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Last year, ruffles were all the rage. With labels such as Realisation Par being on every blogger’s ‘must-have’ list, the fashion world was inundated with tea-dresses with ruffle details, not to mention wrap-dresses with ruffle edging.
The good news is that ruffles haven’t gone away. However, there’s a new contender vying for the style crown, and that’s ruching. Here’s some guidance on how to rock this look.
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Ruching and ruffles – what’s the difference?
Ruching and ruffles may sound similar, but they’re actually pretty different. Ruffles are created by the fabric gently waving in and out (much like a gentle sea-wave, actually), whereas ruching is where the fabric is gathered and pulled together, creating more volume and a series of lines leading to one point.
Photo from Pexels
Isn’t this super unflattering?
Not at all – providing you wear it right! It’s like any form of fashion; if you choose the right garment for your body shape and style it well, it’ll look great. Here’s how:
- Work out what areas you want to accentuate. If you’re proud of your toned waist, look for a top or dress that features ruching above the hip. This will enhance your natural silhouette. Alternatively, if you want to lengthen your body, search for vertical ruching than runs down the body.
- Be subtle. You don’t have to go ‘all out’ with this style. A simple ruched mini-skirt, teamed with a slouchy jumper and trainers, looks effortlessly cool. Alternatively, a cute little ruched cotton vest top is a welcome alternative to your featureless sleeveless top.
- Go glam. Ruching is a look that’s custom-made for eveningwear. If you’re going out for the evening, a slinky ruched figure-hugging dress is the way to go; preferably teamed up with smoky eyes, red-hot lips and a spritz of a classy perfume like Bleu De Chanel.
- Or, go casual! One of the best things about this style is that it can be worn in several different ways. You can team up a ruched baggy shirt with a pair of jeans, for example; or wear a ruched slip-dress with your Doc Martens and a long cardigan. Ruching also works incredibly well in swimsuits, as it nips in the waist.
- Be inspired by the past. Ruching is often very modernist, but it can hark to previous eras too. For example, some of the cutest maxi-dresses have seventies-style ruched layers, which are ideal for lazy summer days. Some eighties-inspired power-suits (complete with wide shoulders) also feature subtle ruching detail.
- Patterned is more flattering. If you’re concerned that ruching won’t flatter your shape, look for a patterned option instead. For example, floral-patterned ruching creates a lot of visual interest, with the flowers complementing the gathered fabric. Polka-dots also work well and are very on-trend at the moment.
Photo from Pexels
Above all else, have fun with it! Fashion is all about experimentation and finding out what works for you personally. Test out different accessories with your ruched garment. For example, a belt adds interest to a dress, and a neck-scarf gives your outfit a hint of Audrey Hepburn cuteness. Have fun!
So what do you think? How are you going to incorporate ruching into your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below and while you are here why not check out more of my fashion-related posts?
