Different Types of Embellishments for Clothing
Shafiun Nahar Elma
Industrial & Production Engineer
National Institute of Textile Engineering & Research (NITER), Bangladesh.
Email: [email protected]
Creative ideas on garments is not just mere ornamentation; they have been part of fashion since the dawn of civilization and the change is not only in design but also in function. Beginning with ancient cutwork and running through the fashionable decorations of the 20thcentury in the form of stones, sequins, and other mechanical techniques, ornaments are an example of an art object and a vehicle for expressing cultural values. The survival into this century has seen the basics of fashion accessories, which has seen the embellishments for clothing becoming an important feature of the garment.
These accessories have been traced right from back as a long time ago as the ancient civilization. Historically, the first forms of embellishments for clothing were beads, shells, or feathers that were stitched to the clothes to prove the richness, strength, and authority of the owner. With fashion advancing to the 19th and 20th centuries embellishments symbolized a variety of social changes. Decoration quickly appealed to the higher ranks of the fashion industry, principally because of designers in the early 1900s such as Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, who used it specifically to add glamour to their designs while creating the impressions of class and luxury.
Let’s Talk about Some Embellishments Techniques for Clothing:
1. Embroidery
Embroidery can be described as one of the most established and advanced forms of decoration that employs the art of sewing to decorate fabric with images, figures, patterns, and motifs. Originally embroidery was a manual craft, and only professionals were engaged in embroidery and create embellishments for clothing , and they had different techniques and motives among themselves and between different nations.
Example: High-end fashion brands including Gucci and Chanel have for years embraced embroidery, adapting both classical and contemporary designs to come up with fashionable accessories.
2. Sequins and Beads
Sparkles and beads are reflective surfaces that can be used in garments and accessories; it has been widely used over the years for any occasion but mostly for parties. These glittering accents were fashionable in the the 1920s during Art Deco Period with flapper dresses and glamour evening gowns imitated the facetted glamorous sequins and beads which are simple but creative elements to embellishments for clothing.
Example: Despite the recent trend of adding elaborate sequin details onto dresses and tops ahead of black tie events and formal occasions, fast fashion players such as Zara and H&M have not addressed this opportunity.
3. Rhinestones and Gems
Swarovski crystals were cheaper copies of real stones, since the early 20th century, and they gave the ability to dress up an outfit and make it look luxurious without having to spend a lot of money on gemstones. With great FOR use, their usage was immediately popularised for stage costumes, evening wear, and accessories.
Example: Luxury brands like Balmain and Versace as well as many other brands have embraced the use of rhinestones and crystals in their clothing lines.
4. Patches and Appliqués
Perhaps the most widely employed decorative element up to the second half of the 20th century is patches and appliqués, which are used for the individualization of garments. Originating from military wear and worker outfits, it was not until the end of the 20th century that a casual patch could be embellishments for clothing also on denim jackets and jeans.
Example: Accession, Levi’s, and Nike have incorporated the patch trend in the manufacturing of jeans and wear such that consumers can decide to make certain touches unto the wears that they buy.
5. Feathers and Fur
The images of Feathers and fur are cultural symbols of Luxury, opulence, and grandeur. These have been employed from the Age of Enlightenment up to the present time to produce imitation garments for royalties, nobilities, and elites. During the Roaring Twenties, appropriate dresses for flappers included those with embellishments such as feathers.
Example: Today even famous designers like Fendi and Chanel try to use feathers and fur within their clothing lines to create stunning and provocative dress accessories.
6. Lace
Lace attributed to the wealthy woman and elegance was used since the 16th century. First, for religious garments and linking with the aristocracy class, and later for bridal wear and creates another level of gorgeous embellishments for clothing.
Example: Both Oscar de la Renta and Chanel constantly use lace in their collections, thanks to their ability to make clothes look tender and romantic.
7. Studs and Rivets
Studs and rivets, which reflected rebellious radical rocker look or punk styles, increased their presence in the clothing of the last decades of the twentieth century. These metal ornaments have over the years grown to become common accessories in fashion, making the clothes look rough.
Example: I believe that rock-n-roll looks of Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen defined the use of studs and rivets as perfectly as possible, as they try to emphasize the studs and rivets not just as decorative elements but as the symbols of strength and rebelliousness in Ramsey’s vision of the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ girls.
8. Ruffles and Frills
Ruffles and frills are believed to have been in use from the beginning of fashion and have been common features of fashion, especially European fashion for many years. They were most used in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in the dressing of the nobility and the rich.
Example: Ruffles and frills can be noted to be in Calais collection but both Dior and Valentino lovers saw them incorporate them in their haute couture collections to provide a feeling of flamboyance and quirkiness.
9. Buttons
Buttons do not only serve their purpose but boost the fashion value of clothes through design enhancement. Buttons unlock boundless design possibilities through their different shapes kinds materials and surface selections that run from polished brass to wood carving. Buttons can make basic clothes more eye-catching by creating beautiful designs you can touch.
Example: Leading fashion designers Alex McQueen and Stella McCartney feature large metal and sustainable button designs on their coats and blazer designs.
10. Crochet
You create beautifully textured designs with knitting needles by looping yarn together in crocheting. By making each piece by hand designers can add authentic charm and embellishments for clothing which they usually include in small details on cuffs and trimmings or as main design features.
Example: Zimmermann and Free People follow bohemian fashion by putting crochet lace hats and bags in their product lines.
Conclusion
The use of different embellishments for garments is as old a fashion as one could ever imagine, going back to thousands of years. The adornment has not only transformed itself throughout the ages but in its look as well as in its use. At present, as fashion trends are going towards sustainable and personalized approaches the future of embellishments for clothing industry is promising. It’s also a essential technique for circular fashion and upcycling. There is a trend towards using environmentally-friendly materials like biodegradable sparkles to replace sequins and re-cycled beads and consumers looking forward to customization of their clothes. Embellishments for clothing sector is going to be one of the most important aspects of individual and collective expression, artistic and creative apparel design along with extending sustainable fashion into the new age tomorrow.
References:
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[3] “threadsmagazine,” [Online]. Available: https://www.threadsmagazine.com/collection/19-inventive-embellishment-ideas
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Editor of Fashion2Apparel. She is a fashion designer and ex-lecturer in Fashion Designing. She wants to spread fashion knowledge throughout the world.
