You’ve probably seen fringe fashion on handbags, suede jackets, or dresses while you’re out in the streets, scrolling through social media, or at your local shopping mall. Fringes in western-style clothing have been around for a while now, but how familiar are you with its history and journey through time?
Origins of Fringes in Western Style Clothing
Fading in and out of the fashion scene, this has been the cycle with fringes for about a century now in the western world. However, many say the fringe originates way back to 3000 B.C. in Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq. Old scriptures and statues have proven this style has been worn by all classes of people in ancient civilizations – mostly seen in shawls and skirts. Wealthier individuals adorned these garments that are made of silk, while others linen or cotton. Unique to the Mesopotamian era, fringes were even pressed on clay as a way to sign important contracts instead of using their names. Apart from Mesopotamia, Native Americans are another group of pioneers known to incorporate leather fringes into their garments, but the embellishments were usually sewn separately.
Initial Purpose of Fringes
Believe it or not, the fringe style emerged for practical use before becoming an embellishment on clothing. Initially made from only leather or suede materials, it was first incorporated into garments to help repel rainwater. They were designed as such so that raindrops would travel down the tassels of the garment and away from the body. On the other hand, Native Americans do not trim seams as doing so is considered wasteful. It takes a long time to create a leather garment, so its seams would be clipped instead for embellishment. The excess portion made into fringe would also be adorned with dyes or beads. Today, fringes in western-style clothing is solely for decoration.
Fringe Seen in Western Style Clothing Today
Popularized during the 1920s, this period was considered its golden age of fringe fashion thanks to designers like Madeline Vionette and Charles Worth. Celebrities donned loose dresses cut from luxurious materials which were then stylized with a fringed trim. It fell in and out of fashion until the 1950s when people started wearing fringe looks with a more rebellious twist – think leather motorbike jackets and embellished gloves. The cycle continued over the decades with designers revolutionizing the trend by adding their own touches, which leads us to today. Recently seen on garments made by names like Hugo Boss, Anna Sui, and Diane Von Furstenberg and on fashion shows, there’s no doubt it’s time to incorporate fringe styling into our casual wear – on handbags, wide-brimmed hats, boots, and jackets. If you aren’t into the full-on cowgirl look, wearing the mentioned accessories over a basic, laid-back outfit can make a world of a difference.
Match Your Fringed Accessories with Pieces from The Dirty Cowgirl
If you’re looking to get a cowgirl outfit to match your cowboy boots, we have exactly what you need. At The Dirty Cowgirl, we stock high-quality country girl outfits in an extensive range of designs and colors. Browse our product line for apparel and accessories to perfect your look.
If you have any inquiries about our range of products or services, contact us and we’ll be happy to help.