Darth Vader has many distinctive elements that come with his armor. His fearsome mask and helmet, belt, and chestplate are among them. Yet, we may not have noticed the chain around his neck. Why did Vader start wearing it and what purpose does it serve? The chain has useful and ornamental purposes, and possibly symbolic ones too.
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Why Did Vader Start to Wear a Chain?
Once Anakin completely transformed into Vader, he started wearing a chain. It came with Vader’s armor, and we can see it go around his neck. The chain serves a practical purpose, to hold his cape on, or keep it attached to his armor around his collar.
Yet, the chain also seems to have an ornamental style too. The chain adds to Vader’s imposing character and intimidation factor. Vader’s suit is designed to provide life support and intimidation. The chain accompanies this second purpose.
That decorative element may have been inspired by samurai influences. Lucas is known to have drawn on filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s work, and “Vader’s foreboding attire was heavily influenced by the Kabuto armor” of the samurai. We see this influence most in Vader’s helmet, but incorporating a chain also has connections. 
In the 1300s, Japanese samurai used chains to make entire suits of armor. Kusari, or Japanese chain mail, “used two different shaped rings and links to create their mail” and had “more variations” than others who used chain mail, like European knights. These overlapping metal rings protected and decorated the samurai. By including a chain around Vader’s neck, it may well serve as a link back to the samurai as a model for Vader’s suit.
We should also recognize how Dr. Doom provided a model for Vader’s suit and by extension his chain. Doom’s appearance and chain in front of his chest is an “alleged inspiration” for Vader’s outfit. In both cases, the chain serves to exert power and fearsomeness.
Other Reasons for Vader’s Chain
Perhaps the chain holds symbolic value too. The chain could be a reference for how Palpatine controls Vader. On-screen and in the comics, we have seen how manipulative Sidious is, including to Vader. Sidious has no compunctions about using Vader until he finds his replacement in the form of Luke.
Another reason could be that Vader is subordinate to Grand Moff Tarkin. In A New Hope and follow-up shows like The Bad Batch, we witness Tarkin as a formidable leader. Although it has not been made clear “just who had the more power and authority,” Vader does “seem to obey Tarkin.”
Vader’s chain could also symbolize how he was “outside the normal chain of command,” linked ambiguous to the imperial rankings. Vader may also be seen as holding an “invisible rank” and perhaps the chain is a reminder of that outsider status.
In addition, “Vader’s chain” could “signify enslavement to the Empire” overall. Although he exudes power, Vader could be viewed as trapped within the confines of his suit, the dark side, and the Imperial bureaucratic system. After all, he did return to the light side and expressed a sense of liberation when his mask came off. We could add that ridding himself of his chain provided freedom too.
The Chain Around Vader’s Neck
First and foremost, Vader’s chain provides a way to keep his cape attached to his armor. Yet, it also has a decorative value that resonates with samurai inspirations. It may also be connected or tied to symbolism about Vader’s role within the Imperial galaxy.