Fringe is everywhere this season. It has appeared on runways, on handbags, on scarves, and along the hems of skirts and dresses. If your first reaction is "not for me", I would like to suggest another way to think about it.
A trend is something to borrow, not something to wear head to toe
I have worked in fashion long enough to see trends arrive, peak and fade. What stays is the way we wear them. The women who look best are not those wearing everything on the rack. They are the ones who take one idea, make it theirs, and let the rest of the outfit stay quiet.
Why fringe works in small doses
Fringe is movement. A little of it softens a hard line and catches the light. Too much becomes costume. So the goal is a hint: one scarf, one bag, one detail.
Five ways to bring it in
1. A fringed scarf or wrap. Worn with a plain knit, a white shirt or a simple dress. Choose a natural fibre with a good drape, in a colour from your palette.
2. A bag with modest fringing. Leather or suede, with a few strands rather than a curtain. Make sure the shade sits with your shoes.
3. A tassel on a bag you already own. A small leather tassel on a zip pull is the quietest way in and can be moved about more easily.
4. A fringed edge on a piece you love. A plain scarf, shawl or even the hem of a linen skirt can be finished with a good fringe trim at the hem or in the side seam? Practise on something inexpensive first, and ask a seamstress if you are unsure.
5. A single fringed accessory worn well. An earring, a belt or a clutch. Pair it with clean lines and let it be the only detail.
What to look for in the shops
Look for natural fibres and good finishing: leather or suede that is soft and evenly cut, silk or wool with a neat edge, trim that is sewn in securely. Check that the fringe lies well rather than twisting, and that the colour works with at least three things you already own.
Three questions before you buy
1. Where will it sit? Near the face it must flatter your colouring. Away from the face you have more freedom.
2. How much is it? One fringed piece is a detail. More than one starts to compete and becomes distracting.
3. Does it work with what I already have? If it needs a whole new outfit, it is not worth it.
Letting a trend add to your style
Style is the thing you keep. It is built on your colours, your proportions and the way you like to feel when you
get dressed. A trend can add a little life to that, as long as it is chosen, not chased.
If you would like help finding the colours and shapes that are truly yours, I would love to meet you. You can book here