FANS:

MEMORIES:

Fringe, those long strips of material hanging off a larger piece of material, shows up in everything from bedspreads to draperies. But as a fashion statement, the hippie movement took fringe as a clothing accessory on leather items that became part of the counter-culture look.

 

The origins of hippie fringe were inspired by the leather clothing of Native Americans. Their culture included fringe in many of their traditional garments, and look gave the impression of a natural, back-to-the-land image. The cowboy may have picked up the look as well, but it was the hippies who used the traditional craftsmanship in much the same way as the Native Americans.

 

These long strips of leather or yarn decorated the sides of suede pants, and adorned dresses, vests, and jackets. Combined with other hippie ornamentation such as beads, denim flared pants, and turquoise, it became a common look in the hippie uniform.