Why A Fish Necklace Is All You Need This Summer

Let’s face it: a little bit of luck wouldn’t go amiss right now. Some people find theirs in the form of a worry stone rubbed smooth in the pocket of a battered tote. Others swear by a crystal with a name like Moonlight Selenite or Charged Obsidian, buried deep in their jeans. The particularly committed might be spotted dangling a rabbit foot off their rear-view mirror - equal parts kitsch and curse, depending on your view of small mammal memorabilia.

But the fashion crowd are increasingly bypassing all of that in favour of something altogether shinier. Around their necks? Fish. Not the slimy, market-fresh sort, but delicate, carved, gold-plated, diamond-encrusted, and often slightly surreal fish necklaces. Do keep up.

A fish, you ask? Bear with us for a brief history of lucky symbolism: historically speaking, fish have long been associated with good fortune, especially in Chinese and Japanese cultures where they symbolise prosperity, perseverance, and abundance. In Libya, fish motifs are thought to repel bad energy, ward off the evil eye and usher in joy, liberty, and, crucially, luck. You see, good luck all around.

It’s little wonder, then, that fish jewellery is surfacing with increasing regularity among the well-accessorised. UK label Blooming Dreamer has found an audience with its whimsical Fish Comb and Koi necklaces - both frequently spotted on perennial tastemakers Lucy Williams and Leandra Medine Cohen. Meanwhile, Alighieri (the cult London label best known for turning Dante’s Inferno into a treasure trove of molten accessories), offers The Catch of The Day, a pendant that looks like its been dredged from the depths of myth and polished for a chic dinner party. Over in Zurich-via-Libya, sisters Mariam and Dania Sawedeg of Kamushki have made the Wishbone pendant their calling card - part lucky charm, part modern heirloom.

So, if you’ve already dabbled in shell earrings and that one art-teacher-chic beaded necklace that somehow works with everything, this might be your next move. Call it sartorial superstition. Or, put simply, the jewellery equivalent of crossing your fingers. Either way, it’s working for us. Fish on.

Shop The Best Fish Necklaces Below

Henrik Lischke is the senior fashion features editor at Grazia. Prior to that, he held the role of commerce writer at British Vogue, and was junior fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style. A first-class honours Fashion Journalism graduate from UAL: London College of fashion, Henrik is invariably on the lookout for the newest talent in fashion, that is driving the industry forward, and shining the spotlight on them whenever possible. He’s also got a passion for interiors design and the arts. Follow Henrik on Instagram @henriklischke.