Step Up Your Style! Patches Add Style To Old Clothing

You probably don’t think of custom patches as high fashion accessories, but rather just as something to add a little style to old clothing. Think again. More and more fashionistas and haute couture designers are recognizing fashion patches for clothing as a distinctive element.

Indeed, fashion patches have taken the world by storm, becoming a favorite way for many people to demonstrate individuality and creativity. The right patch can turn an ordinary garment into a bold statement piece. 

The Rise of Fashion Patches

For centuries, patches for clothing were little more than utilitarian. They were simply a way to extend the life of garments that might otherwise be thrown away. Over the years, patches became an identification tool for military units and a way to signify rank and specialty. That began to change by the 1960s.

Fashion Patches in the 1960s: A Symbol of Expression and Activism

The 1960s were a time of upheaval and change around the world. Young people began to reject the status quo of previous generations. They turned to rebellion and activism as a way to effect political change in multiple countries. Custom patches became a way to express themselves and their ideas. 

Particularly in protesting the Vietnam War, fashion patches for clothing became a way to make a statement. Jackets and jeans adorned with anti-war slogans and peace signs became visible just about everywhere. 

Anti-war messages weren’t the only ones, however. Many people chose to express their creativity through unique one-of-a-kind patches in colorful, distinctive patterns. They often incorporated environmental, spiritual or humorous messages.

Music Influences

The ‘60s saw the rise of legendary bands and artists such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and many others. Fans created fashion patches for clothing that featured images, album covers, lyrics and logos of their favorite artists.

By the 1970s, custom patches were a standard part of rock and roll attire. In the late years of the decade, punk rock and New Wave bands adopted patches as on of the symbols of their rebellion against the status quo (read: disco). It was easy to make an anti-establishment statement with ripped jeans, a black leather jacket and a snarky patch.

Part of the appeal of patches to the punks was the “do it yourself” attitude of punk rockers. If you wanted to be a punk you sewed or safety pinned patches onto your clothing. If you wanted to make a personal statement of your belief in anarchy, you could do it with scraps of fabric or secondhand materials. 

In a sense, punk rock, and the fashions associated with it, brought rock and roll back to its roots. In its early days, the music was bold, loud, raucous and even threatening compared to the sound that came before. Punk brought that sense back, after years of mechanical disco and pretentious “progressive” rock.

It was a clear-cut deviation from the mainstream. Unlike the slick, glossy productions of the previous few years, punk music was rough, unpolished and raw. The fashion patches for clothing that came along with it were equally down to earth, often featuring simple, graffiti-like designs, hand-drawn images and unfinished edges.

Just as music has continued to evolve over the decades, so have fashion patches for clothing. While custom patches are still a part of the music scene, they’ve also gone upscale to high fashion as well.

Patches in High Fashion

Today’s patches have come a long way from their common style roots. Fashion houses from New York to Milan to Paris have incorporated fashion patches for clothing in to their runway haute couture wear.

Modern designers often use fashion patches to tell a story, celebrate cultural heritage, or explore avant-garde concepts. Luxury fashion houses such as Chanel, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana have integrated patches into their collections. 

These patches often feature exquisite embroidery, beadwork, and embellishments that demonstrate the skill of the designers and their dedicated creative staffs. Let’s take a look at some examples.

How Famous Couture Houses Use Fashion Patches

Gucci

Gucci has made fashion patches for clothing a signature element of its aesthetic, with patch designs that  feature animals, flowers, and mythological creatures. These patches, applied to everything from denim jackets to handbags, give Gucci’s collections a playful yet luxurious charm.

For example, Gucci’s snake logo patches and bee patches appear prominently in their ready-to-wear and accessory lines. Precisely embroidered and adorned with metallic threads, these designs evoke both vintage elegance and contemporary style.

Dior

Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri has used patches to explore themes of feminism and romanticism. Patches featuring poetic text, celestial symbols, and floral embroidery add delicate accents to Dior’s garments in both its haute couture and ready-to-wear collections.

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana often uses patches inspired by Italian culture in intricate designs depicting Italian landscapes, religious icons, and traditional motifs. Materials such as silk, gold thread and crystals add a touch of opulence to the artistry of the designers.

Versace

Versace’s approach to fashion patches for clothing includes bold designs such as the company’s Medusa logo and pop art influences. Leather and denim jackets often feature the striking patches. 

Chanel

Chanel’s approach to fashion patches for clothing is essentially the opposite of Versace. The brand incorporates a subtle elegance to its jackets and handbags, which frequently feature patches bearing the interlocking CC logo or founder Coco Chanel’s favorite flowers, camellia. These patches highlight Chanel’s timeless appeal.

DIY With Fashion Patches

The ateliers of Paris don’t have a monopoly on fashion patches for clothes. You can show your own unique style with custom patches too. DIY patches are a fast, easy fun way to show off your own sense of style. Custom patches are easy to apply with either a needle and thread or an iron. Here are some ways to raise your style game with patches:

Denim Jackets

Custom patches are a terrific way to transform an ordinary denim jacket into a personal work of art. Whether you choose a single patch or a series to cover the entire jacket, you can show the world a sense of fashion that is uniquely your own.

Jeans

Ever hear the saying “everything old is new again”? That’s never more true than when you use custom patches to refresh the look of an old pair of jeans. With a little creativity, you can turn those worn Levis into fashion forward denim all over again.

T-Shirts and Sweatshirts

Let’s face it, plain t-shirts and sweatshirts are pretty boring. They don’t have to be. Give them a fresh look with colorful, dramatic patches.

Caps and Beanies

If you want to add some street style to caps and beanies, stick to small, well-place patches. That way you can add flair without overwhelming the basic design.

The Future of Fashion Patches For Clothing

Like the rest of the fashion world, custom fashion patches keep changing with modern society. For example, you can buy eco-friendly patches made from recycled materials. Digital customizing tools mean you can easily design one-of-a-kind patches for a truly personalized style. And creators from the couture houses to street-style influencers keep new ideas coming all the time. That means fashion patches for clothing will always be a relevant way to express yourself.

When it comes to custom patch ordering, Patches4Less.com is your Number One choice. With 20 years in the business of providing custom patches and our highly talented team of artists and designers, we can craft the perfect patches for you.

If you’d like to find out more about fashion patches for clothing, give us a call toll-free at 866-847-2824 or email us at [email protected]. You can also fill out our no-obligation free quote form. Let us show you how easy ordering great-looking custom patches can be!