Fringe jackets in all their flamboyancy are popping up everywhere, and you really should get yourself a pair.
Fringe jacket? What’s that?
Fringe jackets are jackets with hanging strips of materials (fringe, not to be mistaken for the British version of bangs) in specific areas, usually the sleeves, pockets, busts, and back.
History of Fringe
Fringe has been around for a very long time now. It has popped in and out of style several times too.
Fringe was first used in fashion as embellishments in the 1920s. Flappers were easily recognized in their fringe-covered dresses flapping away.
History of Fringe Jacket
Jackets aren’t the only clothes that have fringe on them. Tops, dresses, pants could also be made with the addition of decorative embellishment.
However, fringe jackets weren’t worn for fashion until the 1950s. It was during that time that Elvis Presley’s fringe jackets became part of his signature look. Elvis Presley’s rainbow fringe leather jacket that he wore many times during the years 1972 to 1974. The jacket was given to Elvis by Henry Lewis of the Hilton Hotel Las Vegas.
Other celebrities, too, have since then given the fringe jacket the stamp of approval.
Supermodel, Soo Joo Park dresses down the fringe jacket with a basic white top, jeans with rolled-up hems and pretty Chanel heels.
Emma Roberts donned on a fringe jacket to the Longchamp show. She paired it with a blue macramé skirt and blue suede boot, and she looked amazing.
Before fringe jackets became a fashion piece, they were (and still are) associated with cowboys. Now, why would cowboys wear jackets with dangling thingies on them? Well.
Why cowboy clothes had fringes
To prevent a cut piece of fabric from unraveling:
Fringe prevents a cut piece of fabric from unraveling when hemming wasn’t used. The Western culture believed hemming was wasting materials. The jackets were made from leather which was expensive and took a while to complete. They felt that hemming the ends was wasting materials, so they were knotted into fringes.
To allow the garment to drip and dry faster when wet:
Fringes at the ends of clothes acted as a series of wicks for the water to drip from.
The jackets often had shoulder areas with double thickness. Basically, the areas most likely to get wet by rain were thicker than the rest of the coat, thus taking longer to wet through.
The adverse effect of this was that it’d take a very long time to dry when it did get sufficiently wet. Hence why, the area was fringed to lead water away from the body of the jacket so the jacket could dry faster.
Still, the fringe provided a larger surface area for air to interact with on drying faster. So the fringes dried quicker, and more water-soaked them from the garment, and the cycle continued till the entire garment became dry.
Provides a strip for when you want to tie things:
The original fringe jackets had long fringes that could be cut off to tie things. This was very helpful for hunters who didn’t go around with extra baggage but would sometimes need to secure their game legs. It also helped them find their way back home as they could tie the strips on certain trees as markers, their own personal maps.
To break off the silhouette of your body:
Fringes on jackets helped to distort the outline of your body while hunting, so it made it harder to attack you. They also served as a form of camouflage when hunting by breaking up the wearer’s outline and allowing them to blend in with their background.
Jackets aren’t the only clothing items you can find fringes on. From tops to pants to even bags and shoes, there’s no limit to what can be embellished with fringes.
That said here are 10 fringe jackets that you can rock in 2022 and that’ll give your outfit the ultimate facelift.
10. The staple brown fringe jackets
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This is basically the image that pops into your head when you think fringe jacket. The design isn’t far off from the original Western design. The tan color makes it extremely easy to match with blue, white, and black shades. Throw on a riding boot, and a hat for the whole cowboy get.
9. The classic black fringe jackets
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A black fringe jacket is perfect for those who are new to the trend. Consider it the training wheels for fringe jackets. It has the coolness of a typical black jacket, but with the added flair of hanging tassels. You can soften your goth outfit by simply adding this jacket.
8. The white statement piece
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Yes, I’m getting all the neutrals out of the way first. A white fringe jacket is an excellent choice for those with a minimalist approach to fashion. Let the fringe jacket be the proverbial flame of your outfit and people’s eyes the moth. Style it with darker or neutral colors for a great contrast.
7. The cutesy fringe jacket
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Fringe jackets can also be girlie and uber-cute. All you have to do is find the right color, like this pink one. You can pair it with a mini skirt and knee-high boots and shimmy your way into cuteness overload.
6. The snakeskin variant
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Cloth makers are making sure fringe jackets are super fashionable and come in various materials too. If you love having fun styling your clothes, you’ll have loads styling this fringe jacket.
5. Rhinestone fringe denim jacket
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Having rhinestones as tassels instead of denim adds sparkle and shine to this fringe jacket. This jacket is an excellent choice if you want to make a statement while still being comfortable and down-to-earth. Style this jacket with bootcut leggings and a bucket hat for an updated vintage ensemble.
4. Dark wash fringe jackets
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Denim jackets are great for when there’s a chill in the air, but you aren’t in the mood for a coat. The added fringe detailing of this jacket gives it a fantastic upgrade from classic to trendy. You can wear this jacket with a sweater dress and platform Uggs for an exciting night out with friends.
3. The denim fringe jackets
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Denim jackets are a solid choice of jackets for functionality or fashion. That said, you really can’t go wrong choosing a denim fringe jacket. This jacket can be styled with a tennis skirt and riding boots to achieve that Western look. The glitz of the tassels simply adds to its allure.
2. Vintage fringe leather jackets
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Your punk outfit could do with a bit of touch-up from this vintage fringe leather jacket. Leather jackets already give off expensive vibes. A vintage fringe leather jacket simply multiplies that vibe. It’s trendy, it’s fashionable, it’s badass, really, what more could you want?
1. Knitted fringe jackets
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Since knitwears are still in vogue, owning a knitted fringe jacket makes you double trendy. Are you heading out to the beach? Pop on this jacket over your knitted swimwear and a pair of wedge sandals for a relaxed and stylish look.
Conclusion
Fringe jackets make a great addition to your outfit. They have the power to take your outfit from drab to fab in a matter of seconds. Is there any jacket on the list you can’t wait to get your hands on? Do you own a fringe jacket? How often do you wear it out? Let me know in the comments section.
About Me
Fashion & Beauty Enthusiast
Hi, I'm Fanti. I'm a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle enthusiast, and the ultimate curves queen. Here, I share beauty, fashion, and lifestyle tips to teach, inspire, and give confidence to all women.