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You’ve read the book, seen the TV show and followed the Instagram account. Now, looking thirstily at stills of #Connellschain is not enough.
A necklace so popular it has its own Instagram account – which amassed a thirsty 27,000+ strong following over the weekend – the chain capturing the nation’s heart right now comes via the neck of a certain Connell Waldron, the lead actor in BBC Three’s runaway hit Normal People.
Despite the revelation that Daisy Edgar Jones, who plays Marianne in Normal People, lost the necklace after actor Paul Mescal (Connell) gifted it to her after filming (seriously, devd) it seems we’re not the only ones to want our own chains.
Shopping platform Farfetch reported a 23% spike in searches for ‘chain necklaces’ after Normal People launched while shopping app LIKEtoKNOW.it reported a gigantic 500% increase in searches.
In film and TV, it’s usually statement gems worn by women that get all the attention. Audrey Hepburn’s choker in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Rose’s blue heart in Titanic or Vivian’s ruby choker in Pretty Woman… In contrast, the simple anonymity of this chain is where the appeal lies. Obviously the disparity between fine silver links lying delicately around *that* muscular neck is quite appealing too but the minimal modernity of the chain has made it the accessory icon of our times.
It’s perfect to simply slip into our pared back wardrobes, no other styling required. You could imagine Lindsay Holland or Brittany Bathgate sliding a chain beneath a plain white tee and of course there is also the eternal appeal of a borrowed-from-your-boyfriend style staple.
In the book, Connell’s chain was described as “Argos chic” and was likely Elizabeth Duke – Argos’s now defunct own label jewellery brand. To quench your thirst, we’ve rounded up the most perfect chains that are online right now. Actual Connell not included, sorry.