Fringe is fashionable

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Fringe is fashionable

— by Angie

on August 28, 2008

If you like fringe, this is your season. Robin Hood meets Pocahontas with a bit of the Wild West and the good old ‘70’s thrown into the mix. You’ll find boots, shoes, handbags, scarves and clothes overtly trimmed with statement fringe in stores right now.

This is not my favourite Autumn 2008 trend. I don’t fancy fringe on anything other than a flirty 1920’s flapper dress, and I only purchase items with fringe if I can remove it (for example, scarves). I’ll be bypassing this one. Will you?

Autumn 2008 · Footwear

40 comments · Add a comment

Tanya

I’ll pass as well, I do not like this trend. The only acceptable fringe details for me are the trims on the shorter sides of oblong winter scarves. Of course, it is an entirely different story when it comes to fringe in ballroom costumes: it moves with the wearer and enhances the motion, and thus I’d only wear it in that situation.

August 28, 2008 at 7:13 am

Vanessa Ridley

(website)

I agree…this is not my favorite look.

August 28, 2008 at 7:13 am

Tanya

Just for fun, here’s an action shot of fringe on the dance floor:

http://www.ballroomdancers.com.....38;Style=2

August 28, 2008 at 7:18 am

Real Style Real People

(website)

Funny, we must be on the same wavelength this morn b/c I was going to post on fringe, but I decided on something else. But I agree with you. I do like the purse and scarve though that you have shown!

August 28, 2008 at 7:21 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ooooh la la Tanya! Love that shot of the ballroom dancer. I’ve increased my fringe tolerance to flapper dresses AND ballroom dancing dresses.

August 28, 2008 at 7:37 am

Lannie

I sometimes like fringe on the right scarf, and I don’t mind it on that bag you’ve shown here, but on footwear I feel like it’s too much (for me, anyway). It definitely gives off a hippy/boho vibe, and that can be fine on the right accessory, but a whole sweater like the one up there? Gah!

August 28, 2008 at 7:37 am

Ronni

I totally agree with you Angie, didn’t like the fringe trend in the 70’s and won’t buy it now. Except as Lannie says above maybe on a scarf.

August 28, 2008 at 7:54 am

(website)

Ah, I thought you meant bangs at first I like bangs, just not fringe.

August 28, 2008 at 8:00 am

Joy

I’ll pass on this trend. The only clothing I can imagine wearing with fringe might be a scarf, but I’d prefer straight hem or ruffles.

August 28, 2008 at 8:00 am

Kristers

Except for scarf fringe and flapper dresses, not planning on sporting it any time soon. Maybe if it was a statement dress and I was invited to the academy awards or something….

But back in reality, I’m not a hippy or a cowboy and I think the fashion police might just call me on it.

August 28, 2008 at 8:15 am

Munequita

Not a fringe lover either. I don’t mind it in scarves though.

August 28, 2008 at 8:15 am

Joelle

Other than on scarves, I don’t much like fringe, and even on scarves I don’t like it if it’s too long and stringy-looking. It makes the scarf look like it’s unraveling. So I will be passing on this trend as well. Although I have to say it looks cute on that pink bag in the photo.

August 28, 2008 at 8:20 am

Ellen

I like that blue scarf on the left, otherwise, fringe does NOT appeal to me.

August 28, 2008 at 8:47 am

Ellen

I like that blue scarf on the left, otherwise, fringe does NOT appeal to me. It’s so messy looking.

August 28, 2008 at 8:48 am

Ellen

Ooops, hit submit before I meant to there and WordPress got mad at me.

August 28, 2008 at 8:50 am

Meredith

I love fringe on the right sorts of pieces, and I love the boots you have pictured up there. But I won’t be purchasing any fringe any time soon, as I think it overwhelms shorties like me. I think it looks fun and daring on tall, bohemian-type gals.

August 28, 2008 at 8:51 am

Patience

I will admit that I tried on some fringed tall boots at NAS for fun but they were definitely not my cup of tea. The fringe look is generally not for me but I don’t mind it on scarves (although I don’t like the one pictured since it almost all fringe). You also never know when something might pop up. I have been admiring these shoes from afar (the heel is too high and unstable)

http://www.endless.com/STEVEN-.....e%20Madden|STEVEN%20by%20Steve%20Madden&secondaryBrands=

August 28, 2008 at 9:03 am

Laurel

(website)

I’ve still got my brown, suede, flower messenger bag with fringe – Angie and I bought two different shades of brown at The Rack a few years ago. Angie, as as promised, took her fringe off right away. I cut my to about 1/2 the lengh… I guess I’ll bust it out from the back of the closet. I saved it knewing it would come back in style. Do you still have yours Angie? I’m guessing not.

