History of the Hand and Wrist Fashion Accessories - Research Paper Example

 HISTORY OF HAND AND WRIST WEAR TO THE PRESENT DAY It is a fact that fashion wear in any society is incomplete without various fashion accessories such as wrist and hand wear. Although, most of the hand and wrist wear are fashion accessory for today’s generation, they have played a significant role in history and have cultural and historical significance. History Wrist Watches Designed primarily to be worn on the wrist, which is attached to any type of bracelet or strap, wrist watches are the best fashion accessory for any person all over the world.  The history of the wrist watches started in 1571, when one of the first wrist watches was gifted by Robert Dudley to Queen Elizabeth 1 of England, also described as arm watch.  Before this, men used to keep watch in their pockets, attached by a chain. Since then, the women started using wrist watches on the regular basis as a fashion accessory while men wore pocket watches .The main reason behind was that the technology of the watch was not advanced and prone to different issues, which ranged from exposure to diverse elements.  Until mid-nineteenth century, wrist watches were manufactured and sold in the market as the bracelets for women.  Towards the nineteenth century, this fashion accessory was also used by military in an extensive manner. This was because it was important for them to synchronize various maneuvers during any war without revealing their movements to the enemy with the signals.  As using the pocket watch was not practical during the heat of war, so they started strapping their watches on the wrist.  In 1893, The Garstin Company in London patented “Watch Wristlet” design that became very popular. During Boer war, the wrist watch played an important role in synchronizing and coordinating the troop movements against the highly mobile Boer insurgents. The early models of wrist watches were essentially standard pocket watches, which were fitted in leather strap. However, with increasing demand, the manufacturers started production of specially designed wrist watches.  Since then, with the continuous research and development in this area, wrist watches have become an indispensable accessory both for men and women. Gloves The glove can be defined as a Middle English word which has been derived from Old English word glof. It can be broadly defined as a garment which covers the whole hand. This garment has separate openings or sheaths for the thumb as well as each finger. The gloves have very ancient history. The first-time gloves are described in The Odyssey by Homer. In some translations, it is described that Laërtes is wearing gloves when he is walking in garden for avoiding brambles.  The other instance of description of gloves is, in The History of Herodotus (440 BC), where Herodotus narrates about the discovery of a glove or gauntlet, full of silver received by Leotychides as the bribe. The use of gloves has also been mentioned in Roman literature, when Pliny the Younger during c.100, wore gloves in winter, so there was no interruption in elder Pliny’s work. Portrait of Mme. Paulin with gloves Pierre Auguste Renoir Throughout the middle ages, a gauntlet also described as the glove made from metal armor or leather was the strategic part of any soldier’s defense due to frequent hand combat. The gloves become common as the fashion ornament of the ladies during 13th century. These gloves were made from silk and linens. The Paris guild of Glovers which came into existence during 13th century made gloves from fur or skin. The fashion of Gloves reached its zenith when Queen Elizabeth I, set the fashion of jeweled and richly embroidered gloves during 16th century. The fashion of gloves also gave birth to distinctive guilds, which made different type of gloves intended for distinct classes in society. During 17th century, the gloves which were made from soft chicken skin became very fashionable. The jeweled and embroidered gloves were the part of insignia of kings and emperors. When short sleeves were in fashion during 1700s, the women started to use long gloves, which reached half-way up to the forearm. In 1870s, there were many types of gloves, which were in fashion such as velvet, silk or buttoned kid gloves that were used with dinner or evening dresses as the accessory. Today, also people all over the world use gloves for various purposes from protection from cold to hide crimes to protection from contamination of the disease. Bracelets A bracelet can be broadly described as any loop of the material such as chain or strap designed specially to be worn around the forearm or wrist. Sometimes, it is interlocking or jointed loops. Most often, it is manufactured in various decorative styles and used as jewelry by both men and women all over the world. Bracelets have historical and cultural significance all over the world. The earliest known bracelet which has been found is as old as 5000 BC. The Egyptian bracelets found during excavations, are made from bones, wood and stones have a spiritual and religious interest. As per National Geographic Society, one of the most recognized symbols of old Egypt is scarab bracelet. In ancient Egypt, scarab represents the regeneration and rebirth. During 2008, the Russian archeologists who were excavating Denisova cave site in Siberia found a bracelet which was carbon dated from 40,000 BP. Cultural significance of bracelet The cultural significance of the bracelet plays an important role in life of people around the world. In Latin America, people wear Azabache bracelet for protection against evil eye or Mal de ojo.  