Ruffles catch the wind, catch on car doors, and catch every bit of spilled sauce at a table before anything else does. Worth knowing before you buy. They are also one of the few details that can make a plain dress look like someone made an effort, without you actually doing much at all.
Keep the rest of the outfit quiet. A ruffle dress with a busy print, a chunky statement necklace, or shoes with their own hardware and buckles starts to look like an argument rather than an outfit. Plain sandals, a simple bag, small earrings, that's it. The dress is already doing the talking, and a cheap ruffle in particular needs the calm around it, because the ruffle itself can look a bit flat and papery if the fabric's thin, and then it's competing with everything else for attention it can't win. A good one, cut with a bit of weight and movement in the fabric, holds its shape and doesn't need the rescue.
On fit, the main thing to watch is where the ruffle sits on your body, not just the dress size. A tiered ruffle skirt can add visual width exactly where you don't want it if the tiers start too high on the hip, so check where the first layer falls before you commit. Ruffle sleeves are the other trap, they look lovely standing still and can swing into a glass of wine or catch on a door handle the second you're actually moving, so if you're wearing it somewhere with a lot of standing and mingling, go for a dress with the ruffle lower down, on the hem or the neckline, rather than the arms. Go up a size if you're between, because a ruffle that's stretched tight loses its bounce and just looks like fabric trying to escape. The cheap version usually gives itself away in the finish, a ruffle edge that's been cut and left raw rather than properly hemmed, which fluffs and frays after one wash. A better made one keeps its edge and its shape wash after wash, and that's really the whole difference in price justified in one detail.
It's the wrong choice for anything that needs you moving fast, lifting things, or sitting at a desk all day, ruffles and office chairs do not get on, and for very formal occasions where the fussiness can read as try hard rather than polished.
Best suited to someone wanting a dress that does the dressing up for her, for an afternoon or evening where standing around looking good is most of the job.
Yellow DressesYellow Ruffle Floral Dresses That Always Get Compliments
White DressesWhite Ruffle Denim Dresses We’d Happily Wear on Repeat
White DressesWhite Ruffle Evening Dresses That Tick Every Box
White DressesWhite Ruffle Floral Dresses Worth a Closer Look
White DressesThe White Ruffle Lace Dresses Worth Your Wardrobe Space
White DressesWhite Ruffle Maxi Dresses for Every Occasion on Your Calendar
White DressesThe White Ruffle Midi Dresses We’re Eyeing Up This Season
White DressesWhite Ruffle Mini Dresses That Make Getting Dressed Easy
White DressesThe White Ruffle Summer Dresses Worth Your Wardrobe SpaceAlso worth a lookMidi DressesI used to think midi dresses were what you wore when you'd given up on deciding whether to…See the collections →
Tiered DressesWhite Ruffle Tiered Dresses We’d Recommend to a Friend
Wedding Guest DressesEffortless White Ruffle Wedding Guest Dresses We Love
Sequin DressesShop Our Favourite Sequin Ruffle Maxi Dresses
Satin DressesOur Shortlist of Satin Ruffle Floral Dresses
Satin DressesThe Only Satin Ruffle Midi Dresses You Need to See
Party DressesSatin Ruffle Party Dresses for Every Occasion on Your Calendar
Wedding Guest DressesEffortless Ruffle Midi Wedding Guest Dresses We Love
Slip DressesRuffle Slip Dresses That Earn Their Place
A Line DressesRuffle Mini A Line Dresses: Our Top PicksAlso worth a lookMaxi DressesA maxi dress is only as good as its hem, because that is the part that catches wind,…See the collections →
Summer DressesRuffle Summer Dresses That Earn Their Place
Satin DressesRuffle Maxi Satin Dresses: Our Top Picks
Mini DressesThe Best Looking Ruffle Mini Dresses Out There
Wedding Guest DressesRuffle Maxi Wedding Guest Dresses for the Big Day
Evening DressesRuffle Mini Evening Dresses You’ll Want to Live In
A Line DressesOur Pick of the Best Ruffle Midi A Line Dresses
Fit and Flare DressesThe Ruffle Mini Fit and Flare Dresses We’d Wear Anywhere
Bardot DressesThe Ruffle Midi Bardot Dresses Worth Planning an Outfit Around
Floral DressesThe Ruffle Mini Floral Dresses ShortlistAlso worth a lookMini DressesThe thing nobody mentions about a mini dress is what happens to the hem after the third wash and the fifth wear.See the collections →
Bodycon DressesRuffle Midi Bodycon Dresses: The Edit
Long Sleeve DressesRuffle Mini Long Sleeve Dresses With Real Wardrobe Staying Power
Cocktail DressesRuffle Midi Cocktail Dresses: The Ones Worth Your Money
Slip DressesA Closer Look at the Best Ruffle Mini Slip Dresses
Midi DressesRuffle Midi Dresses You’ll Reach for First
Summer DressesRuffle Mini Summer Dresses That Feel Special
Jersey DressesRuffle Midi Jersey Dresses Worth a Closer Look
One Shoulder DressesRuffle One Shoulder Dresses: Our Top Picks
