Choices, Choices, Choices!
Do you want VELVET, SATIN, CHIFFON or LACE?

Velvet is the most durable, sturdy material of the three. It's the best choice if the choker must be worn often over a long period of time. It's even hand washable, in case you get a spot on it! French and Swiss are the highest quality velvet, and softest against the skin. Double-faced satin is far superior to single-faced, since it is a denser weave and will last longer. Lace is very delicate, and must be handled, and worn, with care. Chiffon and Organza are the most "feminine" and popular for WEDDINGS. They can be ordered for the BRIDESMAIDS to MATCH THEIR DRESSES & tie in a bow on the back of the neck, the ends draping down the back, so no measurements are needed!

MORE Choices, Choices, Choices!
Do you want a NON-ADJUSTABLE VICTORIAN CLASP or
an ADJUSTABLE CHOKER with a HOOK or CLAW CLASP?

Look for what kind of closure the choker has. Does it tie up with a satin ribbon? Is there a lobster-claw type clasp, or is it an hook? Is it adjustable? Since we know you want your purchase to last, a ribbon choker with metal bars ("crimps") at the end of the ribbon is best. The metal crimps keep the ribbon rigid (so it won't crinkle), and keep the ribbon ends from fraying. A hook type clasp is better if you have to take the choker on and off by yourself, or if you have large fingers.

EVEN MORE Choices, Choices!
What WIDTH do you want the RIBBON?

Narrower ribbon widths tend to look better on shorter, heavier necks than wide ribbons. And by wide ribbon I mean over 1 1/4 inches (approx. 3.2cm). If you have a heavier, shorter neck, and have simply fallen in love with a wider ribbon, choose a muted colour (pale blue, ivory, lavender, soft pink, silvery grey, tan, black) over a vivid colour (flame red, hot pink, electric blue, bright white, etc.) if possible. Vivid colours draw the eye and tend to make things look larger than they really are - so a short, thick neck may look even more exaggerated. If you have a long, slender neck, a wider ribbon is best, since narrow chokers can look "lost" in a sea of blank skin. Long necks can wear just about any colour, if the ribbon is fairly wide (more than one inch, or 2.5cm).

EVEN MORE Choices, Choices!
What LENGTH do you want the RIBBON?

First, measure your neck. YOUR NECK... NOT YOUR SHIRT COLLAR. Shirt collars are meant to be worn loosely. Use a cloth measuring tape, or a piece of string/shoe lace, which you can mark off, and then measure while flat. OR... Ask for a choker that can be adjusted to fit your size, or is within your range. When you put the choker on, it should be quite tight, but not tight enough that you cannot still slip your finger between the ribbon and your neck. A good test to see if you are wearing it right is to try to twist it around on your neck. If you can't comfortably move it, then you are wearing it too tightly. However, the choker should not sag unless it is designed to suspend a pendant (pendant chokers should make a nice V shape close to the neck).

HELPFUL HINTS!

It's easier to put your choker on backwards, in front of a mirror.

If your satin ribbon choker gets "wrinkly," iron it using the lowest steam setting.
(Always iron on the back/inside of the choker, preferably with a cloth over your choker,
and NEVER let the iron touch any of the choker's metal parts!)

Velvet chokers can be gently steamed by placing the choker face down on your ironing board. Simply cover the board with a clean tea-towel first if it's not very smooth. Set your iron to the lowest steam setting, and hover over the back of the velvet, making several slow passes, doing your best not to steam over any metal pieces. Gently tug on the choker until it cools a bit.

Cotton-based (and some synthetic) lace chokers, which have stretched out over time, can be revitalized with a mist of water. Place the choker face down on a towel, and cover any exposed metal areas. Lightly mist with a spray bottle.

Buy a plain velvet, satin or lace choker, like our "NATIONAL VELVET." It can be worn alone, or you can pin whatever you like on it as your style and mood changes - a rhinestone, a favorite pin, it's up to you! NOTE: Plain satin chokers will show holes where your pin has been Once you pin something to them, you will always need to cover up that area to hide the holes.