A choker is the perfect piece of jewellery to wear now

Sometimes, a piece of jewellery just feels right. At present, that piece is a choker necklace, whether it’s an Art Deco style torque or a string of dainty strands.

Call it the “Wuthering Heights” effect. Margot Robbie’s press tour wardrobe for Emerald Fennell’s hotly anticipated adaptation has featured winning look after winning look, from archival Galliano to custom Chanel couture by Matthieu Blazy. Alongside sculptural corsetry, intricate lace and elaborate feathering, chokers have been a hallmark of the romantic soft goth aesthetic Robbie has embraced during the tour.

And they haven’t been any old chokers. At the world premiere of the film, Robbie made headlines for wearing the famous $8 million heart-shaped Cartier necklace given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton. For the Paris premiere, she opted for a 100-carat diamond Lorraine Schwartz whopper.

But Robbie is not the only A-lister opting for this classic kind of neck adornment. At the Grammys, Hailey Bieber, Chappell Roan and Tate McRae all went for bold choker styles. Taylor Swift is another fan who has been spotted wearing one of late, as she has done for years (remember that custom Schiaparelli look from her 2024 Grammys win).

The look works off the red carpet too, as evidenced by spikes in sales recorded by jewellery designers including Laura Vann. “Despite launching them last summer, our torque chokers were one of our best-performing styles over Christmas and have continued to stay strong into 2026,” she says.

“There’s something about chokers that feels both cool and nostalgic. They nod to the ’90s and early 2000s but have come back in a more refined, sculptural way. They strike that perfect balance between elevated and causal.”

As for how to wear one without feeling like you’re on a press tour of your own, the key is to make sure the choker is the statement piece — don’t bother with any other jewellery pieces if you’re wearing one. They’re great for elevating everyday looks, too.

“Keep it casual and layer a sleek choker over a simple knit or tee, or pair it with an open shirt and jeans,” says Vann. “It adds a touch of polish without feeling too dressed up.”

Here are some of the best to buy now…