Once a fastener, grommet now makes fashion statement

It’s not often an item makes the leap from shower curtain hardware to hot style trend, but grommets have done just that this season.

Once used more for function than fashion, grommets made a name for themselves as fasteners or reinforcements on tarps, tents and, yes, shower curtains. But now the round metal eyelets decorate everything from pants to swimwear to belts to sandals.

Walk into upscale couture boutiques or cost-conscious mainstream retailers and you’re sure to find grommets on some item.

Gigi Guerra, executive editor of the women’s fashion magazine Lucky, attributes the trend to a punk resurgence.

“The punk look is in the air,” Guerra says, “and grommets are an easy way to get away with something that’s a little bit funky, but still a little bit more refined.”

“I also think it’s a throwback to the ‘60s,” she adds. “Sort of a mod touch in a way.”

Hmm. Punk … ‘60s … is there something larger at work here? The recently released “Punk: Loud, Young and Snotty – The Story Behind the Songs” by Steven Wells (Thunder’s Mouth Press) calls punk’s message one of “dissatisfaction, anger and integrity.”

Certainly, world events of late breed much dissatisfaction and anger. And certainly, we could use a little integrity wherever we can find it. And you don’t have to look hard to find comparisons between current military conflicts and Vietnam.

Are grommets a political statement? 2004’s answer to tie-dye?

Nah, probably not. But they do seem to give otherwise delicate clothing and accessories a tougher, more purposeful edge. A plain canvas belt says “preppy.” A canvas belt with grommets says “street-smart.” Flip-flop straps say “carefree.” Flip-flop straps with grommets say “durable.” Cargo capri pants say “I have lots of pockets.” Cargo capri pants with grommets say “I have lots of pockets and I just might use them to carry a field guide and a compass.”

“I love the idea of them,” Guerra says. “They’re unexpected. You get these bright colors and grommets together and it makes a crazy hybrid.”

But for all their durability, grommets aren’t likely to make it past September as a fashion trend.

“They’re more of a summer detail,” Guerra says. “They’re open in the center, so you’re not going to see them on a top in winter.”

At which point they can return to the bathroom from whence they came.