Upon first glance, a ruffled blouse seems like a purely fanciful item of clothing. Perhaps due to its monarchical connotations or how the frills dance whimsically as you walk, the ruffled blouse feels like a highly unserious item of clothing.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth. They may be flamboyant by nature, as evidenced by the wardrobes of prolific hedonists such as Liberace and Louis VIII, but the garment is steeped in glittering cultural history.
From the New Romantics to the Teddy Boys, ruffled blouses became the sartorial insignia of multiple subcultures during the 20th century. Inspired by the eclectic fashion style of the new wave music scene, the London-based Blitz Kids adopted the fabulously frothy piece in the Seventies. The English romantic era, Russian constructivism, clowns, puritans and 1930s cabaret served as maximalist sources of inspiration for bands including Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Culture Club who adorned themselves in sheer shirts and feminine designs. Off they’d tunnel to the Covent Garden clubs in their frills and furbelows to escape the economic hardship and anti-fashion punk scene occurring at the time.
The trend wasn’t exclusive to Britain. Across the Atlantic, Prince and Jimi Hendrix were carving up a style storm in an endless array of ruffled shirts, while Stevie Nicks was ethereally floating across the stage in bountiful volumes of sheer chiffon. Joni Mitchell began breaking hearts in ruffles with her raw melodies and The Jackson Five moonwalked into the spotlight with coordinating, Crayola-coloured blouses replete with frothy detailing. The frill thrill was in full swing.
However, ruffled blouses are a product of British excellence. They came about as a result of 16th century soldiers slashing their shirts while returning from war, in order to achieve a rugged, war hero aesthetic. This trope continued across the centuries, with male characters from all corners of literature sporting ruffles in the most sensual way possible. Case and point? Mr Darcy, Edward Rochester and most recently Antony Bridgerton who helped the silhouette to evolve as a gender-fluid piece worn by society’s upper crust.
Of course not forgetting the impact that ruffled blouses had on women’s fashion. Yves Saint Laurent paired tuxedo-style ruffled blouses with suave smoking jackets in the Sixties and Seventies, Coco Chanel had a penchant for a Parisienne frill and Givenchy began his career with his 1952 ‘Bettina Blouse.’ Current It brands such as Blumarine and Acne Studios have moved past this stiffer style, instead favouring airy, whimsical cuts beloved by fashionistas across the globe. From fashion designers to flamenco designs, ruffled blouses can be found in every corner of visual culture.
This kaleidoscopic map of references is a mere slice of the garment’s history, yet it remains more relevant than ever. The dandy style has been embraced most famously by Harry Styles with a helping hand from stylist Harry Lambert, who dressed the star in Gucci galore. Fellow fashion houses sent ruffled pieces down the runway, with brands such as Batsheva, Zimmerman, Simone Rocha and Vivienne Westwood positioning frills as their house style.
Delve into the rich tapestry of the ruffled blouse and discover our edit below.
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& Other Stories Sheer Ruffle Blouse
& Other Stories' Sheer Ruffle Blouse is romance personified. The ruffled blouse features swathes of gothic blooms, wrapped up in a voluminous silhouette to capture attention.
Buy now £120.00, ASOS
Batsheva Lou Ruffled Blouse
Batsheva's lemon-toned blouse pays homage to sweetheart style. Short sleeves, ruffles and a petite black bow culminate in a twee yet elegant piece for frill fanatics.
Buy now £105.00, Net-A-Porter
Doen + NET SUSTAIN Hickory Ruffle Blouse
Embrace cottagecore with Doen's dreamy Hickory Ruffle Blouse. The timeless piece is crafted from certified organic cotton-poplin and features a scalloped Peter Pan collar and cuffs, delicate embroidery and pintuck pleats.
Buy now £260.15, Net-A-Porter
Molly Goddard Belle Shirred Poplin Top
Pack a punch with Molly Goddard's sensationally frothy tulle top. Shirring, red ribbon detailing and cropped sleeves come together in a fabulous coral hue, perfect for dopamine dressers.
Buy now £436.00, Net-A-Porter
Mango Capsule Ruffle Blouse
Pirate panache was on the agenda for Mango's design team when they created this ethereal shirt. Pair with capri pants and mules and you have yourself an It-girl ensemble ready to steal the show.
Buy now £90.00, ASOS
Blugirl Floral-print Ruffled Blouse
Blugirl's ruffled blouse is peppered with blooms aplenty. Traditional red roses sprawl across the highly romantic piece which is made from a light sheer fabric which adds a tinge of sensuality.
Buy now £216.00, Farfetch
Acne Studios Printed Silk Button-up Shirt
Acne Studios' silk shirt has a wispy, ephemeral quality that exudes mystique. Opt for a fully deconstructed look and team with an asymmetrical skirt and boots.
Buy now £490.00, Acne Studios
Arket Frill Blouse
Mirror the style of the 19th-century dandies with a starch shirt to create structure within any look. A gentle, vertical frill partitions the piece, which is a seasonless staple for stylish office days in and coffee mornings out.
Buy now £54.00, Arket
L.K. Bennett Edeline Pink And Red Rosebud Print Silk Top
Slip into a rose-bud adorned top and radiate girlish charm. Royally-approved brand L.K. Bennett offers a host of traditional pieces to serve up English rose excellence.
Buy now £124.00, L.K. Bennett
Batsheva Carol Blouse
Whip up some Victoriana romance with Bathseva's covetable designs in tow. A brand beloved for its ruffled creations, Batsheva merges feminine frills with dramatic colourways to curate glamorously gothic collections.
Buy now £144.00, The Outnet
Sindiso Khumalo x The Vanguard Ruffled Blouse
Sindiso Khumalo x The Vanguard's divinely silky piece is a summer essential. A large collar draws the eye while glimmering peach and cream undertones create a subtle gleam as you walk.
Buy now £147.00, The Outnet
St. Roche Nan Top
Feminine fashion is effortlessly executed by St. Roche. The brand's delightful, blossom pink shirt is a short-sleeved option for layering or wearing as it is. A generous ruffle and a high neckline create a sculptural element to form an impressive focal point.
Buy now £286.00, Wolf & Badger
Shrimps Vincent Ruffle-trimmed Blouse
Thanks to Valentino, red shirts are here to stay. However, Shrimps' cherry red Vincent blouse isn't purely a fleeting trend piece. Shirred detailing coupled with floating sleeves and a wide collar makes it a sophisticated colour bomb piece to wear for fanciful festive occasions.
Buy now £89.00, The Outnet
Iris Thelma Frill Blouse
Iris' Thelma blouse showcases a sweet ditsy print complemented by a dramatic cut. A statement high neckline and ruffled shoulders offer a bold touch for floral lovers wanting to experiment.
Buy now £135.00, Iris
Annie's Ibiza Dahlia Shirt
You will bring the drama when wearing Annie's Ibiza's beautiful lace concoction. The Dahlia Shirt is brimming with frothing lace detail, from the resplendent cuffs to the ruffled scooped neckline. Layer under a black mini dress for a divinely romantic, gothic look to impress all.
Buy now £495.00, Annie's Ibiza
Toast Ruffle Collar Crinkle Twill Shirt
An everyday item for practical wear, Toast's failsafe Crinkle Twill Shirt can be thrown on with jeans and brogues for a polished yet laid-back aesthetic. An ebony hue married with a simple collar and minimal ruffles makes for an easy-wear staple piece.
Buy now £145.00, Toast
