Fringe Forward: A Style Guide
what’s fresh in fringe rn
Shimmy, shimmy, ya, shimmy, yam, shimmy, yay. I'm not apologizing for that intro—fringe demands it. Shake it like a Polaroid picture! Ok, I’ll stop, but you see where this is going, yes?
Fringe season is here (I don’t care if that’s not a thing). It’s not just because Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks delivered fringe fantasies left and right, but because fringe is that rare fashion detail that’s always around but never misses when it comes to the way it moves, transforms, and commands attention.
The standouts from the shows had folks talking:
Haider Ackermann's first collection for Tom Ford delivered some fire fringe.
Stella McCartney's ever-sustainable take proved eco can absolutely equal drama. She sent a memerizing bodysuit down the runway and I swear I’ve watched this slow-mo video too many times.
Rick Owens went full fringe apocalypse (in the best possible way), as expected.
There was a tassel party at Dries Van Noten. This layered interpretation gave us a lesson in texture and the fringe was one of many players in a textured ensemble.
Structured or shapeless, beaded, macramé, sleek, boho, glam—fringe has many moods. It’s as Western as it is red carpet, as free-spirited as it is luxe. The movement? Always magical.
Fringe Spotted on the Streets
Off the runway, Gabrielle Union was exciting to witness in a white Proenza Schouler fringed skirt in NYC that was equal parts whimsy and edge. I’d only add an ear cuff!
What’s Fresh in Fringe Right Now
Extra-loooooong statement pieces. They basically sweep the floor. Commit.
Unexpected fringe locations: Headpieces, neck pieces, gloves, headbands and eyewear.
Mixed materials: Imagine beaded fringe with both leather or metallic elements for texture contrast. Kith’s fringe on a bomber jacket is perfectly diabolical (see below). I imagine costume designers plotting on a movie character to put that on.
Why You Can’t Have Too Much Fringe
I never thought I'd be a "fringe person" until I looked in my closet and realized I already am one. You might be too. Here's why fringe works so often:
It shapeshifts. From boho to boardroom-adjacent with zero effort.
It’s a mood booster. Based on personal anecdotal evidence, you get a dopamine hit every time those tassels swang.
It moves. Nothing photographs better than fringe in motion.
It carries a serious legacy. Fringe connects you to style royalty, like Tina Turner and Cher, the original fringe revolutionaries who made those swinging strands iconic decades before "influencer" was even in our vocabulary.
How to Wear It Now:
New to fringe? Start with accessories.
Belt it: A fringe belt that hugs a structured blazer hits two marks with one arrow. Great for fringe sophmores.
For work. A subtle fringe trim on a blazer, coat or structured blouse with relaxed slacks emotes easygoing and polish.
For special occasions. Go with feather fringe. The weightlessness fits the magic of wedding season. But even if feathers isn’t your thing, a fringed dress of any kind creates built-in entertainment. Fringe makes you the party.
Focus on the bottoms. Let the pants or a maxi skirt be the main character. Wear it with a t-shirt with padded shoulders.
Style it up or down. Showstopper or subtle texture, your call.
Try bright colors. Again, commit. Have a blast.
Dressed all the way down. Fringe sweatshirts, sweat pants, hoodies or Teva-like shoes.
Men's fringe tip: You don’t need Lenny Kravitz-level boho confidence or Colman Domingo’s effortless command of patterns and textures to do this. A brown suede jacket with subtle fringe is a great entry point, sure—but seriously, don’t stop there. Play with layers, colors, and materials to make it your own. Choose a warm weather shoe (see my shopping edit below) or a fringe belt when going out if this is a style foray for you.
If you need convincing, fringe isn't just for Coachella regulars or Texas Hold 'em enthusiasts. It's for anyone who understands that sometimes, your outfit needs to move as much as you do, like Lizzo at Glastonbury a couple of years ago. And I don’t have to tell the Swifties how much Taylor has been known to shake it off in a Tina-inspried mini or two or more on stage.
Not only weddings and festivals, with spring’s grand entrance — outdoor parties, spring break and travel—fringe is actually a low maintenance way to add drama, fun, and a little chaos to your fit.
Brands like Isabel Marant, Chloe, Ba&sh, Free People, Farm Rio and Ulla Johnson are great hunting grounds for fringe, but I recommend starting at a good ole vintage shop. During my RV road trip across the country last summer, fringe was the consistent theme in all the vintage shops I visited from Nashville to Denver (see a few of my finds in my video below).
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African and Indian designer brands are another stylist secret.
Fringe isn’t just a detail—it’s the moment. This edit spans from understated accents to full-blown showstoppers, proving that movement is THEE finishing touch.
Next-level
Dreamy
Treat yo self
High style without the high price
3 things I’m loving
Fashion critic and Editor at Large, Robin Givhan just released a new book about Virgil Abloh called, “Make It Ours,” and it covers his career journey, menswear, luxury, race and taste.
For International Women’s Day, Elle UK highlighted an often-overlooked fashion week moment—the outfit female designers choose when they take their post-show bow. More than just a look, it’s a statement about their identity, their work, and how they shape their brand.
Someone was digging in the crates with this vintage footage of Ralph Lauren and the native NYer in me loves to see it.
Collab I’m loving
Designer Bibhu Mohapatra is taking his vision beyond fashion with a collab with the Berlin-based sunglasses label ic! and it’s making me wish summer would get here already.