Suddenly Everywhere: Fringe

By Amy Flurry
October 14, 2010

It’s easy to associate fringe with a period style (20's flapper), a mood (traditional Western-wear), a moment (80’s Avant-garde), a vibe (Stevie Nicks)... but rarely is it referred to as a classic accent. Yet fringe styles have returned again, adorning much more than just shoes, handbags and jewelry.

It started with the Minnetonka fringe boots and the suede fringe bag tucked under all of Hollywood's "it" girls. And we could always count on Kate Moss to work the fringe look, a staple of her boho chic aesthetic, in a new and interesting way and without a shred of gimmick. But what looked to be a fleeting fashion trend was actually a prelude to a much larger embrace by top fashion designers.

Kate Moss (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

"Fringe has been used in such time-specific styles that the challenge for designers right now is to see the material apart from those references, to use it in ways that don't necessarily call any of those eras to mind," says Laurel Wells, a former senior fashion designer for clothing and accessories brand Hayden-Harnett, who recently launched her own jewelry line, Laurel Wells jewelry, with fringe style as a major component. "I use fringe because of its unique properties—my fringe is made of rayon, which soaks up dye particularly well and can convey the most brilliant and unexpected colors."

For Fall, fashion designer Ricardo Tisci cut fringe into curvilinear shapes that evoke hemlines in motion for Givenchy and Derek Lam’s American West-inspired collection saw skirts with long bands of fringe style. But when Rodarte trimmed sweaters, and even shaped beautiful dress shoulders with a heavier knit shag-rug fringe, Wall Street Journal fashion reporter Christy Binkley predicted we'd all be seeing more of the hanging threads' and cords' trickle down effect.

Derek Lam, Rodarte, Moschino

Derek Lam (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images); Rodarte (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images); Moschino (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images)

Not only was Binkley right on for the 2010 style trends, but the fringe fashion trend is also picking up steam as we move forward. For Spring 2011, Balenciaga covered stiletto heels in metallic threads that shimmy when set in motion. Only last week in Paris fashion shows, the strands were swinging on the spring ready-to-wear runways of Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Marc Jacobs.

Balenciaga, Chanel, Louis Vuitton

Balenciaga (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images); Chanel (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images); Louis Vuitton (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

On eBay, listings with the term "fringe" are up 25 percent sales are up 22 percent in the past month vs. a month-long period approximately one year ago. We took to the online marketplace to get the look and turned up great examples that will impress—and often for much less!

Roll over items for details

Vintage 70s Grey Shaggy Fringe Cape Coat

(current bid, $9.99)

NEW Gold Hawk Fringe Sheer Poncho

(buy it now price, $29.75)

Moschino Suede Brown Fringe Skirt

(buy it now price, $69)

Cream Knit Crochet Fringe Scarf

(buy it now price, $19)

Vintage Leather Rodeo Fringe Coat

(buy it now price, $29.99)

Viktor & Rolf Black Fringe Button Jacket

(buy it now, $999.99)

Vintage Napier Snake Fringe Clip Earrings

(buy it now price, $42.50)

Brian Atwood Tan Suede Fringe Heel Boots

(current bid, $30.55)

NEW Jimmy Choo Snake Embossed Fringe Hobo

(buy it now price, $711.55)

NEW Sass & Bide Black Fringe Leggings

(buy it now price, $310)

Vintage Whiting Davis Mesh Fringe Cuff

(buy it now price, $80.95)

NEW Michal Negrin Leather Fringe Belt

(starting bid, $99.99)

NEW Fringe Vest Bolero

(buy it now price, $72.70)

Vintage Boho Fringe Wool Hippie Coat

(buy it now price, $328)

NEW Christian Louboutin Suede Fringe Heels

(buy it now price, $599.65)

1. A fringe overlay takes a standard tank top from ho-hum to wow.

2. This fringed poncho plays on another of the season's top trends: capes.

3. This brown suede beaded fringe skirt is a playful nod to pioneer wear.

4. Knits with fringe, like this cream scarf, were layered at Rodarte's fall collection.

5. This double-breasted, cowgirl-inspired style is a steal at only $29.99.

6. The band of silk fringe that dusts the knees on this Viktor and Rolf button jacket is removable.

7. At Chanel ready-to-wear for Spring, the fringe earrings grazed the shoulder. We like these shorter but equally dramatic vintage snake chain fringe earrings.

8. Fringe combine with a kitten heel and top-stitching makes for a bold designer statement.

9. We like the way the fringe detailing of this snake-embossed hobo extends all the way to the shoulder strap.

10. Sass & Bide's looped fringe leggings take the look to a whole new level.

11. Just the slightest hint of fringe sets off this vintage Whiting and Davis Mesh cuff bracelet.

12. Floral meets fringe in this playful belt.

13. The cape-like shape and oversized, chunky knit of this sweater are all the rage right now.

14. A black fringed bolero takes an outfit from day to night.

15. Black fringe and signature red soles on these Christian Louboutin suede heels are undeniably hot.

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