Choker

A black ribbon used as a choker

A choker is a close-fitting necklace worn on the neck. Chokers can be made of a variety of materials, including velvet, plastic, beads, metal such as silver, gold or platinum, leather, etc. They can be adorned in a variety of ways, including with sequins, studs, or a pendant.

The common type of chokers include Victorian, vintage, open collar, Gothic, pendant, gemstones, or tattoo.

Historically, it was associated with high fashion, but could take on different meanings under different circumstances. Ballerinas and the upper class in the late 19th century commonly wore certain types of chokers. However, at that same time, a plain, thin, red or black ribbon choker had ties to prostitution in the late 19th century, as seen in Manet's Olympia (1861), while a plain black woven choker or ribbon could signify secret lesbianism in the Depression era.^[1]

Chokers appeared in 1798 as a French cultural jewel that was worn by wealthy ladies. in 1874 it was worn by ballerinas and in the early 1880s by queens.

It was also used as a form of bondage in the Middle Ages, where the slaves wore them to signify ownership over themselves.

Chokers became quite popular among women and girls in the 1990s. The 1990s fashion trend has recently resurfaced in the 2010s.^[2]

References

1. Aldrich, Robert (2006). Gay Life & Culture: A World History. p. 212.
2. http://www.instyle.com/celebrity/90s-trends-made-comeback