Could this fall fashion trend make you happier? It’s worth a shot

Whether in the form of long, hanging strands that wave and dance, or short textural shapes that give sleeves and hems, fringes have emerged as a prominent trend. It’s adding a playful touch not only to cocktail dresses and evening gowns, but also to sweaters, versatile fall coats, and even handbags and brogues. For his debut as creative director at Bottega Veneta last February, Matthieu Blazy sent models down the runway in mid-length, swaying skirts from which billowing layers of straw-like fringe swept down. Combining flair and intelligence, skirts delivered sensory impact – visual and auditory.

Designer Hillary Taymour’s fall collection for Collina Strada unveiled more skirts – including a clutch made from cut-up strips of second-hand T-shirts – to highlight the philosophy of recycling in “a beautiful and fun way”, she said. Another fan of the fringe, London-based designer Sharon Wauchob, has recently arranged for a single row of silk jackets to peek out from under one sleeve of a sharply tailored blazer.

“For me, the skirt is always a nod to past eras that represent fun or wonderful freedom,” said Elizabeth von der Goltz, chief merchandising officer at luxury online retailer Matchesfashion. These connotations run deep: If you wear a fringe, some people assume you’re secretly dying to dance in a state of hedonistic abandon and let the genie out of the bottle. But today’s modern renditions have left the jazz age and its fringed beats entirely in the past.

Ms. Von der Goltz admitted that some of the more popular parts of the shopping platform are fascinating. Get Taller Marmo label caftan dresses. Or a cream, crinkled crepe dress from Jil Sander beneath which cascade V-shaped layers of feathered fringe. But she also mentioned casual purchases like Saint Laurent’s fringed crossbody bag.

Libby Callaway, 52, owns her own communications agency in Nashville, Tenn., and enthusiastically embraces fringes in various forms. She recently bought a La DoubleJ printed silk dress, the sleeves of which sprout strokes of orange feathers. She wants to wear it with black stiletto heels. Her favorite take on the trend, she said, is a lavender blouse and skirt set by Rachel Comey, layered with matching fringe. “I’m an expressive dresser. The fact that I can wear this [outfit]and it has this look — I love that,” she said, adding that during the colder months, she often wears the skirt separately with tall boots and a black turtleneck sweater.

A warning to introverts: Fringe attracts attention. “Fringe” plus “furtive” does not count. “Forgiving flies and bounces when your body moves, adding a beautiful sense of weightlessness to every movement,” explained Emma Chadwick, a New York City-based movement director who often collaborates with fashion brands like Proenza Schouler and Khaite in their runway shows. . “The fringed pieces add an echo to any movement the wearer chooses,” she said.

For Khaite’s fall presentation, which featured fully fringed dresses in black and white, Ms. Chadwick instructed the models to walk briskly to give the clothes a stunningly blurred effect. But life presents more obstacles than a catwalk, so when you’re heading to work or a dinner out, be careful that your strands don’t get tangled or, worse, get stuck in car, elevator or subway doors.

If you’re afraid that a full head-to-toe bang might invite comparisons to a Puli puppy, consider sticking to a single, fringed item. Australian brand Zimmermann’s fringed cape offers an animated, tiered alternative to a basic jacket. “It’s a little playful, but still sophisticated,” noted designer Nicky Zimmermann. She collects fringed scarves – another easy, low-commitment option for beginners.

Part of the appeal of the skirt is that it’s low effort and high impact. That’s been the experience of Ms. Callaway of Nashville, who said she enjoys dressing for others as much as herself. “She delights and gives.”

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