Fashion loves a comeback story. Low-rise jeans had one. So did the claw clip. Fringe keeps getting the comeback headline too, and every time we read it we laugh a little, because fringe has been hanging around for a few thousand years. It just changes outfits.
Let’s take a quick walk through its resume.
FRINGE STARTED OUT ANCIENT
Some of the earliest fringe shows up in ancient Mesopotamia, where robes were finished with fringed edges. Back then the fringe on your hem said something about who you were and how important you were. So yes, fringe has been a status symbol since before anyone invented the word “trend.”
THEN IT GOT PRACTICAL
In North America, fringe became a fixture on buckskin clothing. It helped rain run off a jacket and let leather dry faster, which is a pretty great resume line for a design detail. That look later rode straight into Western wear, and the cowboy jacket has never been the same.
THE 1920'S MADE IT DANCE
Flappers took fringe to the dance floor. Their dresses had fringe that flew out every time they moved, and the Charleston was basically made for it. This is the moment fringe became about movement, and we’d argue that’s when it found its true calling.
THE 1970s MADE IT A LIFESTYLE
Suede vests, fringed jackets, bags that swung with every step through a music festival. Fringe became shorthand for a whole free-spirited mood. When boho came back around in the 2010s, fringe came right back with it.
AND NOW IT'S ON THE FALL 2026 RUNWAYS
Designers have kept fringe on the runway since fall 2024, and fall 2026 gave it a more polished look. You’ll see it trimming tailoring and knits now, along with the eveningwear you’d expect. It’s moved past its boho reputation into something sleeker. Which brings us to clear bags.
WHY FRINGE WORKS ON A CLEAR HANDBAG
A clear bag is about as modern as an accessory gets. It’s there because stadiums and concert venues asked for it. Fringe is about as old as an accessory detail gets. Put them together and you get a bag that clears the security check and still looks like part of the fashion conversation.
Our clear fringe bags come in taupe and black, two neutrals that go with every season and every jersey. Pick the crossbody when you want your hands free, or the tote when you’re bringing a blanket and everyone else’s stuff.
The fringe does what fringe has always done. It moves when you move. A flapper in 1925 would get it.
HOW TO WEAR A CLEAR FRINGE BAG THIS FALL
Take a cue from fringe history. Pair your taupe clear fringe bag with a suede jacket and boots for a Western nod. Go 1970s with a knit sweater and flared jeans. For a 2026 runway take, wear the black clear fringe crossbody with sharp tailoring and let it soften the whole look.
Heading to a game? Check your venue’s clear bag policy before you go. Many NFL and college venues cap clear bags at 12" x 6" x 12".
CLEAR FRINGE HANDBAG FAQ
Is fringe in style for fall 2026?
Yes. Fringe has shown up on runways every season since fall 2024, and fall 2026 collections brought it back with a cleaner, more polished feel.
Are clear handbags still in style?
Yes. Clear bag policies keep spreading to stadiums and arenas, and clear bags have kept their spot as a fashion piece too. A clear bag with fringe gives you both.
What colors do Margo Paige clear fringe bags come in?
Taupe and black, in crossbody and tote sizes.
[Shop the clear fringe collection →]
Next time on The Fringe Effect: Is a Fringe Clear Bag Stadium Approved? The 12x6x12 Rule, Explained.
Image credit: Pinterest