List of Garment Accessories: Types, Features, Functions and Uses

Last Updated on 31/05/2021

List of Garment Accessories: Types, Features, Functions and Uses

Noor Ahmed Raaz
Faculty Member, Dept. of Textile Engineering,
Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology
Email: raju.uttara105@gmail.com

Garment Accessories:
Accessories have great importance to make a complete garment. A garment is made not only from the apparel fabric but also various accessory items. Fabric is the basic material in garment manufacturing. Except fabric of garment, the other materials are known as garment accessories. These have to be chosen in such a way that they complement the outer fabric both aesthetically, in terms of decoration, and practically, in terms of ensuring that the garment performs as expected in its intended end use.

Functions of Garments Accessories:
Accessories play a vital role in garment manufacturing. Accessories are used to serve different functions of a garment. Some of the functions are given below:

1. Garments accessories sometimes act as a decorative material.
2. Accessories can make a garment more suitable to wear.
3. Accessories are used to make the garments more flexible.
4. Accessories help to ensure the garments durability.
5. To fulfill customer demand different accessories are used.

Types of Garment Accessories:
Various kinds of accessories are used on garments, some are part of the garments such as buttons, zippers, interlining etc. while others are used for decorating and enhancing the product appearance such as sequins, embroidery etc.

Note: Maximum we are confused about trimmings and accessories. Which are trimmings and which are accessories? This is common questions. I have published two articles on it (those are given below). I think those articles will clarify about it.

1. Different Types of Garments Accessories with Pictures
2. Different Types of Trims Used in Garments

Normally garment accessories can be classified in three ways:

1. Basic accessories
2. Decorative accessories
3. Finishing accessories

A. List of Basic Garment Accessories:

1. Thread
2. Zipper
3. Interlining
4. Button for example: Snap button, Plastic button, Metal button.
5. Label: Main label, Size Label, Wash care label
6. Motif: Leather, Plastic, batch Metal
7. Pocketing fabric
8. Lining
9. Velcro
10. Elastic
11. Cord
12. Ribbon
13. Toggles
14. Rivet
15. Collar bone.

Features, functions and uses of basic garment accessories are given below:

Button:
A button is a small disc, typically round, object usually attached to an article of clothing in order to secure an opening, or for ornamentation.

Zipper:
A zipper or (zip fastener) is a popular device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric. It is used in clothing (e.g. jackets and jeans), luggage and other bags, sporting goods, camping gear (e.g., tents and sleeping bags), and other daily use items. There are different types of zipper. They are:

• Metallic zipper
• Coil zipper
• Invisible zipper
• Plastic molded zipper
• Open-ended zipper
• Close-ended zipper
• Magnetic zipper

Lining:
Lining is one kind of trimmings which is used underside of garments and use in next to skin.

Interlining:
Interlining is a layer of flannel fabric sewn in between the face fabric and the standard lining. Interlining provides insulation and also adds a luxurious weight and softness, improves the drape of the fabric, and protects fragile fabrics. It is a popular choice with silk draperies.

Garment Pattern:
The individual par of a garment which is shaped by hard paper is called pattern.

Working Pattern:
The patterns set which is used for sample making are called working pattern.

Marker:
Marker is a large thin paper which contains shape of required pattern pieces or a particular style of garments.

Fabric Spreading:
Spreading means smooth lying out of fabrics as per marker length and width.

Fabric Cutting:
Cutting is the process by which we can cut fabrics as per marker dimension with the help of knife.

Bespoke Garments:
Bespoke Garments are made on the basis of individual clients and according to the individual’s size and requirement.

Ready to Wear Garments:
Ready to wear garments is made on the basis of target common groups, according to size charts, derived from statistical analysis.

B. List of Decorative Accessories:

1. Elastic tape
2. Buttonhole tape
3. Piping
4. Moiré ribbon
5. Seaming tape
6. Welted tape
7. Ribbed tape
8. Velvet ribbon
9. Bias binding
10. Stamped tape
11. Taffeta ribbon
12. Galloon
13. Fringes
14. Cords
15. Tassels
16. Rosettes
17. Soutache
18. Pompons

Features, functions and uses of decorative garment accessories are:

Trimmings:
Those accessories which are used in sewing section are called trimmings. General name for a patterned, woven or knitted ribbon in cotton, silk, wool, or man-made fibre.

Scalloping, Rick-rack:
Narrow bowed, zigzag, or scalloped ribbon, plain or multi-coloured in cotton or man-made fibers for edge trimming of traditional costumes and children’s wear.

Elastic tape:
It is an elastic cotton strip. Highly elastic, flat, braided band containing rubber or elastomeric fibers.

Buttonhole tape:
Broad elastic tape with buttonholes located in the center.

Piping:
Cotton or linen plain woven ribbon about 1 cm wide, used as a tailoring aid for edges, reveres, and collars.

Moiré ribbon:
Cotton, silk or man-made fibre ribbon with a moiré pattern for hat bands and bows.

Seaming tape:
Cotton or viscose twill woven tape for stabilising seams.

Welted tape:
Cotton or viscose tape with a narrow welt at the edge.

Ribbed tape:
Cotton, silk, or viscose tape with pronounced ribs for decoration or for waistbands.

Velvet ribbon:
Cotton, silk or viscose narrow-woven velvet; sensitive to handling.

Bias binding:
Tape cut on the bias (diagonally) in various widths and materials, plain or patterned, either flat or folded for use as binding.

Stamped tape:
Interlining tape with pre-stamped marks to show sewing width and seam allowance. Aids more efficient working.

Taffeta ribbon:
Filament yarn ribbon, plain or check patterned, for ribbon bows.

Galloon:
A particularly supple, plain or patterned braided ribbon for piping or binding in outerwear.

Fringes:
A narrow edging of projecting yarns which are not woven into the fabric, in viscose, wool, or silk.

Cords:
Circular braided materials of various thickness in viscose, cotton or synthetics. Used as decoration for clothing, in household textiles, and in sporting goods.

Tassels:
Expensive, hand-made articles in silk or viscose. A combination of fringes, cords, and braids.

Rosettes:
Decorative items used either alone or in combination with ornamental textiles.

Soutache:
A mouldable flat braid with two ribs in silk or viscose used for formal clothes.

Pompons:
Bunches of wool, silk or synthetics used as trimmings, hanging alone or in groups.

C. List of Finishing Accessories:
There are some finishing accessories:

1. Hang tag
2. Price tag
3. Plastic/ poly bag
4. Tissue paper
5. Carton
6. Scotch tape
7. PP belt
8. Tag pin
9. Plastic clip
10. Stiker
11. Butterfly
12. Collar insert
13. Back board
14. Necks insert

You may also like:

1. Garment Trimmings – An Overview
2. Role of Trims in Garments Making
3. Different Types of Buttons Used in Garments
4. Consumption Calculation of Fabric, Garment Trimmings and Accessories
5. Calculate Yarn Consumption and Costing for Fully Fashioned Knitwear
6. Different Types of Garments Accessories with Pictures
7. Different Types of Trims Used in Garments
8. Fabric Sourcing: Key Task for Garment Merchandiser
9. Proven Sourcing Strategy for Trims and Accessories
10. Types of Zippers and Methods of Application

Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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