History of Fashion Accessories

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Fashion Accessories
NECKLACE
HISTORY BRACELET HATS
/ CHAINS
History of Fashion Accessories
 Accessories complete the perfect look. Sometimes, even when
the whole outfit is flawless, a statement accessory can transform
it to make it more glamorous. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets,
belts, neckties, and headwear add finishing touches to many
outfits. Some of the types of these accessories are classic and
timeless like the pearl earrings and leather belts, but some were
trendy and could be out of fashion after a while. As fashion
changes throughout the years and decades, accessories evolve
as well.
Since the beginning of civilization, people
have been wearing accessories. The history of
fashion accessories is a lengthy and broad
subject, so we will break it down per
accessory type.
NECKLACE
 Necklaces are adopted by early civilizations around the world.
These are believed to be as old as 40,000 years. The oldest forms of
the necklace are made from shells, teeth or bone beads, bird
feathers, carved wood, seeds, stones and other artful natural
elements found in the environment.
 Meanwhile, the torc, a large, rigid neckpiece made of twisted

metal, was found in the Celtic, Scythian and other cultures of the
European Iron Age during 800 BC to 300 AD. These neckpieces
were made of gold, copper, and other metals.
 The ancient Egyptians’ necklaces were more complicated. From simple
stringed bead necklaces, it evolved into a broad collar and pectoral types both
women and men wore, especially the royalty and the wealthy.
 Jewelry with gemstones was first used by the Romans during the first
century. Later on, it became a trend for women to wear many necklaces at
once until it’s use waned. In the late 14th century, necklaces regained
popularity.
 During the Middle Ages, necklaces replaced brooches as the primary

form of jewelry. Gold chain necklaces with pendants and necklace sets with
gemstone were in style. Their neck accessory usually indicates their social
status and level of wealth.
 Locket necklaces were widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries
after photography was developed. It was mostly given as a betrothal gift.
Matched sets of jewelry also became popular during this era. These sets
usually included at least a matching earring or brooch, but it could also
include bracelets, tiara or buckles.
 Men and women both used to wear necklaces until the 18th century
when this accessory became primarily feminine. This is why men used to call
their necklace as chains today. American pop culture re-popularized the use
of necklaces for men with the 1960s hippie “love beads” and the 1970s disco
dance craze. Some included gold chains with charms like a gold cross or gold
Italian horn, and some used amulets, charms and beads. Black and African-
American hip-hop artists of the 20th century had platinum and gold chains
with diamond-encrusted pendants as their fashion statement, which is
popularly known as “bling-bling
BRACELETS
 After the ornaments for the neck, another oldest form of jewelry is the
bracelet for wrist, arm or ankle. Archaeologists were able to date back the
earliest bracelet to 7,500 BC found in Turkey. It was made of obsidian.
Primitive humans were thought to have formed ancient bangles from
stones, wood, and shells, then later on, from copper and bronze. The
ancient Chinese wore bracelets on wrist made from wood, jade, and gold.
 During Biblical times, bracelets were worn by both men and women,
according to Hebrew Scripture. Some of the oldest-known bracelets were
made of gold and bronze. The gold bracelets were often unadorned, while
the bronze bracelets were decorated with designs.
 These arm trinkets were not only used as an adornment. In Celtic period
Britain, men wore serpent-shaped bracelets and protective armlets to protect
themselves from sword attacks. The Ancient Greeks soldiers wore metal cuffs
on their upper and lower arms. When the Roman army saw this, they mimicked
it and made their own arm accessories.
 Plastic became a material for bracelets during the 20th century. For teenagers
and children, plastic adornments became a fashion choice. Embroidery floss or
thread was used to create armbands, especially for friendship bracelets, which
became popular in the 1980s. Jewelry makers also started creating charm
bracelets made of gold-plated brass and sterling silver. This trend continues up
to the present.
BELTS
 Since the Bronze Age, belts were worn by ancient
people. In ancient Rome, Greece, and Crete, people used
it in the form of sash or girdle. Belts were common for
both genders in the Western world, but it was more
common for men.
 In the latter part of the 19th century until World War I,

the belt was used as a decorative and utilitarian part of
the military uniform.
 During the 20th century, men started wearing leather belts
with the purpose of preventing the pants from falling.
Women’s belts, on the other hand, were often made of the
same fabric as their matching dress or coat. Belts of
plastic or metal links have also been worn as a trendy
fashion accessory.
HATS
 The earliest known hat was worn by a Bronze Age man named Otzi, a
mummified body frozen in a mountain where it was found to be there
since around 3,300 BC. This headwear was a bearskin cap that looks like
a Russian fur hat without flaps.
 Ancient, upper-class Egyptians cover their heads with headdress to keep

them cool. In Mesopotamia, people wore conical hats or those that
resemble an inverted vase.
 During the Middle Ages, hats denoted social status. In the late 16th
century, women had structured hats like those of male courtiers.
 A wide range of hats were designed during the 19th century. Women often
wore bonnets, but eventually, it became larger, decorated with flowers, ribbon,
feathers, and gauze trimmings. By the years pass by, more exotic and
outrageous designs were made with women’s headwear.
 In Britain, the tradition of wearing hats to horse racing events began at the
Royal Ascot’s Royal Enclosure. The British Royalty are known for their hat-
wearing traditions. Weddings in Britain also required all visitors to wear hats.
This headpiece was at the height of fashion relevance during the Regency era.
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 Meanwhile, the torc, a large, rigid neckpiece made of twisted

 During the Middle Ages, necklaces replaced brooches as the primary

 In the latter part of the 19th century until World War I,

 Ancient, upper-class Egyptians cover their heads with headdress to keep

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