Chokers : Yas or Nah?

Almost every girl you know, including Rihanna and your least cool friend from high school, wore chokers. It is the most versatile of accessories. Unfortunately, it is also out of date. The name alone makes you sit up. Chokers have traditionally, within a fashion context, subverted societal norms and been a nod to subculture. However with the co-option of chokers as a trend, the item itself has lost this previously important context, as well as its roots in fetish wear and the fetish community.

Generally chokers have had their moment. With a very specific and rather explicit use, the choker was adopted by mainstream influencers and in turn, by really quite young teens. This age group may not actually understand the original origins of the look, demonstrating just how trends can start in a rather niche space, and move down to the mass audience. In the fashion scene this is a good example of a short-term trend and one that is likely to come around again in the future. 

As with any trend, if you wait around long enough, it'll eventually be fashionable again. Starting around 2014, chokers were seen on and off the red carpet on everyone from Gigi Hadid to Ariana Grande. Despite how cool chokers looked growing up in the 80's and 90's, it's time to retire this accessory. 

The choker remains a straightforward item of decorative jewellery but its history makes it also a symbol of how femininity has been interpreted. It is perhaps a symbol of the dualism of feminism, an ironic statement of power and submission, and a simple way of saying 'I own myself'.

By Erica Pamela