What is a fringe on a garment?

Have you ever noticed those cool, hanging threads on the edges of some clothes? Maybe on a scarf that your grandma wears or on those fancy cowboy jackets in old Western movies? Those hanging bits are called fringe! Fringe is a decorative border made of hanging threads, strips, or other ornaments attached to the edge of a piece of clothing or fabric. People have been adding fringe to their clothes for thousands of years, not just to make them look nice but sometimes for practical reasons too.

The Story of Fringe Through Time

Ancient Beginnings

Fringe isn’t something new that fashion designers just came up with recently. People in ancient times were already decorating their clothes with fringe! In places like Mesopotamia (which is now Iraq), people wore clothes with fringe as far back as 3000 BCE. They made fringe by leaving the warp threads of woven fabric hanging loose at the edges instead of cutting them off. These early fringes weren’t just for show – they helped keep the fabric from unraveling too!

The ancient Egyptians and Greeks also liked fringe on their clothes. For them, fringe wasn’t just pretty – it could show how rich or important you were. The longer and fancier your fringe, the more important you might be!

Native American Traditions

Native American tribes have a long and beautiful history with fringe. They added fringe to their buckskin clothes, which are made from deer hide. The fringe on these clothes wasn’t just for looks – it had practical uses too! When it rained, water would run down the fringe instead of soaking into the clothes. The movement of the fringe also helped scare away bugs when walking through tall grass.

Different tribes had their own special ways of creating and using fringe. Some might add beads or dye the fringe with natural colors. These designs told stories about the person wearing them or their tribe’s traditions.

Western Wear and Cowboys

When you think of fringe, you might picture cowboys and cowgirls with their fancy fringe jackets and chaps. In the American West during the 1800s, settlers started copying some Native American clothing styles, including fringe. Cowboys found that fringe on their leather chaps and jackets was helpful – just like the Native Americans discovered, fringe helped shed rain and could even provide some protection from thorny bushes.

By the time Hollywood started making Western movies, fringe had become a must-have for any cowboy outfit. Those swinging fringe jackets in old Western films helped make fringe famous!

Types of Fringe on Modern Clothes

Leather Fringe

Leather fringe is super popular and has been used on jackets, boots, purses, and more. It’s made by cutting thin strips into leather and letting them hang loose. Leather fringe moves really nicely when you walk or dance, which is why it became so popular during the 1960s and 1970s. Hippies and rock stars loved leather fringe jackets because they looked dramatic when dancing or performing on stage.

Fabric and Thread Fringe

This type of fringe is made from threads or yarn that hang from the edge of fabric. You might see this kind of fringe on scarves, shawls, or blankets. Sometimes the fringe is made from the same material as the main fabric, and sometimes decorative threads are added later. Thread fringe can be straight and neat or twisted into little ropes for a different look.

Beaded Fringe

Beaded fringe takes regular fringe up a notch by adding beads to the hanging threads. This makes the fringe catch the light and adds weight so it hangs nicely. Beaded fringe was super popular in the 1920s during the “flapper” era. Those short dresses with rows of beaded fringe would swing and make noise when women danced the Charleston!

How Fringe is Made

Method	Materials	Common Uses	Special Features	Difficulty to Make
Knotted Fringe	Yarn or thread	Scarves, blankets	Can be made by hand	Easy
Cut Fringe	Leather, suede, fabric	Jackets, bags	Creates uniform strips	Medium
Attached Fringe	Pre-made fringe trim	Home decor, costumes	Quick to apply	Easy
Beaded Fringe	Thread with beads	Dresses, lampshades	Catches light, makes sound	Hard
Bullion Fringe	Twisted cord	Furniture, curtains	Very elegant look	Very Hard
Unraveled Fringe	Woven fabric	Jeans, casual wear	Natural, rustic appearance	Easy

Making fringe might look hard, but some types are actually pretty easy to create at home! The simplest way is to make knotted fringe on something like a scarf. You just leave extra yarn when you’re making the scarf, then knot it in groups to create the fringe effect.

