After you’ve spent a while writing for an audience online, you learn to spot trouble when it’s on its way. A lot of trends lately have felt like that, from logo bags to fanny packs—it’s almost felt like designers were looking to rile people up. After all, that’s a tried-and-true way to get people to talk about you online, and that’s something luxury brands care about now.
The latest in this series of bag trends is fringe, which I wasn’t sure would make it to full-fledged trend status. It appears to be trending up for fall, though, so now it’s time we talk about it, and I suspect we’ll get some strong feelings either way.
Importantly (at least to me), the trend seems to mostly split into two categories: leather fringe and thin, glossy woven or thread fringe. I hate the former, love the latter—the leather I’ve seen is mostly integrated into the bags in kind of awkward ways, while the silky, long textile fringe feels vintage and glamorous, made to be petted casually after one too many glasses of champagne at a fancy party. With all the tassel-heavy statement earrings that have become popular in the past few years, it doesn’t surprise me to see this kind of fringe migrate to other accessories, but the leather is still a bit of a mystery to me personally. Either way, check out plenty bags of both types below.
Balenciaga Fringed Tote
$2,250 via Net-a-Porter
Balmain Fringe Top Handle Bag
$3,595 via Nordstrom
Bottega Veneta Nodini Fringe Crossbody Bag
$1,850 via Nordstrom
Calvin Klein Fringe Leather Bucket Bag
$2,300 via Nordstrom
Christian Louboutin Eloise Fringe Hobo
$2,100 via Bergdorf Goodman
Cult Gaia Angelou Bag
$330 via Net-a-Porter
Fendi Micro Baguette Bag
$1,900 via Net-a-Porter
Hillier Bartley Lantern Fringe Bag
$1,160 via Net-a-Porter
Kara Fringe Lambskin Ring Clutch
$295 via Nordstrom
Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza Fringe Tote
$1,890 via Net-a-Porter
Prada Etiquette Fringe Bag
$2,200 via Neiman Marcus
Proenza Schouler Mini Hex Tote
$1,095 via Net-a-Porter
Sensi Studio Maxi Frayed Tote Bag
$297 via Shopbop
STAUD Lance Beaded Bag
$195 via Bergdorf Goodman
The Volon Box Tassel Bag
$1,045 via Net-a-Porter
Tory Burch Farrah Fringe Crossbody Bag
$278 via Neiman Marcus
No!
Anything with fringe looks outdated. Cher immediately comes to mind when I see anything fringe. Fendi must have been inspired by a very mean Shi-Tzu.
The Volon Box Tassle Bag and the Hillier Bartley Lantern Fringe Bag are awful — it’s like My Little Pony gone completely haywire.
I think a little fringe can be cute and tasteful but some of these bags are just completely impractical. They look more like art pieces or something for an Instagram pic but not for real life.
Not for me, I like tassel but fringe no. I don’t want to carry a bag that can sweep the floor 😀
CULT GAIA. YOU STOP IT RIGHT NOW. I swear to god the entire design aesthetic
of that brand is centered around how it will photograph for Instagram and it makes me cringe.
The rest of these are also a no. I like a little tassel detail, but the full fledged fringe is out for me. It’s just too trendy with no observable purpose. At least the fanny packs, ridiculous as they are, have an application beyond “I saw this on a kardashian”.
Balenciaga: Looks like the rubber fringe that hangs under a truck bed in order to block mud splatter. It also reminds me of those giant fringe roller things at the car wash.
Cult Gaia: Looks like an unfinished Home Economics Macramé project from the 70’s.
Fendi: Looks like the hipster/goth version of Cousin It from the Adams Family.
Hillier Bartley: This looks like a feather duster/mop thing that they use to swat away flies from the Taiwanese Night Markets.
Kara Fringe: Looks like a showgirl’s costume.
Loewe: Same as above.
STAUD Lance: Looks like a bad beading project from my middle school Home Economics project.
Tory Burch: Looks like Cousin It got a nose ring.
The rest…. Just NO!
what is there to disagree about?
How is it the next big thing AGAIN?! I just threw out my fringe bag from a couple of years ago (it wasn’t designer).
Always have loved fringes, will always love fringes!
Ugh- they all remind of cousin IT
I’m oddly fond of the Loewe bag, especially since the thin fringe with the logo actually looks amazing in motion. The only other one I like is the PS bag, because they manage to make the fringe look purposeful and edgy, rather than just an afterthought.
The Louboutin Eloise bag is the only one I’d wear without feeling like an idiot. It’s a basic hobo with some studs and fringed tassels. Fine to wear with jeans or any other casual outfit. I doubt I’d buy it but if someone gave it to me… The rest? Hard, fast pass.
The ones with long fringes are perfect for an altruistic person like me. I can carry the bag AND sweep the street at the same time!
Ok, some of these are stupid like tha Balenciaga and the Sensi Studio, but I find it really interesting how each brand interpreted the theme. No two bags alike.
I like the Balmain and the CK. That Kara bag is unusual though impractical.
Ok, some of these are stupid like tha Balenciaga and the Sensi Studio, but I find it really interesting how each brand interpreted the theme. No two bags alike.
I like the Balmain and the CK. That Kara bag is unusual though impractical.
The Sensi looks like it got hit by a lawn mower. The Cult on the other hand is more like a tassel from old curtains. Not for me, like almost all other creations featured. The cK aproach is very nice and stylish, wouldn’t mind carrying one myself. I’d love a good, old fashioned leather bag with suede fringe attached to the front, side to side. That’s the best way to do fringe IMO.