When it comes to creating the perfect garment, every detail counts. One of the
most often-overlooked elements that play a significant role in fashion design are
garment trims.
These small yet essential components can elevate the look of a garment and are
widely used in the fashion industry, adding functionality, and convey a unique
individual signature to the garment.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the world of trims used in
garments, exploring different types, their uses, and why paying attention to
them is crucial in the fashion and textile industry.
Why Garment Trims Matter and the need to know the
different types of trims.
Garment trims are the unsung heroes of the fashion world. They are the
threads, lace, buttons, press studs, labels and various other decorative or
functional elements that enhance an item of clothing. While they might seem
insignificant compared to the fabric or overall design, here's why they matter:
1. Aesthetic Appeal: Trims, such as buttons, hang tags and decorative press
studs, can add beauty and flair to a garment, making it visually appealing.
2. Functionality: Trims aren't just about looks. They can serve practical
purposes, like fastening, reinforcing, or providing structure to a garment.
3. Personalization: Trims offer designers a way to express their unique style
and creativity, allowing for customization and personalization of clothing.
Now, let's explore the fascinating world of garment trims in more detail.
The Different kinds of trimmings in Garments
1. Threads: The Backbone of Sewing
Threads are often considered the unsung heroes in the world of garment
making. They serve as the literal backbone, holding a garment together. Threads
are typically made from various materials, and the choice of thread can greatly
impact the durability and versatility of the final product.
● Materials: Threads can be crafted from a range of materials, including
cotton, polyester, silk, and nylon. Among these, polyester threads are a popular
choice due to their exceptional durability and versatility. They are known for
their resistance to wear, tear, and fading, making them suitable for a wide
range of garments.
● Strength and Durability: The strength of the thread must align with the
fabric it's use. For heavy fabrics like denim, a thicker and stronger thread is
necessary while delicate fabrics may require a finer, lightweight thread.
● Matching Colours: Choosing the right thread colour is essential for a seamless
finish.
A well-matched thread colour blends seamlessly with the fabric, ensuring that
stitches are barely visible.
2. Lace Trims: Adding Delicate Elegance
Lace trims are a popular choice for those seeking to infuse a touch of delicacy
and elegance into their garments. These delicate and decorative trims are often
used for embellishing various parts of clothing, including hems, sleeves, and
necklines.
● Versatility: Lace comes in various patterns and designs, from intricate floral
motifs to geometric shapes. This versatility allows designers to choose lace
trims that perfectly complement their garment's overall aesthetic.
● Texture and Dimension: Lace trims add texture and dimension to a garment,
creating a visual interest that can make even the simplest design stand out.
● Drape and Flow: Lace trims are known for their ability to drape and flow
gracefully making them an excellent choice for creating feminine and romantic
looks.
3. Weave: Creating Unique Textures
The weave of a fabric is a fundamental aspect of textile design and can be
considered a type of trim. Different weave patterns can create unique textures
and visual interest in a garment.
● Texture Variations: Weave patterns, such as plain weave, twill weave, and
satin weave, can impart various textures to a fabric. For instance, a twill weave
results in a diagonal pattern, adding depth and interest to the fabric's surface.
● Visual Appeal: Weave patterns can significantly impact the visual appeal of a
garment. Intricate weaves can create a luxurious and sophisticated look, while
simple weaves offer a clean and minimalist aesthetic.
● Functional Weaves: Beyond aesthetics, some weave patterns serve functional
purposes. For example, ripstop weaves are used in outdoor clothing to prevent
tears from spreading.
4. Fabric Trim: Enhancing Appearance
Fabric trims are strips of fabric used for decorative purposes. They can be
sewn onto a garment to enhance its appearance and add a unique touch.
● Customization: Fabric trims offer endless customization possibilities.
Designers can choose fabrics that match or contrast with the main garment to
achieve specific looks.
● Embellishments: Fabric trims can be adorned with embellishments like sequins,
beads, or embroidery, elevating the overall design of the garment.
● Edging and Piping: Fabric trims can be used for edging and piping, providing
clean and polished finishes to seams, collars, cuffs, and pockets.
5. Buttons: Functional and Aesthetic
Buttons are a well-known type of trim used for fastening clothing. They come in
various sizes, styles, and materials, offering both functionality and aesthetics.
