The nouveau wave
In what's spring's breaking trend, ruffles are seeing a resurgence. Here's how to dip your toe in the trend.
This trend is far from being for clowns or a sure hit at children’s birthday parties. With Spanish and Caribbean influences of the frill taking over fashion this season, it’s no surprise that ruffles are everywhere.
No longer just floppy furls, the new versions come with updates – the waves stiffer and more severe, albeit playful and feminine.
“Ruffles are a clear winner at the spring/summer 2017 fashion weeks across the globe. I think, this style inspired from Victorian elegance, brings about romanticism and makes for perfect date night attire,” chips in Bhavya Garg, a city-based fashion blogger and stylist at Bare Berry Blush.
From silky satin pumps and swimwear to wedding gowns and clutches, these fun frills now seem like the new alternative to romantic lace. “The ruffles were born with the over sized looks being back on the scene. The best part about it is that people who are very conscious about their bodies can now flaunt it because one style truly fits all,” adds Bengaluru designer Shloka Sudhakar who is even using them on blouses and lehengas this season.
You could go all out flounce like Naomi Watts, give your ruffles a sexy spin ala Selena Gomez in a plunging Giambattista Valli number or keep it from looking too saccharine by expertly uniting tailored pants with a floral-embroidered ruffled Osman dress, like Emma Watson – the possibilities? Endless.
If you are only dipping your toe in the trend, consider a yoke blouse or a ruffle trim shirt with your faithful boyfriend jeans. “Opt for multi layered ruffled shirts or dresses to give you a dramatic effect for an evening out, and single layered ruffled shirts during the day. Big, small, bright or pastel, framing your face or your waistline, think ruffles and frills this season. If there’s a ruffle piece you must invest in, pick a shirt, with ruffles around mid-waist, to give an illusion of a smaller waistline,” suggests Bhavya.
Since it adds drama to any outfit, Bengaluru blogger Deepali Kini says, “Maintain balance overall. For instance, if you’re wearing ruffled bell bottoms which are in right now, keep the top simple and vice versa.”
Ruffles also act as their own accessory, so keep away from your jewellery. This season, with ruffles snaking around your neck and cascading down your shoulder, remember to pull your hair back in a sleek style and pair the drama with sleek pumps or sandals in a complementary hue.