Wondering how to wear ruffles? One of the biggest summer trends, don't feel intimidated by this fuller fabric style. Instantly injecting joy and femininity into your summer wardrobe, ruffles can be worn everywhere, from weddings to dinner dates. Quickly becoming a wardrobe staple, you will want to rock a ruffle for every occasion.
Elevating a simple outfit in seconds, a strategically placed ruffle can accentuate your figure while creating gorgeous movement as you strut your stuff. Ruffles give a romantic but elegant look that is just as perfect for every day as it is for those all-important occasions on the calendar.
Although ruffles are timeless, they are making a big comeback this year as one of the biggest fashion trends of 2023. Think romance, flamboyancy, and femininity. Ruffles were seen all over the Spring/Summer 2023 runways from Issey Miyake to Bora Aksu and Saint Laurent. A trend that can feel quite 'cutesy,' if you're wondering how to wear ruffles with a grown-up feel, we've got five ways to style ruffles for every occasion.
How to wear ruffles for every occasion
One of the hottest summer fashion trends, learn how to wear ruffles and your occasionwear and casual looks will be sorted for the season ahead. From ruffles great and small we have all the styling tips you need to wear this look with confidence this season.
1. How to wear a ruffled shirt
A ruffled shirt is one of the simplest ways to add glamour to any outfit, with minimal effort and maximum style. Opting for a ruffle shirt brings all the attention up top and can create the illusion of a fuller bust or broader shoulders. To get this look, opt for horizontal or draped ruffles around the collar or chest to accentuate the bust area.
A ruffled bust detail needs balance, so pair a ruffled shirt with chic slim-fit pants. Add an open-toe heel, and your ruffle shirt will take you through the summer and into the fall months too. For an afternoon Spritz, style with your favorite jeans for a daytime appeal.
Wondering how to wear ruffles to detract attention away from your top half and elongate your silhouette? It's easy, create the illusion of a smaller top half with vertical ruffles, which will elongate instead.
To maximize or create an hourglass silhouette, try using ruffles as a tool to wear with wide leg pants. A tucked-in shirt with a ruffled collar, or a vertical ruffle down the center front adds width to your top half, narrowing at the waist, before a fuller wide leg pant, giving you a curvaceous silhouette.
RRP: $285 / £168 | High-waisted pants emphasize the waistline and complement the eye-catching ruffle shirt. The pale pink taps into one of the biggest fashion color trends of the year. Plus, the slightly flared bottom will continue to elongate and lengthen the silhouette.
RRP: $209 / £129 | Simple yet elegant, this ruffle shirt is universally flattering and pairs beautifully with pink or cream. The long layered ruffle along the collar adds flair and femininity and will look just as good with your best jeans as it will tucked into a skirt.
RRP: $198 / £140 | Ruffles can be light and airy, which often needs to be balanced with some structure; these cut-out heels do just that. The three-and-a-half-inch heel is ideal if you find, like us, that wide-leg pants tend to come up long.
2. How to wear a ruffled dress
A ruffled dress is one of the best cocktail dresses for every occasion as it adds a little dose of drama to any look. The key to rocking a dress with ruffles is to let the ruffle be the center of attention and frame the rest of your outfit around letting it shine. The extra material from the ruffle already gives bounce and body, so keeping accessories pretty simple is usually your best bet. If undecided on what to wear to a wedding, then a ruffled dress will answer your sartorial dilemma. Think about the placement of the ruffle as it will help to create a different effect, depending on where it sits on the body.
A ruffle at the shoulder can help to add height to your frame, while an all-over ruffle will add curves to your silhouette. Looking for something a little more subtle? A little frill on the hem gives a nod to the trend, without going overboard. One of the best wedding guest dresses, it will make it seem as though you have put in way more effort than you really have.
RRP: $540 / £299 | This dress puts the romance into ruffles and is the occasion dress of dreams. The ruffle sleeves frame the face, while the longline ruffles create movement for unmatched elegance.
