When I was 10 years old my very fashionable older sister bought herself a pair of black suede knee-high boots with a beautiful row of fringe down the back with her first paycheck. The fringe swayed with every step, accentuating the power and strength in her footsteps. I remember thinking that no one had a cooler or more fashionable sister than me.
A few months later she bought herself a gorgeous matching jacket of the softest same material. One day we were crammed into the tiny back seat of our parents’ Chevy hatchback while we looked for the perfect winter formal dress for her. I wasn’t feeling good because the heater was broken, but she had let me lean on her (which was a rare treat), and the feel and smell of that jacket has stayed with me to this day.
Fringe is one of those amazing things that softens our edges and can make a serious piece a little more playful. It first entered our fashion consciousness when Europeans met Native Americans, who used fringe to diffuse sound and add a little visual interest to their garments.
Flash forward to the 1920s and you can’t think of the era without imagining a flapper in a fringed dress doing the Charleston. From Elvis to Hell’s Angels, fringe has played a vital role in the way we’ve dress for decades.
Personally, I love the way that fringe camouflages some of the troubled areas for a curvy girl, creating a veil or a draw-away effect. I also love how a great fringed boot or shoe flares with each stomp, reminding us of the power in the span of our hips, the stride of our steps, and the curl of our lips — all of which are, of course, fringe benefits.
Fringe on Top
Masculine details are balanced out with deep, rich colors and a truly feminine feel, putting these shirts at the top of the class for me.
Top It Off
Fringed details can be either light and breezy or more solid to keep you warm. Just remember to balance these off with a sleek base layer and great pants or skirts.
Stomp
Some days just a little fringe is all you need to feel influential and to remind yourself of the power in your step.
Round It Out
Oftentimes it’s easier to experiment with your accessories. Feel the power of fringe in this Mighty Purse (it will charge your phone for you all day!), or go a little subtler in this great choker.
If you’re feeling fierce in any of the looks you’ve seen here, tag us in your selfies or pics with #zapposWRW — we’d love to see your style!
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