In Search Of The Perfect Collar Necklace

Lately I've been obsessed with collar necklaces - the bigger, chunkier and weirder the better. They are amazing under the perfect collar or a statement with a simple dress.

The good thing about this trend for fashion houses (but bad for lil ol' me) is that big + chunky + weird (always) = expensive. The issue I'm having is finding one that is in my student price range.


I have a great collar necklace that I got from Sportsgirl last year that I have been wearing pretty much everyday for the past month. It's pared down enough that I can wear it to work but cool and edgy enough for night. Or during the day.... Or while I'm sleeping. Ok... so I wear it all the time.

When I got it, I thought it was so bold and statementy that most people would hate it but it's been attracted compliments from even the most unlikeliest of places (wtf grandma)!

Asos Collar Necklace... Identical to my Sportsgirl.

Necklace complete with awesome neon quilt top. 

It's so good in fact, I actually saw it later pop up on Topshop and on Asos (thanks mass production). It's a good start but it's simply not satisfying my chunky necklace requirements.

J Crew does a great necklace and I was this close to buying this piece of crystal collar goodness until it sold out in 1 day! Conveniently I also just got an email saying that J Crew now ships to Australia! Must re-hunt for necklace options there...

My dreams.

I then turned to net-a-porter which proved to still be net-a-porter - dreamy and unattainable, like Ryan Gosling... building me a house. Even though the whole 'lack of Ryan Gosling thing' was a letdown, net-a-porter still provided inspiration in Tom Binns, Lanvin and Marni.


Ebay turned up this beauty but it was still out of my price range. Let's just say, I was getting the feeling that I was fighting a losing battle.

Ebay's best shot

I'd been all gloomy, strolling up and down Chapel St reflecting on my lack of necklace when I got a phone call. I discussed the issue with my bud and she let me in on a secret she had found out through her own extensive googling - you can make a pretty damn good tom binns from a cheapo rhinestone necklace and nail polish!

I found some good DIY Tom Binns here, here, here and here, which I plan to replicate in the near future. In the meantime I'll be hoping that Sportsgirl provides once again... or that Ryan Gosling builds me a house. I'll take either.

Bec xx