The Greek people have a tradition of weaving a bracelet from white and red string on 1st day of March, which continues after the end of summer and is widely known as “Martis”. It is believed that this bracelet offers protection to skin from strong Sun in summer. Bangles Circular in shape, but unlike the bracelets, the bangles are not flexible. The word Bangle is primarily derived from Hindi language, Bungri or glass. Made from various prized and non-precious materials like plastic, ferrous metals, wood, glass, platinum, silver and gold, etc., they are very popular with South Asian women and have cultural and historical significance.  The earliest examples of bangles, excavated in archeological sites include the Mahurjhari where copper bangles were found. The bangle made from various materials such as gold, chalcedony, agate, bronze, sea shell and copper has also been found in various archeological sites all over India. The archaeologists have also found a dancing girl’s figurine that is wearing bangles in her left arm from Mohenjo-daro dated in 2600 BC. The other examples of decorated bangles have been found carbon dated at 322-185 BCE, Mauryan Empire. The samples of gold bangles have been found in the old site of Taxila, dated from 6th century BCE.  Characteristics Watches Since, its invention, the watches are used as fashion accessory as well as for ascertaining the time of the day. It is one of the indispensible part of accessory when going out of home, whether it is for business or pleasure. Gloves Gloves are used for protection of the hands from outside weather or dirt. The gloves are also part of evening wear and are essential part of dressing for the people who are working for various hazardous industries for protection from contamination. Bracelets The bracelet is primarily worn in one hand as an accessory. The bracelets are manufactured from various materials which include wood, plastic, leather, precious and semi-precious materials and metals as per the customer’s taste. It is very popular with both men and women all over the world. Bangles Today, also bangles are traditional ornaments and have strong social and religious significance for South Asian women. The oldest types of bangles are made from lakh and are very popular among the ladies.  This accessory has a traditional value in Hinduism and is necessary part of dressing for married women. It is worn by every age group of women, from toddler to older women. Although, bangles are worn all over the world, but for South Asian women, it has a special religious and cultural significance. Styles As a necessary part of accessory and fashion wear, the hand and wrist wear are available in infinite styles in the market for the benefit of the customers. Watches Since, its invention, the watches have become a necessary part of accessory that functions also as the jewelry for both men and women. There are many companies in the market who brings out regular collection in different styles for the benefits of the customers. Gloves A necessary part of winter wear wardrobe, evening or formal wear, the gloves are available in infinite colors with which you can mix and match your dress and formal gown to present an elegant look. Bracelets The accessory wear enhances the style statement, whether it is casual or formal look. You can also mix and match it with any outfit you are going to wear whether you are staying at home or going outside with friends. Bangles Although, most of the ladies love to wear lovely bangles with their outfit, but it cannot compare with South Asian women, where you can see this colorful accessory in everyone’s hands, regardless of age group, which extends from toddler girls to old ladies. Present trends It is a fact that the fashion trends change continuously with the season and the years. The accessories for hand and wrist wear also change with fashion trend. Some current trends in market are as follows. Watches The most popular themes for watches are astral travelers such as moon and solar system. For ladies, most of the companies have designed mechanical watches. Gloves The current trend for gloves in the market includes long gloves, the gloves that are decorated with ornaments and short hand gloves. Bracelets Presently, the in look for most of the designers is the flamboyant look. Most of the designers have designed leather bracelets as the accessory. Bangles Most of the designers have designed the bangles with chunky and flamboyant looks specially for the buyers. Famous designers and their collection There are many famous designers and designer brands all over the world, who design and manufacture the below wrist and hand wear for the discerning customers. Some of their collections which are available in the market for the benefits of the customers are as below. Watches Famous Designer Brands Their collections Omega sa Constellation, Seamaster, Speedmaster, De Ville, Specialities Rolex Quartz Ladies, Quartz Mens, Cellinium, Cestello Ladies, Cestello Mens, Danaos Mensuj, Prince Tag Huer TAG Heuer's current lines include Formula One, Aquaracer, Link, Carrera, Monaco and Grand Carrera. Cartier Pasha de Cartier, Ligne 21 de Cartier, Tank, Santos de Cartier, Baignoire Raymond Weils Freelancer, Jasmine Gloves Famous Designers Their collections Rachel Roy Dries van Noten Rick Owen Rochas Haider Ackerman Jony long collection, Vestiaire collection Bracelets Famous Designer Brands Their collections Cartier panthere-de-cartier-bracelets, love Harry Winston Lily cluster Piaget Piaget rose, Possession, Limelight Tiffany & Co. Atlas, Paradise Found Bvlgari B Zero 1, Bridal Bangles Famous Brands Their collections TANISHIQ CARATLANE FASHIONLADY CRAFTVILLE Alex and Annie Road to Romance References Abbott Payson Usher, 2011. A History of Mechanical Inventions: Revised Edition. Revised Edition. Dover Publications Ghosh, Amalananda, 1991. Encyclopedia of Indian Archaeology (Vol 1). Edition. Brill Academic Publishers. Read More