Fringe details

Bring Back the 70s – All About Fringe Details

The 1970s were an important decade in fashion, introducing an era of creative designs, playful fabric, and new textiles. One of the most recognizable details in clothing from the 70s is fringe. This decorative trim adorned with loose threads is both fun and stylish, taking its form on purses, sweaters, jeans, boots, and more. Whether you’re a fashionist or a nostalgic style enthusiast, there are so many interesting uses of fringe from this era. Here, we’ll explore it all – from fringe details to the best styles featuring it.

Fringe History and Meaning

Fringe has been used in fashion since at least the Middle Ages. This trim has long been symbolic of the free-spirited cultural movements of the 20th century. Indeed, fringe is strongly associated with bohemian fashion, the idea of creating clothing for leisure.

During the 70s, it was common to see mini skirts, bell-bottoms, and other eccentric garments with dangling threads or loose strips of fabric. While it was popular among hippies during the Vietnam War, its strong statement in fashion carried over to other generations. Moreover, its association with liberty led to the adoption of fringe details by African American culture. The vintage flare of this trim has endured throughout the decades.

Fashion Uses of Fringe

As we’ve explored, there is a variety of uses of fringe. To begin, you can find fringe in any type of clothing ranging from jackets, blazers, and overalls to skirts, ponchos, and scarves. Furthermore, fringed handbags, boots, and purses are also very trendy, allowing you to integrate this detail into your entire wardrobe.

Fringe also comes in all lengths. While it tends to be longer for jackets and coats, for skirts it is usually shorter. Additionally, it’s common to find decorated items with long drapes of fringe, creating intricate shapes for an artistic effect. Every decade tends to have its own version of this decorative element, and the 70s often featured shorter and choppy threads.

The Best 70s Fringe Fashion

From suede fringed skirts to detailed cowboy boots, there were some fascinating looks that included fringe during the 70s. Amongst the most popular were the denim bell-bottoms, typically featuring two layers of mini tassels or a single row of long thread. Likewise, suede jackets were a must-have, as its texture allowed fringe to take center stage.

Dresses were also popular, with bell-sleeved minidresses making a statement in the summer. These garments often featured geometric lines of decorative tassels in various colors. For warm afternoons, ponchos were the perfect pick, sometimes featuring a long fringe robe. Finally, for a sassy style, boot cut jeans added the perfect touch of attitude to any day with their fringe details.