How to wear ruffles

Ruffles and flounces are everywhere this season, found on every garment and accessory imaginable. Shoes, bags, sleeves, collars, hems, you name it; they’re frilled to the max. But don’t think of this key structural detail as just for evening and occasion wear, because ruffles are for down-time dressing too.

Scroll down for 4 key ruffled items with full outfit inspiration plus body shape tips for choosing the most flattering ruffles for your frame.

The sweater

Update your jeans and jumper outfit with a flounce, detailed jeans and pink suede trainers.

Grey ruffle sweater, Mint Velvet | Circle pendant necklace, Jaeger | Straight leg star jeans, Mango | Adidas Gazelle trainers, ASOS

The dress

The sleeveless dress isn’t just for high summer; layer it over a fitted long sleeve tee to get more wear and top with a simple coatigan.

Ruffle dress, Mango | Striped top, Hallhuber | Grey coatigan, Phase Eight | Silver leather sandals, Marks & Spencer

The jumpsuit

Another summer staple to layer up until the mercury rises. Dress down a ruffled jumpsuit with trainers and a satchel.

Floral print ruffle jumpsuit, Miss Selfridge | Long sleeve layering top, Oasis | Red satchel, the Cambridge Satchel company | Silver Superga plimsolls, The White Company

The shirt

Take the ruffle and make it sporty with a nod to the cricket knit trend in this bold V front shirt. Team with red boots (your ankle boot update) and a cropped straight leg jean to sit above the boots.

Ruffle shirt, Next | Tortoiseshell cat eye sunglasses, Next | Slim crop jean, Ralph Lauren | Grey blazer, Oasis | Buckle ankle boot, Topshop

Style notes

It goes without saying that ruffles add volume wherever they are placed, so avoid putting them on areas you’re conscious of making appear bigger! This volume can work in your favour though to draw the eye away from problem areas and add curves to balance out your figure.

Easy reference guide to matching your ruffles to your shape:

Issue:

Big boobs or broad shoulders (in proportion to your body)
Avoid ruffles on your bust and high necklines with flounces as well as shoulder and sleeve ruffles.

Solution:

Balance a top heavy shape with ruffles down a skirt or a single asymmetric flounce (think diagonally from shoulder to hip to draw the eye).

Ruffle skirt, Izabel London

Issue:

Wide hips or big bottom (in proportion to your body)
Avoid ruffles on your bottom half which will accentuate the width.

Solution:

Draw the eye upwards with ruffles on your top; balance hips with shoulder ruffles and ensure any ruffled cuffs on sleeves don’t sit in line with your hips – the eye will go straight to this point and highlight your hips.

Ruffle one shoulder top, Fashion Union

Issue:

Small boobs (in proportion to your body) or straighter figure

Solution:

Create curves on a straight up and down shape with bold structural ruffles and look for asymmetry with the lines. Boost a lacklustre bust with a frilled and flounce-fronted top.

Hooded sweatshirt, ASOS

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