Technology and Livelihood Education-9

Lesson 1: HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF FASHION ACCESSORIES

PRODUCTION
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 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. The history of fashion accessories is a lengthy and broad subject, so we
will break it down per accessory type.

NECKLACE/CHAIN
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. Some used more precious materials from hard-to-find places, like the valuable
necklace made of Mediterranean red coral beads found in Neolithic remains in the Alps, dated
around 4,200-3,400 BC.
When metalworking was developed, it added more jewelry options for humans. A flat,
crescent-shaped neckpiece made of metal, or the lunula, is found in Bronze Age Scotland and Ireland
in 1,800-1,500 BC. 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 used 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 set with gemstone were
in style. Their neck accessory usually indicates their social status and level of wealth. Materials such
as gold, silver, pearls, and diamonds have long been a popular choice for necklaces since the
Western history of dressing until today. These often symbolize wealth, glamour, and prestige.
Nowadays, the ideal necklace for professional, business, and bridal dress is made up of these
materials. 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 they 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 necklaces 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”.
BRACELET
After the ornaments for the neck, another oldest form of jewelry is the bracelet for the
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.
Bracelets in Ancient Egyptian times were mostly a string of gold beads and hoops, and some were
hinged. In Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Assyrians bracelets were often in the form of coiled spiral
snakes or penannular armbands with enameled sphinxes and heads of lions or bulls. During the Iron
Age, the spiral forms of bracelets with animal motifs were common in Europe. Meanwhile, the
bracelets with separate, hinged panels were first created by the Etruscans, but the style was still
popular in the early 21 st century. These are 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 arm accessories.
During the Middle Ages, the bracelet became unfashionable, but it was brought back again during
the 17th century. Women began wearing bangles and wrist accessories made from ribbon strings.
During the Victorian era, charms and pendant-style lockets became a trend in bracelets.
Plastic became material for bracelets during the 20 th 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.

EARRINGS
The Sumerian women wore crescent-shaped gold hoop earrings at around 2,500 BC,
according to archaeologists. In 1,500 BC Egypt, earrings were worn by both men and women.
Ancient Egyptian earrings were usually mushroom-shaped studs or plugs to be stretched in the
earlobe by an enlarged hole.
In the first millennium BC, Greeks and Etruscans wore earrings as a symbol of wealth. They
wore hoop earrings, disk earrings, as well as leech earrings – a thick tube secured by a hidden wire,
and box-type earrings. All these were stamped out of thin sheets of gold and were embellished with
scrolls, flowers, and fine palmettes.
Later on, the Romans began to use gems or colored stones in earrings. This was imitated by
other civilizations until the Roman influence began to decline. In the year 330 A.D., the Byzantine’s
crescent-shaped, gold filigree earrings, and plain gold hoops with pearl pendants hanging on chains
set the trend for ear accessories.
Earrings became unnecessary and impractical during the 11 th to early 16th centuries because
the stylish hairstyles and headdresses of the day covered the ears completely . It was during the late
1500s when earrings became fashionable among gentlemen and courtiers during the English
Renaissance. By the late 17th century, earrings became an important part of dressing up for both
men and women. It became lighter and simpler over time.
The practice of ear piercing for earrings re-emerged during the 1950s. The trend began as a
fad among college girls, and Queen Elizabeth II set an example when she had an ear piercing to be
able to wear the diamond earrings she received as a wedding gift. By the 1970s, ear-piercing became
common among women. It was also when earrings returned to fashion for men, thanks to popular
male music performers who set an example. Most of the men who wore earrings before were
homosexuals, sailors or members of groups or gangs, but today, it has increasingly become more
common and acceptable as something no other than decoration.
Multiple piercings in one or both ears also emerged into mainstream popularity in the
1970s. It became a trend to wear a second, third or more set of earrings within the ear. Asymmetric
double piercing and cartilage piercing have become trendy and acceptable practices.
Over time, different types and styles of earrings emerged. Earrings have become a form of
personal expression and plainly a matter of personal choice – not indicative of social status,
sexuality, moral or religious standards, and others.

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 headdresses 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 16 th century, women had structured
hats like those of male courtiers. A wide range of hats was designed during the 19 th century. Women
often wore bonnets, but eventually, they became larger, decorated with flowers, ribbons, feathers,
and gauze trimmings. As 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 is 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.
In the Western world, the beret hat has been worn by both sexes of all ages since the 1920s. It was
adopted as part of the US Girl Scouts’ uniform in 1936 but was replaced with the visor baseball cap
in 1994.

KINDS OF FASHION ACCESSORY

While the ―look of popular accessories changes often, the general categories and types of items
that people wear to add finishing touches to their attire have been fairly consistent throughout the
history.

Jewelry – Fashionable items like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and brooches have long been used to
add stylish touches to all types of outfits
Footwear – While shoes and boots serve a practical function, they can also be stylish fashion
accessories for women, men and children.
Headwear – Berets and other types of hats are functional and fashionable items, providing warmth
while also making a fashion statement.
 Hand coverings – Gloves are an important fashion accessory, with some styles providing warmth and
hand protection while others add elegant style to formal attire.
Finishing touches – Accessories like belts and buckles as well as neckties and neckwear add critical
finishing touches to many outfits.
Walking aids – Items like canes and walking sticks have long been used, sometimes as an elegant
accessory and other times out of medical necessity.

Jewelry
Jewelry is the ultimate decorative accessory. Some sort has been worn since prehistoric man first
strung beans, shells, or animal teeth and hung them around his neck. Nowadays, men, women and
children wear jewelry in many forms including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooch, and many
more.

Classification of Jewelry
a. Fine Jewelry – refers to all pieces of jewelry made from precious metals (gold
and platinum) in combination with precious or semiprecious gems. This jewelry
is generally expensive.
b. Fashion Costume Jewelry – refers to all pieces of jewelry made from other
metals, including precious silver, or from unusual materials (wood, glass, beads,
etc.) and semiprecious or imitation gems. This jewelry is inexpensive, but its
excellent designing has often boosted the prices fashion jewelry into the range
of fine jewelry.
Jewelry Styles for Men and Women Types of Jewelries
1. Earrings are ornament worn on the ears. They
may have a backing for pierced ears, or screws,
clips, or wires. Earrings come in many shapes
and sizes, including ball, button, hoop, and drop.
2. Necklace is an article of jewelry that is worn
around the neck. Necklaces are frequently
formed from a metal jewelry chain. Others are
woven or manufactured from cloth using string
or twine.
3. Ring is a circular band worn on the finger. It
can be of metal, plastic, or wood; jeweled or
plain. Some ring has special significance, like a
friendship, engagement, wedding, school, or
signet ring; other are purely decorative
4. Bracelet is an armband of various types. A
bangle is a ring that slips onto the wrist; it may
have a hinge opening. There are linked bracelets,
chain bracelets, identification bracelets, and
charm bracelets.

5. Brooch is an ornament that is held by a pin or

clasp and is worn at or near the neck
Hair accessories are parts of clothing that are worn or an accent and decor on one’s hair
Headbands are clothing accessories worn in the
hair or around the forehead, usually to hold hair
away from the face or eyes. Headbands generally
consist of a loop of elastic material or a
horseshoe-shaped piece of flexible plastic or
metal. They come in assorted shapes and sizes
and are used for both fashion and
practical/utilitarian purposes.
Finishing touches
Belts are flexible bands or straps, typically made
of leather or heavy cloth, or knots and worn
around the waist. A belt supports trousers or
other articles of clothing.