The return of the cross pendant

Fashion in 2024 has taken a trip down nostalgia lane with the revival of countless trends from the way-back-whens—from cargo pants, slip dresses, and the favourite leopard print to accessories like chokers, bucket hats, and chunky cuffs. And while we were anticipating the next (revival) trend, the iconic cross pendant surely wasn’t on that list.

It began with Kim Kardashian seen sporting a massive cross necklace at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles. An important piece of cultural history, the necklace is said to have been worn by only one other person—a very important one, if we may add—Princess Diana who wore the ‘Attallah Cross’ to a charity ball in October 1987. Kardashian styled the massive amethyst and diamond studded cross necklace differently, shortening the pearl chain and pairing it with a choker and an added necklace for a more dramatic look. Met with mixed reactions, the internet soon turned on Kardashian for inserting herself into yet another culturally significant piece of fashion history (remember Marilyn Monroe’s dress?). Regardless, it’s hard to ignore the trend that is making its way back into our closets.

The cross pendant was a fashion staple in pop culture between the mid to late 2000s. Look up any pop music video from the time, and you’ll spot at least someone (likely the main star) sporting either a rosary with a cross or a simple yet statement-worthy cross pendant on a chain. Not long after, the look quickly picked up with men, women, and even teens embracing the cross pendant, pairing it with a tank or tee. Even the early 2010s saw actors sporting the pendant albeit with a more minimal aesthetic. But the cross pendant trend can be traced way back to the ‘60s and ‘70s when it took on new meaning beyond its religious roots, becoming an accent piece for rock icons like Elvis Presley. That might have been the first significant time the cross pendant was seen in a bold, statement avatar. 

By the ‘80s, fashion was defined by the punk aesthetic, with goth and grunge taking centre stage. During this time, the cross pendant took on a more rebellious character rather than a badge of attitude, as seen in the ‘70s. Who can forget Madonna’s look in her music video "Like A Virgin"? The artist paired her cross necklace with a white wedding dress for a look that pushed boundaries and set the stage for her rebellious image and edgy fashion.

From there it transcended into an effortlessly cool style statement during the ‘90s and early 2000s, blending into both high fashion and streetwear. Pop icons like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera frequently wore cross necklaces in their videos and public appearances, cementing the accessory’s association with early 2000s pop culture. Spears, for example, was often seen with layered necklaces that included cross pendants, giving her looks a blend of innocence and edge that resonated with young fans​. Cross pendants became especially popular among male stars as well—rappers 50 Cent and Eminem made the cross necklace an integral part of their streetwear aesthetic, which influenced many fans and cemented the look as gender-neutral. 

Closer to home, the cross pendant has made significant appearances in Bollywood with iconic looks that added a touch of rebellious edge or understated chicness to the characters. Take, for instance, Aishwarya Rai’s character in the movie Josh (2000). She sported a small cross pendant on a black thread, which added boldness to her tomboyish character, Shirley, who was part of a biker gang. This look captured the raw and edgy street style of the time and when paired with the leather jacket, white tee, and checked skirt, her look went on to become memorable. From there, the cross pendant took on a bolder avatar with male actors like Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Hrithik Roshan, among others, sporting a rosary with a cross, both in movies and in real life—making a statement on both fashion and spirituality. Speaking of the latter, the cross then became a symbol of spirituality, at least in films, to depict the mild-mannered religious persona of characters like Katrina Kaif in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) and Deepika Padukone in Finding Fanny (2014). Both characters sported delicate cross pendants that highlighted their soft-spoken, quirky personas. Their outfits, with the simple pendant, brought across their simple casual style that embodied innocence and accessibility, which appealed to audiences, bringing back the cross pendant in a more subdued way this time. 

Throughout these decades, the cross pendant shifted from religious roots to a broader symbol of personal style, adapting to each era’s prevailing aesthetic, and while the trend had died down (or so we thought), it was clearly only in hibernation because the cross pendant is back, and this time it is bigger, bolder, and better (still open for debate). And Kim Kardashian isn’t the only one sporting this revived trend. The new season of Netflix’s Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives brought in the newly-minted crowd favourite Shalini Passi, unafraid and unapologetic, and her cross-themed jewellery conveyed her fashion-forward aesthetic perfectly. The Delhi-based reality star has sported cross pendants and earrings multiple times on the show and in other public appearances. These included intricate pendants with vibrant emeralds and sapphire gemstones that complemented her bold fashion choices. 

Between Kardashian and Passi, it’s tough to pick one star that does justice to the cross-pendant trend, but its return in 2024 remains a quiet reminder of fashion's cyclical nature and the fact that timeless trends can still feel fresh no matter how ancient. But the question remains: are we ready to (re)embrace a revived fashion trend like the cross pendant? Or should fashion folks focus on moving forward and creating new significant trends without relying on the past for inspiration? 

Lead image credit: IMDb

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