Trimmings and Accessories: An Inevitable Part of Apparels

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Trimmings and Accessories Used in Apparel Industry:

In apparel manufacturing process, fabric is the main raw material. It is impossible to make apparel only with fabric. To make complete apparel different types of secondary materials are used. These secondary materials are known trimmings and accessories.

What are Trimmings and Accessories?

Trimmings: To produce or make apparel the components (excluding main fabric) which are attached with apparel by sewing or alternative method of joining are called as trimmings.

Garment Trimmings
Fig: Garment trimmings

It’s attached with the body of apparel by sewing. It is used for functional purposes.

Example: Sewing thread, Button, Zipper, Label, Interlining, Lining, Appliqué, Seguin, Stone, etc.

Accessories: To produce or make apparel the components (excluding main fabric) which are attached with apparel for finishing purpose or packing purpose is called accessories.

Garment accessories
Fig: Garment accessories

It is not directly attached with the body of apparel by sewing, only used for finishing and packing purpose.

Basically, accessories are used for decorative purposes and trimmings are used as functional purposes.

Example: Poly Bag, Safety Pin, Al pin, Neck Bord, Carton, Tissue Paper, Price Tag, etc.

List of Trimmings and Accessories Used in Apparel Industry:

List of all Trimmings in ApparelsList of all Accessories in Apparels
1. Sewing Thread

  • Monofilament Thread
  • Multifilament Thread
  • Textured Thread
  • Core spun Thread
1. Hanger
2. Button2. Hangtag
3. Zipper:

  • Nylon Zipper
  • Metal Zipper
  • Plastic Zipper
3. Size Tag
4. Rivet4. Tissue Paper
5. Motif5. Collar Stand
6. Lining6. Back board
7. Interlining7. Neck board
8. Stopper8. Paper Band
9. Lace9. Pin/ Clip
10. Braid10. Tag Pin
11. Elastics11. Poly Bag
12.  Label

  • Main Label
  • Size Label
  • Care Label
12. Elastic Bag
13. Shoulder Pad13. Mini Poly Bag
14. Hook & Loop14. Gum tape
15. Twill Tape15. Scotch tape
16. Velco tape16. P.P. Band
17. Pom Pom17. Carton Pad
18. Wadding18. Master Cartoon
19. Ribbon19. Inner Cartoon
20. Fusing Material20. Outer Cartoon
21. Crochet21. Iron Seal
22. Wadding22. Tarpaulin Paper
23. Metal Badge23. Carton Sticker
24. Down24. Safety Sticker
25. String/ Draw Cord25. Arrow Sticker
26. Piping Cord26. Size Sticker
27. Cord Bell27. Numbering Stickers
28. Emblem28. Butterfly
29.  Swivel Hook29. Both side tape
30. Eyelet/ Grommet30. Plastic Staple
31. Collar stay31. Barcode
32. Buckle32. Ball Chain
33. Weaving Belt33. Silica Gel, etc
34. Cable (Steel ware)
35. Adjuster
36. Recco, etc

Difference between Trimmings and Accessories:

In apparel industry, trimmings and accessories are very important to make an apparel aesthetic, functional and commercially acceptance. But trimmings and accessories are not same. There function and looks are completely different. The difference between trimmings and accessories will be discussed about trimmings and accessories in below:

TopicsTrimmingsAccessories
Technical DefinitionTo produce or make apparel the components (excluding main fabric) which are attached with apparel by sewing or alternative method of joining are called as trimmings.To produce or make apparel the components (excluding main fabric) which are attached with apparel for finishing purpose or packing purpose is called accessories.
Non-Technical
Definition		Trimmings are the ultimate materials that are attached with apparel while using by the end users.Accessories are the ultimate materials that are not attached with apparel while using by the end users.
PurposesUses as functional purposes.Uses as decorative purposes.
ExampleSewing thread, Button, Zipper, Label, Interlining, Lining, Applique, Seguin, Stone, etc.Poly Bag, Safety Pin, Al pin, Neck Bord, Carton, Tissue Paper, Price Tag, etc.

Basic trimmings and accessories used for making apparel

Trimmings and Accessories used for making a shirt:

A. List of Trimmings for Shirt:

1. Fusible interlining

2. Sewing thread (40/2 or 40/3 or 50/3): Matching color

3. Label:

  • main label
  • size label
  • care label
  • price label and
  • composition label

4. Button: Plastic or wooden or horn

5. Motif

B. List of Accessories for Shirt:

  1. Neck board
  2. Back board
  3. Collar insert: Usually plastic
  4. Hang tang
  5. Tag ping
  6. Price tick
  7. Tissue paper
  8. Poly bag
  9. Butter flies, etc.

Trimmings and Accessories used for making a pant:

A. List of Trimmings for Pant:

  1. Pocketing: Extra fabric required for preparing pockets.
  2. Fusible interlining
  3. Zipper (seven to eight and half inch): Made of nylon or brass
  4. Sewing thread (40/2 or 40/3 or 50/3): Matching color
  5. Label: Main label, size label, care label
  6. Hooks
  7. Button (24L to 28L): Metal, plastic or wooden

B. List of Accessories for Pant:

  • Accessories
  • Hang tags
  • Tag pins
  • Price tickets
  • Tissue papers
  • Poly bags

Conclusion:

Trimmings and accessories in the apparel are very important to make apparel aesthetic, functional and commercially acceptance. Trimmings are used to enhance apparel. It is visible parts of the apparel that can be used to increase hanger appeal, provide product differentiation, and relate to current fashion trends. At the same time, Accessories are used as decorative purpose to be selected and applied to enhance the aesthetic appeal of apparel. In a brief, functional trimmings and decorative accessories are an inevitable part of the apparel structure.

Author of this Article:
Md. Mahedi Hasan
B.Sc. in Textile Engineering
Textile Engineering College, Noakhali.
Email: mh18.bd@gmail.com

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