal, that’s a lot of cultural weight to carry.
So what actually happened that year? Let’s break it down with real facts, not guesswork.
Why 2016 Became “The Year of the Choker”
Fashion Institute of Technology jewelry expert Wendy Yothers explained it simply: chokers get popular whenever necklines dip low. When your collarbones are on display, something needs to sit there. In 2016, plunging necklines and off-the-shoulder tops were everywhere, and the choker filled that gap perfectly (W Magazine).
Barneys New York executive Jennifer Sunwoo backed this up too. She noted chokers gained momentum in spring 2016 and just kept building through fall, becoming one of the season’s most notable trends. It wasn’t a two-week TikTok-style flash. It was a slow, steady takeover.
And here’s the funny part: it wasn’t even new. Chokers already had a moment in the 90s. Fashion, as usual, just recycled itself with better packaging.
Beyoncé, Rihanna, and the Celebrity Domino Effect
Trends don’t spread on their own. They need a push, and in 2016, that push came from two of the biggest names in music.
When Beyoncé dropped “Formation,” fans studied every frame of the video, including her jewelry. She wore three chokers at once, pieces from Dylanlex and Fallon’s Monarch design, and the internet noticed immediately (W Magazine).
Rihanna doubled down. She wore a pink choker with an oversized ring detail in her “Work” video, then wore a Cartier diamond choker on the cover of W magazine’s September issue. Beyoncé was also the most Googled artist of 2016, so when she wears something, people follow. And follow they did.
Meanwhile, models styled by Monica Rose, including Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, wore chokers constantly off-duty. Vogue even featured Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Hailee Steinfeld, and Rihanna all wearing chokers in a single spring feature (Real Life Style). That’s basically a fashion industry stamp of approval.
Not everyone loved it, though. One blogger admitted she wasn’t a fan personally but watched “nearly everyone jump on the train” anyway, including Miranda Kerr and Kate Beckinsale (Sparkles and Shoes). Fair reaction, honestly. Not every trend needs to be your favorite to succeed.
A Quick History Lesson (Because Chokers Are Older Than You Think)
Here’s a fact that surprises people: chokers didn’t start in the 90s. Victorian royalty wore elaborate jeweled versions. The style resurfaced again in the 1920s with ribbon and beaded designs. Then it became a full-blown celebrity staple in the 90s before its 2016 comeback (Abbott Lyon).
So really, the choker necklace 2016 wave was just one chapter in a much longer story. Trends rarely die. They just wait for a good excuse to return.
The Choker Styles That Ruled 2016
Not all chokers looked alike. Designers pushed the trend in different directions, and shoppers had plenty of options:
- Velvet chokers – soft, simple, and instantly nostalgic for anyone who lived through the 90s.
- Stretchy tattoo-style chokers – the plastic, lace-pattern kind many people wore as kids, reincarnated for adults.
- Leather and metal chokers – Alexander Wang leaned into an edgier, punk-inspired look during his Fall 2016 runway show, channeling a Sid Vicious-style aesthetic (W Magazine).
- Statement and jeweled chokers – JCK’s industry trend report listed chokers and statement necklaces as one of the top 12 jewelry trends for 2016, driven partly by their appearance at the 2015 Oscars (JCK).
- Pearl and Art Deco-style chokers – a fancier, vintage-leaning option for people who wanted elegance over edge.
Basically, there was a choker for every personality. Grunge fans, minimalists, and maximalists all had a lane.
How to Style a Choker Necklace (Then and Now)
Styling advice from 2016 still holds up surprisingly well. A few tips that stylists consistently recommended:
- Keep it simple with everyday outfits. A thin gold or black choker works with a plain t-shirt and jeans without trying too hard.
- Layer for evening looks. Add longer chains or pendants for a cocktail-party effect.
- Let your neckline lead. Off-the-shoulder tops and low necklines pair naturally with chokers, since that’s the exact gap they were designed to fill.
- Match the mood, not just the outfit. A leather choker leans edgy; pearls lean classic; velvet lands somewhere sweetly nostalgic.
One stylist summed it up well: chokers accentuate the jaw, cheeks, and collarbones, so trying different widths helps find the most flattering fit for your face shape (Design Arche).
Is the Choker Necklace 2016 Trend Coming Back?
Short answer: yes, and it’s happening right now. Fashion loves a full-circle moment, and chokers are having one. Reports from 2026 note that Y2K and mid-2010s nostalgia is driving a fresh wave of choker demand, though today’s versions lean toward softer, more organic shapes instead of the stiff, perfectly-fitted styles from a decade ago (The Zoe Report).
So if you kept your old choker in a drawer somewhere, good news: your patience just paid off.
Quick Buying Tips
- Choose hypoallergenic materials if you have sensitive skin.
- Velvet and leather chokers are budget-friendly and easy to find.
- Fine jewelry chokers (gold, diamond, pearl) cost more but last far longer.
- Adjustable clasps help avoid the “too tight” problem chokers are known for.
Final Thoughts
The choker necklace 2016 moment wasn’t random. It combined the right celebrities, the right necklines, and a healthy dose of 90s nostalgia at exactly the right time. A decade later, the trend is proving it never really left, just took a short break.
Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or trying a choker for the first time, one thing is clear: this accessory has staying power that most trends can only dream of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were chokers so popular in 2016? Low necklines were trending, and celebrities like Beyoncé and Rihanna wore chokers publicly, which pushed the style into mainstream fashion fast.
Are chokers still in style? Yes. Reports from 2026 show a strong nostalgia-driven comeback, with softer and more organic designs replacing the stiffer 2016 versions.
What choker style is easiest for beginners? A thin gold or black chain choker. It’s simple, goes with almost any outfit, and doesn’t require much styling effort.
Instagram Reference
For real-time style inspiration and current looks, check this Instagram hashtag page: 🔗 #chokernecklace on Instagram
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