August 28, 2008 at 9:27 am

Nicole

Well, there is a BIG difference between the fringe on the blue scarf, and the fringe on the mocs. (I had a pair of mocs like that back in the 80s, BTW, they were quite popular to wear with black denim skinny jeans).

I’m neither for or against fringe, and I would have to decide whether I like it on each individual piece. It’s a little too fussy for my overall style, I think…but never say never!

August 28, 2008 at 9:33 am

lori

i did the fringe thing/moccasins in the ’80’s – i think i’ll pass!

August 28, 2008 at 9:36 am

Sal

(website)

I thought I’d shun this one, but it’s growing on me. On something like a handbag, I think fringe can be cheeky and fun. But I agree that, ideally, it should be reserved for a slinky black number being worn by a flapper doing the Charleston!

August 28, 2008 at 9:49 am

Dani

I can see wearing it on a scarf, but that’s about all. I’ll wait and see what pops up in the stores.

August 28, 2008 at 9:58 am

Tanya2

I like it all right, and LOVED it in the 80s, but I think I would feel a little silly wearing it now.

August 28, 2008 at 10:46 am

Risa

I think fringe is best left on Grandma’s afghan.

Sadly however, it is making an amazing showing already here in Germany. But then, the 80s sort of never ended here so it probably isnt new fringe Im seeing but very cool retro fringe.

August 28, 2008 at 11:06 am

Sophia

I personally love this trend. Its very boho but chic. I already have some vintage boots from the 80’s. (though they need insoles or they kill my feet)

August 28, 2008 at 11:30 am

Sarah

I love that teal scarf! I would have it if it wasn’t for the price tag and my lack of money. I also think the bottom middle pair of boots would look fab with the right outfit, but I am not in need of boots this fall.

August 28, 2008 at 11:49 am

Nicoleb

i love the scarf and i really want a pair of those lace up Minnetoka moc boots in black. They’re on my list

So i guess some fringe is ok with me

August 28, 2008 at 1:04 pm

sihaya

Funny, I was going to post on fringe too. Antje and I had a shopping date this week and I noticed a lot of fringe in the shoes dept at Nordstrom’s. This style doesn’t work for me and, like you, I’ll be bypassing this trend.

August 28, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Mary

Ah, … no. Bad things happen to fringe. And it will look dated all too soon. That means high cost per wearing, right? (The ankle boots are kinda cute, though ….)

August 28, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Amy

Eww to fringe. The only proper place for a fringe is at the ends of a scarf. I won’t even buy a scarf with fringe along the sides. It’s too much. Way too many flashbacks of being a serious dork in the 70’s with the home-crocheted ponchos, white Mary Janes, and Dorothy Hamill haircut!

August 28, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Wendy

Patience, those shoes in black are fabulous!

August 28, 2008 at 4:56 pm

Lulu

I love fringe on accessories. I have a brown leather bag with fringe and the pair of tan moccasin boots with laces that Angie showed. For the last 15 years fringe was “in” twice, the first time in the mid-90s, which was when I made those two fringe purchases and another time a few years back. I wore my fringe happily both times. However, in the recent two years trends have come and passed much faster than before, so I’m not sure how “back” or “in” anything is nowadays.

August 29, 2008 at 12:04 am

Shell

with harley’s 105th anniversary bash going on here in milwaukee, i have seen more than my fair share of fringe this week! not to mention studs, bandanas, leather, and do-rags!

But honestly, i don’t mind fringe on scarves, but that’s about it.

August 29, 2008 at 12:31 am

Abby

Yeah, I don’t like it. I think it looks really tacky in most circumstances, though I admit to wearing a small amount of fringe on several small items, like scarves or the occasional bag. But otherwise it makes you look like a little kid trying too hard, someone who thinks they’re a biker, or a cowboy. Especially when it’s leather fringe. I don’t like that at all.

August 29, 2008 at 4:12 am

Debbie M

I like fringe just fine but find it very impractical. It’s hard to take care of and gets knotted up and gets caught in things. I try not to buy anything with fringe, but sometimes I can’t resist a scarf or rug that is otherwise awesome. And then I may end up removing the fringe anyway.

August 29, 2008 at 7:28 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow, far few takers for the fringe trend than I expected. Interesting. Looks like scarves and bags with fringe are generally in favour.

Laurel, you’re right. I cut that fringe off as soon as I got home. I do not have that bag anymore. That sling bag went to a client who absolutely loved it. It found a better home.

August 29, 2008 at 9:31 am

Anna @ Shoe Smitten

(website)

I’m not a fan of this trend – although some bags look amazing with just a touch of fringe…but NOT THE WHOLE BAG!!!

August 29, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Debbie M

My boyfriend disagrees with me about the impracticality of fringe. He says that fringe on Davy Crocket jackets is vital. Sometimes you need a leather strap, and then you can just cut one off.

August 30, 2008 at 5:56 am

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