Chokers Set the Tone

Chokers, long rooted in fashion history, were later embraced by pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Men’s choker trend is alive and well, and you should get one to be called a trendsetter.

By Team L’Officiel India · Sep 2025 · 2 min read

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The trend was revived by the Kardashians, making its way back into the spotlight. While chokers have traditionally been popular among young women, their appearance on menswear runways signals a broader shift in gender expression. In 2016, amid various criticisms, Matt Lauer humorously rebranded himself on the Today show, declaring a desire to be known as a “trendsetter” as chokers once again rose to fashion prominence.

The resurgence of chokers in both men’s and women’s fashion reflects a broader shift toward individualism and fluidity in style. No longer confined to teenage girls or nostalgic ’90s revivals, chokers are being reimagined by high-fashion designers using materials like leather, pearls, and even metals to appeal to a wider audience. Celebrities and influencers of all genders have embraced the accessory, wearing it with everything from streetwear to formal ensembles. On the runway, chokers have been styled with tailoring, blouses, and even bare chests, turning the once-edgy piece into a bold fashion staple. The trend shows no sign of fading soon.

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Chokers have long been a favoured accessory among young people, especially girls, who often lead the way in trend adoption (though that’s a broader conversation for another time). Recently, however, chokers have made a notable appearance on menswear runways, signalling not only a revival of the trend but also a growing fluidity in gendered fashion expression.

Chokers have existed for centuries—virtually as long as pants—but only truly entered mainstream fashion in the mid-1990s. Back then, they were a go-to for riot grrrls and goths, embodying a rebellious, alternative aesthetic. By the early 2000s, pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera adopted the look, pairing chokers with bootcut jeans and chart-topping singles.

Fast-forward to recent years, and the choker has been resurrected—this time, not from subcultures or music videos, but from the aisles of Claire’s, thanks largely to the fashion-forward influence of the Kardashian family.

Even television personality Matt Lauer got in on the action—sort of. In 2016, after being labelled everything from smug to soft, Lauer made a tongue-in-cheek declaration on the Today show that, moving forward, he wanted to be known simply as a “trendsetter.”