Garment trims are all auxiliary materials or components used in the construction of a garment, in addition to the main fabric. They can be functional (e.g. zippers and buttons) or decorative (e.g. embroidery or metal tags). In fashion production, accessories are usually categorized according to their role as basic and decorative accessories. It is often used to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of a garment.
Trims and accessories: what's the difference?
Trims are sewn or fixed directly onto the garment during the production process. Accessories, on the other hand, are usually stand-alone pieces that complement the final garment.
Common trims for Garments
1. Functional Trims
Sewing Thread: Used to sew various parts of the garment piece together, it is one of the most commonly used accessories for garments.
Material: cotton, polyester cotton, polyester, nylon, vinylon, polypropylene.
Zipper: Used to open and close clothes, interlocked or separated by the zipper slider at the top. Commonly used in jackets, backpacks, dresses
Type: metal zipper, nylon zipper, plastic zipper, two-way zipper, invisible zipper, waterproof zipper
Buttons: One of the common fasteners for garments, used to attach pieces of clothing or trim.
Types: denim buttons, four-in-one buttons, hand-stitched buttons, magnetic buttons, five claw buttons, chicken eye buttons
Material: metal buttons, wooden buttons, resin buttons, shell buttons, rubber buttons
Velcro: used for adjusting and fixing clothing, lightweight and easy to use
Applications: children's clothing, military uniforms, medical clothing, shoes, boots, bags
Interlining: can enhance the stiffness and maintain the shape of the garment, commonly used in suit collars, lapels, hat brims
Type: cotton interlining, viscose fiber interlining, silk fabric (textile) interlining, synthetic fiber filament interlining
Lining: often sewn on the inside of the garment to increase wearing comfort.
Material: polyester taffeta, acetate, cotton
Type: cotton interlining; linen; brushed interlining; ponytail interlining; resin interlining, etc.
Sewing Thread
Zipper
Buttons
Velcro
Interlining
Lining
2.Decorative Trims
Lace: with rich and complex patterns, often used to decorate women's clothing, wedding dresses, underwear.
Material: cotton, nylon, silk, polyester.
Embroidery: Sewing patterns on fabrics to convey brand culture or national style.
Forms: hand embroidery, machine embroidery, post embroidery
Sequins: to increase the glittering effect of the garment, suitable for costumes with a strong sense of stage.
Applications: party dresses, performance clothes, children's clothes, etc.
Tassels: used to decorate the edges of garments, shawls, curtains, creating a sense of fluctuation.
Material: cotton thread, leather cord, rayon, etc.
Applique: Enhance the visual level and personality by sewing and pasting fabric patterns.
Types: fabric appliqué, bead embroidery appliqué, leather appliqué, etc.
3.Brand Identity Trims
Woven Label: Sewn on the collar, pants waist, inner seam and other positions, used to show the brand name, size, origin, washing method and so on.
Leather labels: labels made of leather materials, commonly used in jeans, jackets, hats, etc..
Material: leather labels, PU leather labels, metal leather labels
Metal label: metal material brand identity, commonly used in clothing, bags.
Common styles: letters metal tags, inlaid diamond LOGO, magnetic button metal tags.
Thermal transfer labels: transfer the pattern to the fabric by hot pressing, suitable for seamless labeling needs.
Types: silicone thermal transfer, metal thermal transfer.
Woven Label
Leather Labels
Metal label
Thermal transfer labels
4. Other common Trims
Elastic bands: used for waist, cuffs, etc. to provide elasticity and comfort.
Shoulder pads: used in suits and other garments to enhance the shoulder contour.
Ribbon: used in decorative or functional ties to increase the aesthetics of the garment.
Elastic Bands
Shoulder Pads
Ribbon
2025 Emerging Garment Trims
1. RFID and NFC tags: embedded into garments for consumers to scan codes to verify authenticity and record wear records.
2. Sustainable design accessories: recyclable metal labels, bio-based TPU heat transfer labels, and naturally dyed and processed cotton woven labels.
In the fast-paced and homogenized apparel market, trims are not only functional components, but also the integration point of brand expression, consumer experience and product value.
At Kunshuo, we specialize in custom garment trims that enhance your clothing branding and offer tailored fashion hardware solutions to meet every design and production need. and production need.
Click here to view our complete accessories catalog (including metal tags, leather tags, buttons, zippers, heat transfer labels, etc.) or contact us to customize your own brand accessories (small quantity order & quick proofing supported).
