The legendary Diana Vreeland was once quoted as saying, “I adore fringe,” and why wouldn’t she? Fringe is sassy, it’s fun, it adds movement to a piece. Who doesn’t do a little shake when they’re wearing something fringed, right? Well, many people have a love-hate relationship with fringe. When one hears the term, they conjure up visions of Western wear, or flapper dresses, with not much in between. However, fringe can add a bit of flair to an otherwise mundane article of clothing.

When the pandemic hit, I found myself shopping in my closet more than anywhere else. (Chalk one up for sustainability!) I started following upcyclers and began exploring ways to redo some of the items in my closet that were gathering dust. My sewing skills are rusty, to say the least, so simplicity was key.

I recalled Dolce & Gabbana had several pieces in their past lines that incorporated fringe to various extents. One piece that caught my eye and I just loved was their red floral silk draped dress with fringe. It was fun, it was sassy, but most importantly, it was modern and not overdone. This is the kind of fringe that I adore and I had the perfect piece to transform. It is also the type of accent we are seeing in fall fashion. If you don’t believe me, check out the September issue of In Style magazine. Jennifer Aniston rocks a fabulous pair of gold fringed Alberta Ferretti pants. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but absolutely fabulous, nonetheless.

Years ago, I had two pairs of wide-leg jeans from Banana Republic that fit well, but unfortunately, one was too long. I decided to take the scissors to it and crop it, well before flared crop jeans were a thing. In my overzealous state, however, I cut them too short, and they hit my leg at an awkward spot, so in the closet, they sat until now. They were the perfect candidate for my upcycling project.

Adding fringe to a hem is very simple and the perfect project for a beginner. Although I had some fringe in my sewing box, I wanted to add two rows to make it the length I needed (plus I think it looks better), so I ordered some online. Fringe is fairly inexpensive and easily sourced. It comes in a variety of different lengths, so you can add a longer or shorter version to whatever you’re creating. (I chose a 4 inch trim. ). You can also find it in a wide range of colors, so you can let your creativity soar.

The result was a wearable pair of pants that you can dress up or down. They can be worn with a blazer and flats (shown here) to run to a meeting, for errands, etc., or can be paired with a silk or velvet top and a pair of embellished mules or heels for a more formal evening out or event. The possibilities are endless.