● Functionality: Buttons serve the practical purpose of fastening garments,
whether it's a jean, shirt, jacket, or dress. They come in various closure styles,
including shank buttons, flat buttons, and swivel buttons, each suitable for
different types of clothing.
● Aesthetics: Buttons are not just utilitarian; they can also be decorative
elements. Intricately designed or unique buttons can become focal points of a
garment, adding character and style.
● Materials: Buttons are crafted from a wide array of materials, such as
polyester, corozo, metal, coconut, shell and even natural materials like animal
horn. The choice of material can influence the overall look and feel of the
garment.
Incorporating these different trims and understanding their characteristics
allows fashion designers to create garments that are not only functional but also
aesthetically pleasing, offering endless possibilities for creativity and
personalization.
Understanding the Different Types of Trims and Accessories
In the world of garment making, trims and accessories encompass a vast array
of elements beyond the specific types mentioned earlier. These essential
components can make or break the overall look and functionality of a garment.
Here's a closer look at some of these:
● Labels: Labels serve multiple purposes, from branding and providing care
instructions to indicating the size and origin of the garment. They are an
integral part of a finished product and are often placed discreetly within the
garment.
● Zippers: Zippers are essential for garments that require openings, such as
pants, skirts, and jackets. They come in various lengths, materials, and styles,
including invisible zippers for a seamless look and metal zippers for a rugged
appearance.
● Ribbons: Ribbons are versatile trims used for various decorative purposes.
They can be employed as bows, sashes, or waistbands, adding a pop of colour and
texture to the garment.
● Care Labels: Care labels provide valuable information on how to maintain and
launder the garment. These labels ensure that the wearer knows how to take
proper care of their clothing, extending its lifespan.
Exploring Trims Used in Different Garments
Different types of garments demand specific trims to meet their functional and
aesthetic requirements. Understanding which trims work best for each garment
is crucial for achieving the desired look and functionality. Here are a few
examples:
● Tapes: Jackets and outerwear often incorporate tapes as trims to reinforce
seams,
providing durability and structure to the garment.
● Shoulder Pads: Inner linings in clothing products, such as blazers and formal
dresses, frequently require shoulder pads. These pads add structure and shape
to the shoulders, enhancing the overall silhouette.
● Braided Cords: Braided cords can be used in various garments, from
drawstrings on hoodies to waist ties on dresses. They offer both functionality
and a decorative touch.
The Fashion Industry and Garment Trims
In the fast-paced and creative world of fashion, garment trims are
indispensable tools for bringing designer visions to life. Designers carefully
select and position trims to complement the shape, size, and overall aesthetic of
their creations. Trims are not merely functional but
are also integral to the artistry of fashion design.
Trims for Decorative Purposes
While trims undoubtedly serve practical functions, they are not limited to
utilitarian purposes alone. In fact, trims often take centre stage as decorative
elements, elevating the visual appeal of garments. From intricately embroidered
threads to beaded embellishments, trims have the power to add a touch of
glamour, sophistication, or whimsy to any piece of clothing.
Fastening Clothing Parts Together
Buttons, hook & loop, hook & bars, are simple yet effective tools for fastening
clothing parts together.
They provide a secure and convenient method for wearing and removing
garments. Buttons in particular, come in various shapes, sizes, and materials,
allowing for creative and functional choices in garment design.
The Role of Threads in Sewing
Threads are the unsung heroes of sewing rooms. While their primary role is
stitching fabric pieces together, they also play a significant role in adding
decorative elements and attaching trims. Threads come in various colours and
types, offering designers and seamstresses a
wide range of options to create intricate and eye-catching designs.
The Best Trims for Your Garments
Selecting the right trims for your garments is a crucial decision that can
greatly impact the final appearance and functionality of the clothing. When
making this choice, consider factors such as the type of fabric, the desired
style, and the garment's intended purpose. Whether you're aiming for a classic,
minimalist look or a bold and ornate design, the right trims can
help you achieve your vision and create garments that stand out.
In Conclusion
Garment trims may be small in size, but they add immense influence in the world
of fashion and clothing design. Whether for decorative purposes, functionality,
or personalization, trims are a crucial element in creating garments that create
their own individual identity. So, next time you admire a beautifully crafted
piece of clothing, remember that it's not just the fabric and design that
makes it special—it's the carefully chosen trims that completes the picture.
By Glen Isserow
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