Frill seekers: How to wear SS18’s ruffle trend

Friday 08 June 2018 17:20 BST

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From crinoline toilet roll covers to Flamenco dancers and ’80s throwback bridesmaid dresses, ruffles have received a pretty bad rep over the years.

But this season such flounces were given a seriously modern makeover.

It’s true that most women ditch frilly party frocks well before their teenage years.

However, if the world’s designers are right, flirty hems and new romantic ripples are perhaps how we should embrace our girly sides for spring/summer.

At Preen, a forcefully feminine collection saw them spiral from dusty pastel gowns to organza dresses finished with tiers of showgirl-like ruffles.

Similarly, at Simone Rocha the designer’s subversive approach to femininity came in the form of frills that collapsed to the floor, while Erdem’s take centred on a period narrative with courtly waterfall ruffles inspired by Queen Elizabeth II.

Poplin Ruffle Mini Wrap Dress, £30, Topshop

There was a more graceful, romantic offer from Valentino where ruffles were structured over mini dresses and the shoulders of powder pink floor-length gowns.

It’s clear that frou-frou frills aren’t going anywhere this season, but if you’re not a particularly feminine dresser don’t let that put you off. You see, this season there’s a perfect ruffle for everyone.

Ted Baker, Rammira Leather Shoulder Bag, £170, John Lewis

The beauty of ruffles is that they can adorn pretty much every item you can think of, so if dresses aren’t your thing nod to the trend with sandals, a frilled bag or even a flourish on some swimwear.

While it’s also inevitable that you’ll end up shaking your ruffles on the dance floor, one of our favourite ways to wear them by day is with a tiered midi skirt, tucked in grey marl T-shirt and white trainers.