RRP: $350 / £225 | Made from 18ct Gold Vermeil, these chain earrings are an investment piece for all your upcoming occasions, as well as being the perfect match for how to wear a ruffled dress.
RRP: $62.30 / £53.13 | You can't really go wrong with red and gold, so stick with the bold glamour theme and pair the ruffle dress with all gold accessories. With a four-inch stiletto heel and crisscross straps, it comes in four other colorways too.
3. How to wear a ruffled skirt
Wondering how to wear a ruffled skirt? This statement piece is sure to command attention, so as with a ruffled dress, let it shine. Frills or ruffles around the hips will add fullness across hips, thighs, and bottoms, to create a balance and highlight your silhouette, make sure to have a fitted waistband and tuck in your top or blouse, as this will stop your figure from becoming overwhelmed by fabric.
A ruffled hemline will have the opposite effect as this will draw the eye down, away from the middle of your torso. However, as it is still creating fullness at the bottom of your outfit, keep your top half crisp and simple.
The waterfall ruffle was seen all over the runway and is best styled with a simple top that cuts at the waist. Heading from top to bottom it's an instant figure lengthening and a fuller ruffle towards the bottom of the skirt adds a dose of drama.
As a general rule, keep any top you wear with a ruffled skirt relatively simple and always tucked for that waistline. Layered ruffles around the hem give movement that's ideal on the dancefloor.
In cotton or denim, this is an ideal look for every day to add femininity to your summer outfits for work, if you're opting for more luxe fabrications such as silk or satin, ruffled skirts are ideal for wedding guest separates.
RRP: $75 / £50 | A satin halterneck top is the ideal styling partner for any occasion and is only elevated with a ruffle skirt. This top goes down to the hip, so can be worn more casually styled with straight leg jeans too. How to wear a ruffle skirt with this top? Make sure it is tucked into the skirt to emphasize your waist and let the ruffles do all the work.
RRP: $178 / £165 | Fitted around the waist and bottom, the ruched side and waterfall ruffle create shape and movement the ruffles really excel with. The floral print adds to the romantic, feminine look, which is simply gorgeous making this skirt a timeless buy. The asymmetry will help to elongate your frame.
RRP: $240 / £148 | These mid-height heels will be a staple in any capsule wardrobe. The white colorway gives them an instantly summer feel, while the sling-back strap taps into this season's shoe trends. The slim heel adds an elegance and balances the fullness of the ruffled skirt to perfection.
4. How to wear a ruffled top
By now you should be seeing a familiar pattern with our advice on how to wear ruffles. Balance is key, and wherever you create fullness, you should juxtapose it with something more fitted to avoid your frame getting lost. The same principles apply for a ruffled shirt as they do for a ruffled top when it comes to horizontal and vertical ruffles. If you're going ruffle heavy on the top, make sure to nip yourself in at the waist - the best high-waisted jeans are great for this. All-over ruffle tops should be paired with simple pants or a skirt, preferably figure hugging so as to not lose shape, and to let the ruffle pop.
RRP: $179 / £95 | Tap into this season's Barbiecore style trend with this gorgeous top. The cutout shoulder detail is ideal for the summer, while the higher neckline helps to elongate your frame. Ruffling over the bust line, if you're looking to create the illusion of a fuller bust, then this top has all the styling tricks you need.
RRP: $119 / £110 | Made from 100% bovine leather this silver crossbody bag makes the perfect occasionwear arm candy. We love the smart chain strap that you can wear on the shoulder, or tuck into the bag to create a clutch. The metallic hue ensures that this bag can be worn right through the year.
RRP: $76 / £45 | Satin skirts are just as popular as ruffles right now, so much so this skirt keeps on selling out, so snap it up whilst you can. Flaring at the hem, when paired with a ruffle top, this skirt helps to create the most elegant silhouette that will work for everything from weddings to birthday outfit ideas.
5. How to wear a ruffled jumpsuit
We love a flattering jumpsuit for its all-in-one outfit ease, but a ruffled jumpsuit adds that extra je ne sais quoi our summer outfits are craving. A great alternative to dresses, a jumpsuit offers the same elegance, but with the added benefit of the comfort of pants and no need for anti-chafing shorts on busy summer days.
