“As a child, I would always wear a black cord around my neck, and whenever I would find a special shell or stone, I’d find a way to tie it to my cord, and wear it for luck,” reminisces Rosh Mahtani, founder of London-based jewellery label Alighieri, who has introduced 100 per cent recycled sterling silver and 24-karat-gold-plated Japanese cotton cord necklaces into her range. This is a sentiment that many people might resonate with – especially for those that grew up in the late ’80s and ’90s, when the enthusiasm for cord necklaces reached its peak (Drew Barrymore, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss wore them at the time).
In 2025, nostalgic pendants – in precious metals, crystals and wood – suspended from cord and leather, have usurped traditional metal lockets and the like to become a standout accessory of the summer. This is thanks, in part, to the boho revival that’s swept the fashion landscape – a movement that has gained considerable traction of late.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Rosh is one of several designers that have given the cord necklace a modern update: “I created the Link of Wanderlust and Gone Fishing chokers inspired by the idea of collecting magic on my travels, as a nod to childhood escapades, collecting lucky talismans, and wearing them in a really organic way,” she tells Vogue. “It’s been so much fun to expand our cord anthology, and last year, I combined a brown leather cord with icy sterling silver on the Bones of Rebirth Necklace – inspired by the notion of new beginnings. The cord, for me, allows a certain ease and organic elegance for each talisman.”
While most jewellery is trans-seasonal, to be worn all year round, cord necklaces are mostly popular in the summer months. Those who have endorsed the trend have taken to wearing cord necklaces with bikinis, cover-ups and swimsuits on holiday, like supermodel Paloma Elsesser, who wore Gimaguas’s printed triangle swimwear and mini-shorts with a cord necklace on a recent getaway. And though they evoke a vacation mood, cord necklaces are also a good accessory for city wear, styled best with tank tops, tailored trousers and linen shirts.
Agmes, Annika Inez, Vertigo, Sophie Buhai and Ysso are but a few other brands that have designed contemporary takes on the cord necklace, featuring abstract pendants rendered in silver, gold, glass, pearl and gemstones. Keen DIY-ers should consider making their own – there are endless numbers of unique pendants on eBay. There are also plenty of vintage versions available, too. Here, shop the best cord necklaces available now.
Cord necklace wish list:
