Comments on: I’m all ruffled out

By: skm

skm — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:49:24 +0000

I feel pretty silly looking when I try on ruffled clothing at the stores. Must evoke too many painful memories of the ruffles and taffeta of my childhood:)

I was in Korea a year ago and ruffles were pretty popular then. At the time, I thought it was just “Korean-style” since I didn’t see the Japanese and Chinese women wearing them, but was soon dismayed when I saw the ruffles showing up in stores in the U.S.!

By: sherrykay

sherrykay — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:16:29 +0000

If you look @ http://www.softsurroundings.com they have a lovely black vest, with a silk chiffon ruffle that can be removed (it is buttoned on).

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:53:55 +0000

Love ruffles, but yes, one must tread lightly, lest one look like a pirate!

By: Wanda from Canada

Wanda from Canada — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:12:28 +0000

ugh, YES! Enough with the ruffles, they look silly on me.

By: All Women Stalker

All Women Stalker — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:02:43 +0000

I’m from the Philippines and they are hot here, too. I guess it’s better than the plaid flood that happened before all the ruffles invaded us.

-meream

By: Hänni

Hänni — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:13:59 +0000

I love ruffles … in small doses. i was at Anne Taylor and the sales girl tried to sell me on a ruffled shirt to wear under my ruffled jacket. There’s a point when ruffles go from adorable to Pirate Shirt ala Seinfeld, and this suggestion veered dangerously close.

By: Angie

Angie — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:35:13 +0000

This was interesting. A special thank you to those chiming in from other parts of the world, letting us in on what’s going on in your retail world. I guess it’s not just me who is all ruffled out!

To Kristen’s point, I’d like to reiterate that a season with ruffles is a good thing if it’s not overkill. As long as there is enough variety at store level, all styles are good. That’s why I don’t think that ruffled tops will date. They have always been a fringe fashion statement and hopefully in future they will stay that way.

By: Francesca

Francesca — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:43:09 +0000

I totally agree, Angie and I am so sick of seeing ruffles in stores and on every other person on the street that I could puke. Don’t get me wrong, the women for the most part look good wearing them, but there is such a thing as fashion overexposure and overkill. I find them too fussy & frou-frou to begin with, and I only bought one ruffled item (not because I liked the ruffles but because I loved the color & print).

Are retail buyers & mass-merchandise designers just a bunch of pied-pipers without an original thought? I cannot believe how everyone and their mother is offering up ruffles! Can’t wait for a more edgy look, or a simpler style, but I’m afraid even that is beginning to get over-exposed (as in moto jackets & studs).

By: sabrina

sabrina — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:52:55 +0000

I think ruffles will look very dated in about 2 seasons and then what will we do with all these frilly tops? I, like other posters, have only one top with “modest ruffle detailing” around the collar and the bottom of the sleeves. Very subtle. Bring back elegant, streamlined and classic looks!

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:51:44 +0000

There are some ruffles here in Australia, but also a lot of pleats and interesting tailoring. It doesn’t seem to have gone too overboard here (at least where I live). There are a few tiered skirts here too which are lovely but probably a bit impractical for office-wear but would look lovely wearing out for cocktails etc. I would say they are a trend.
Personally I like them to add interest but I agree I hate it when something becomes so mainstream it becomes boring. I have a small bust so they look OK on me, but don’t wear them much because they can be a bit “fru-fru”. I have some nice sewing patterns so I might try to sew some summer tops to add a bit of femininity and interest to my wardrobe.