To add extra polish for the evening, pair your ruffled jumpsuit with your best blazer and heels. Too warm for a blazer? Elevate your ruffled jumpsuit will well-thought-through accessories. Chunky gold or silver jewelry is great right now, taping into this season's jewelry trends. If you have a high neckline, opt for smaller earrings, or go for a bold cocktail ring and cuff to up the glamour.
RRP: $329 / £199 | Drawing the eye up your silhouette, this fully ruffled bodice is ideal for adding fullness to a bust line. The cinched-in waist, and slightly flared leg will add balance to your frame, while the cream hue makes this a brilliant alternative to classic rehearsal dinner dresses, or ideal for a bridal shower outfit. Dress it up even more with gold accessories and heels.
RRP: $89 / £65 | A gold-tone oversized cuff will bring some shine to bare arms and will be particularly fabulous in a summer capsule wardrobe for complementing a seasonal glow. The asymmetrical shape mimics the flow of the ruffle which will subtly show off your styling skills. A classic piece, this can be kept and worn for years to come.
RRP: $69 / £55 | Chunky jewelry is big news this season, and when it comes to getting party-ready, more is more here. 24ct gold plated and dome-shaped this statement cocktail ring is one you can slip on regardless of season, making it an excellent piece of investment jewelry, elevating the look nearly as much as a ruffle. Perfect for evoking this season's Stealth Wealth trend too.
Are ruffles in style for 2023?
Ruffles are very much in fashion for 2023. Head into any bricks and mortar store, or click on your favorite dotcom and you'll find at least one ruffled piece in this season's collections. This is in part because ruffles are always popular for summer outfit ideas as they feel floaty and romantic and as this season is dominated by occasionwear, ruffles are a high commodity.
But it isn't just their seasonality that has put how to wear ruffles on the fashion agenda. This statement look was championed by designers across the major fashion cities creating frothy and feminine silhouettes at the likes of British design brand Molly Goddard and American fashion brand Christian Siriano. Expect to see ruffles on everything from dresses to your shoes. So whether you want to go head-to-toe ruffle, a ruffle on the shoulder, or a ruffle heel, your wardrobe shouldn't be without one.
Am I too old to wear ruffles?
In short, no. You can rock a ruffle at 60 as much as you can at 16. But this season the ruffle trend is more about upping the sophistication level to keep it more on the glamorous side. The most important thing to remember whether you're building an over 50s capsule wardrobe, or younger is to think about the fabric balance throughout your ensemble. If you're creating fullness on one part of your silhouette, wear something more fitted with it to stop there being too much fabric.
How do you style ruffled tops?
A ruffled top brings a feminine and flamboyant touch to almost any outfit, and how to style a ruffled top depends on the occasion. A plain block color will always make a statement, but don't be afraid of a pattern. Both look fab with a pair of high-waisted neutral pants. As we saw above, a ruffled top looks best with these high-waisted styles, as it helps to nip you in and stop any ruffles from taking over your shape, not a fan of pants? opt for a midi skirt instead. For the summer months, style with a pair of tailored shorts and add colorful accessories.
A ruffled top works well with heels, as again, the added height helps to lengthen and create harmony with excess fabric. But if standing in heels all day is the last thing you want to do, then dressy flats with wide-leg pants will work perfectly.
What pants to wear with ruffled tops?
A ruffled top brings all the attention up top and really draws attention to your upper torso. Balance your silhouette with wide or straight-leg pants, this will also create a nipped-in waist. For a directional feel, try a pencil skirt and a ruffled top for the office.
A straight or wide-leg pant is pretty much always a winner with a ruffled top, and if they are slightly higher-waisted, then even better. As the smallest part of you, a nipped-in waist paired with ruffles either above or below the waist line will automatically create a more hourglass shape.
When it comes to how to style jeans with added polish, pair your favorite jeans with a ruffled top for a smarter finish.
