What is the history of the Tzitzit (traditional, fringed, four-corned garment)?
In ancient times, a jacket was a four-cornered piece of cloth. G-d commanded Jewish men to put a fringe on each corner. These fringes would remind us while we are doing all the things we do, that we must do them according to G-d’s commandments. Eventually, styles changed and our jackets no longer have 4 corners. However, we realize that the idea of always wearing a reminder that we are Jewish and that we have responsibilities is still as important as ever. Therefore, the custom is to wear a special four-cornered garment, either under our shirts, and/or as a “Talit” above our jackets, with the four fringes on them. The Hebrew word for fringes is “Tzitzit.”
Rabbi David Shenker