The fabric of human society has evolved over millennia and has progressed only with the first drive for three things – food, shelter and clothing. Not much can be said about the first two, but leaps and bounds have been made regarding how one can express themselves with the attire they choose to wear and the accessories that are paired to go along with it. Despite modern technical innovations in fabric design, there has been a recent revival of old school techniques and lost traditions. One such knitting technique that is making a comeback is Macrame fabric which can be used to create a wide range of things like macrame bag, cardigans, berets and anything in between that the mind can think of.
High street fashion this season
It is a known fact that fashion keeps repeating itself in waves, and this time, it’s in vogue to ride the tide of naturally worked fabrics. Macrame in particular is making this comeback as it has a labor-intensive production procedure since it cannot be mechanised with looms. Though it might come off as a demerit, it is one of the strong points of this fabric since it has a human element to take into consideration during the production phase.
But the real reason why its surging back is the way it looks complementing the wearer and the body type. The knotted texture gives it an appeal like no other, that can be paired with casual denim to mercerised cotton.
The Macrame Edge
The benefits of this fabric go beyond just the manufacture.
Firstly, it negates the need for energy in power looms and machinery. It sustains and supports vital weaver communities and their handiwork.
Secondly, these natural fibres are biodegradable and require minimal water usage for dyeing and processing.
But the most important edge it has is in the opportunity that if made into bags, it can drastically reduce our dependence on single use plastic baggage. Be it for the regular grocery run or for a fine dine dinner party, macrame bags have versatility in spades to deliver for the occasion. Due to the durable nature of the textile, it can last decades and can be passed down generations.
Gender biased bounds
A Macrame bag has a myriad of applications from a tote bag to a coin purse in an accessory part of a women’s apparel. But it can do a lot more proliferation in men’s wardrobe simply because of its rugged looks and it’s nature of origin. This knotting technique was developed by Arabian weavers in the 13th century and later improvised by sailors due to the stiffness it provides. If soiled, it can easily be machine washed in repeated cycles without damage to the original fabric design. Circling back to men’s fashion, this bold fabric is definitely bound to break stereotypes and conventions as it was once thought to be the preserve of feminine couture. Since Men’s fashion is gaining traction of late, suffice to say macrame has its own place in their wardrobe. With fall weather approaching, the heavy nature of this material is well suited with a tweed jacket and a woolen shawl. The highlight of such an ensemble lies in the chance that the same macrame bag can then again be sported with a straw hat and a button-down in a tropical climate!. If that doesn’t define understated class, it is then a difficult job to appease the ones with an inflated sense of style. Regardless, stepping outside the gender role box, a macrame bag has a lot to offer in everyday usability and functionality.
Conclusion
If all this doesn’t convince, then definitely the fact that it is very light on the wallet is surely a headturner. Going by the cost per wear aspect of quantifying the quality of a product, the fabric in question has a reputable accord in holding its own forte in the trade. It all now boils down to how one sees this old school wonder fabric in this day and age of modern technology and design. Certainly, it has a lot going for it in that front to keep it going strong for ages to come.
