Pom Poms and Tassels

There is a popular story that circulates, that says that sailors used to wear pom poms atop their hats because of the low boat ceilings, in order to sense when they were about to hit their head, and to soften the blow if they did. The word comes from French, “pompon” which means “ornamental tuft.”  They are also known as a bobble or a torrie.  They can be traced all the way back to the vikings, though!  They have often been worn on helmets or hats as a mark of belonging to a specific regiment. In South America, traditional garments will include colorful pom poms to signal the marital status of both mean and women.  

The word “tassel” comes from the Latin “tawau” which means a garment clasp, or mantle fastener. Tassels were originally used to tie off fibers at the end of weavings or clothes to prevent the strands from unraveling, such as the tassels at the end of a scarf. They are referenced in the Bible, and King Tut was unearthed with a tassel around his neck.  They were used for clothing, but also as talismans, signifiers of prestige, such as the Oxford and Cambridge tassels, tassels worn by different members of the clergy, and even royal guards and costumes.  The French popularized the tassel in the west, with the establishment of the Guild of the Passementiers in the 16th century, which was charged with creating elaborate trimmings for cloth and rope.