For leather fringe, craftspeople cut thin strips into the edge of the leather but don’t cut all the way off. This creates those cool swinging strips we see on western jackets and boots.

There’s also store-bought fringe trim that you can sew onto almost anything if you want to add some fringe to your clothes or home decorations. This is probably the easiest way to add fringe to something if you’re not a professional.

Fringe in Fashion Today

Fringe comes and goes in fashion, but it never really disappears! Some years, you’ll see fringe everywhere – on the runway, in stores, and on celebrities. Other years, it might be harder to find. Fashion designers like to bring back fringe every few years because it adds movement and fun to clothes.

In recent years, fringe has appeared on everything from fancy dresses to casual t-shirts. Some designers use tiny, delicate fringe for a subtle look, while others go big with long, dramatic fringe that swings when you move.

Caring for Fringed Items

If you have clothes with fringe, you need to take special care of them! Fringe can get tangled or matted if you’re not careful. Here are some tips:

Be gentle when washing fringed items. Hand washing is usually best, but if you must use a washing machine, put the item in a mesh laundry bag first.

Don’t wring or twist fringe when it’s wet – this can cause it to tangle badly. Instead, gently press out excess water and lay the item flat to dry.

Comb through the fringe with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb once it’s dry to keep it looking neat.

Store fringed items carefully so the fringe doesn’t get crushed or tangled. Hanging jackets and scarves works better than folding them.

DIY: Add Fringe to Your Stuff

Want to try adding fringe to something you already own? Here’s a simple way to do it:

You can buy fringe trim at craft and fabric stores. It comes in many colors and styles.

Decide where you want to put the fringe – maybe along the bottom of a plain skirt or around the edges of a plain shawl.

You can either sew the fringe on by hand or use fabric glue if you don’t like sewing.

Start small with a simple project before trying to add fringe to something complicated!

Adding fringe is a great way to make something old feel new again, or to make a plain store-bought item feel more special and personal.

Fringe Beyond Fashion

Fringe isn’t just for clothes! You might see fringe on:

Lampshades – especially vintage ones Curtains and window treatments Rugs and tapestries Pillows and throw blankets Furniture like chairs and couches

In home decor, fringe adds texture and a touch of elegance. A simple pillow looks much fancier with some fringe around the edges!

Musicians sometimes add fringe to their instruments or equipment. Piano shawls with fringe were popular in the past, and some guitar straps still have fringe today.

FAQ About Fringe

Is fringe only for Western or boho styles?

No! While fringe is common in Western wear and bohemian fashion, it appears in many other styles too. Luxury brands use fringe in elegant evening wear, and sports teams sometimes have fringe on uniforms or accessories.

Can I add fringe to any garment?

Technically yes, but fringe works better on some items than others. Fringe adds bulk and movement, so it works best on outer layers or accessories where it won’t get in the way or feel uncomfortable.

Does fringe serve any practical purpose today?

While most modern fringe is decorative, some still serves practical purposes. Fringe on outdoor gear can still help with water runoff, and fringe on some scarves helps them stay warmer by trapping air.

How long does fringe last?

The durability of fringe depends on the material and how well you care for it. Leather fringe can last for decades if properly maintained, while delicate beaded fringe might need repairs after just a few wearings.

Is making fringe difficult?

Some types of fringe are very easy to make at home, while others require special skills or tools. Knotted yarn fringe is beginner-friendly, but fine bullion fringe for furniture typically requires professional skills.

Fringe has been with us throughout human history and continues to swing its way through fashion and home decor today. Whether you like just a touch of fringe on a scarf or want to go all-out with a fully fringed jacket, this decorative element adds movement, texture, and personality to ordinary items. Next time you see fringe swinging on someone’s clothes or home furnishings, you’ll know there’s more to those decorative threads than meets the eye!