The Statement necklace

[PollyPerky]

Is it all a bit 90s?

I'm despairing a bit at loads of middle aged female politicians ( across all parties) who - imo- ruin a good look with a huge necklace, which wears them. I'm sure they think it' 'lifts' the outfit, but it's become a cliche.

Isn't less is more when it comes to bling and smart suits?

[ElspethFlashman]

Its definitely not 90s as we only wore chokers then. Or leather shoelace necklaces with tiny turquoise pendants.

I like statement necklaces. If you've got a big/low bust and a high neck they break up the vast shelf of boob.

[PollyPerky]

Chokers in the 90s? No!!! Chokers were years before that. I remember chokers in the early 70s.

[PollyPerky]

I think we're on a different page here with chokers :) I'm talking about the velvet ones that people wore in the 60s and early 70s (usually with a maxi dress) - so 30 years before the re-run in the 90s.

[rainbrella]

definitely not 90s - i'm in my 30s and i too remember it being about chokers and leather necklaces with hearts or semi precious stones.

i dont think they are cliched either because there are so many styles and ways to wear them.

im a bit over the large statement necklace due to wearing denim/linen/woven cotton shirts more and mine don't sit well in the neckline of those.

i still like them on people though, look great with swish -y strap camisoles.

[Annarose2014]

Watch some reruns of Beverly Hills 90210 - choker central!

Along with gallons of Chanel Rouge Noir polish on bitten nails. Ugh.

[dragonsarebest]

I wore a plain black velvet choker from Etam (I think) in the early 90s! It's all cyclical isn't it...chokers are having a moment again right now apparently.

I've never been a fan of those statement necklaces tbh. I wonder if they're the 21st century version of the Maggie Thatcher handbag, as in, a way of maintaining some femininity in boring business wear.

[UsernameTaken2]

I'm not yet 30 and definitely remember chokers being worn in the mid-late 90s along with halter neck handkerchief tops. Awful trend

[ElspethFlashman]

I spent the entire decade wearing this leather thong around my neck that was knotted at intervals and at each knot was a tiny different coloured crystal. My friends all really envied it lol. which is why I never took it off for years

Also had a large collection of black chunky heeled mules (so bloody comfy! Secretly pleased they're back), black bootleg low rise slacks, black wraparound mini skirts and thousands of little satin hanky tops that showed my belly button piercing.

And shitloads of Heather Shimmer lipstick by Rimmel. Or the dreaded Coffee Shimmer which made you look like you'd been eating a Feast ice cream a bit too sloppily.

Oh and you had to have a Kirby grip holding your fringe back like Gwyneth in Sliding Doors.

[elliefredericksen]

This has been derailed slightly by choker talk!

The statement necklaces I remember most recently are the bib style large glass bead style, like these:

www.google.co.uk/search?q=j+crew+necklace&espv=2&biw=1835&bih=1219&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK7LH4i-7NAhVrIsAKHZf_Bq4Q_AUIBygC#imgrc=CWV0Ci8AyJeb-M%3A

The got bigger and the colours more and more lurid and tacky, and if they are what you are referring to then I do think they have had their day for a while. Bit like those thin scarves a la becksondergaard everyone wore around the same time.

It's all a bit minimal and delicate on the jewellery fashion front as far as I can make out at the moment.

[FashionLover1]

I love statement necklaces, but on a daily basis I usually choose simple small earrings.

[absolutelynotfabulous]

I love a bib necklace. Even better if you are wrinkly twixt boob and neck.

And yes, chokers were about in the 90s. I had a massive pearl one I used to wear over a polo neck.

Ah...rouge noir....now that's a blast from the past......Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction anyone?

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

Chokers came back in the 90s! As did flares (which also came back this year momentarily!). I still have my flares from the 90s and love them - though don't wear them.

[PollyPerky]

I think we have a generation gap thing going on here with chokers! Clearly some younger posters only remember the 90s, not the 60s and 70s.
I recall them being worn like a velvet ribbon with something added- a jewel or a brooch. They were tied tightly round your neck, not hanging down at all. Lots of brides in the early 70s wore them.

[dragonsarebest]

Polly yes that's exactly what people wore in the 90s too - it's only a matter of time before it all comes round again! :) The young folk now are wearing them in the same way but perhaps slimmer ribbons like Rihanna in this pic.

Mine in the 90s was a black velvet ribbon, roughly an inch wide, fastened at the back with velcro, bet that wouldn't have happened in the 70s . A bit like these ones that you can buy from Asos right now.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I think it will shift to a focus on statement earrings instead soon. Channelling our inner Pat Butcher.

[Charitygirl1]

Statement necklaces were big in the early years of this decade! Let's not declare them to be 20 years out of date...

[polyhymnia]

I've never been a fan of 'statement necklaces' of the bib type pictured and am glad they seem to be on their way out - though there do still seem to be plenty around. As for wrinkly skin, I think they draw attention to rather than hide this.

[PollyPerky]

I was thinking more about the 'string of marbles' that women of a certain age wear with smart suits. I love beads, and chunky ones sometimes, but not huge baubles when wearing business dress. Rather see a single diamond or some modern pearls.

[ZaZathecat]

How about this one?

[polyhymnia]

Yes, absolutely agree, Polly. Though I tend to go for nice silver necklaces - my favourite is Georg Jensen.
I don't seem very good at tracking down 'modern' pearls, only ones that make me look like a dowager - would love to find some. A bit the same with diamonds - a friend has a gorgeous modern setting ( bought abroad) of a few very simple but stylish diamonds but I don't like most of the more traditional ones around.

[Polkadot1974]

I look a numpty in pearls too. I thought the statement necklace was still a thing but was getting bigger. As in they're now ludicrously big
I'm pulling up a chair and settling in on this one. As an aside I made my own leather/bead/ teracotta disc necklaces in the 90s and had many sun/moon/star things in my student room

[witsender]

Heather shimmer!! I had that!!

[rainbrella]

i prefer something like this now

www.linksoflondon.com/gb-en/diamond-essentials-sterling-silver-and-pave-round-necklace/prod=5020-2724?catid=2153

[midsomermurderess]

I think they can look really good, I mean like Diane in the Good Wife, always some great statement necklaces there but you do need the immaculately coiffed hair and killer suit too.