Ruffled Dresses

So you’ve decided that you want a new dress that has ruffles, but you aren’t sure where to begin or where to buy the most flattering cuts. You may be wondering how much care ruffles need to maintain their shape, or how much you can expect to pay for a nice ruffled dress. It could be a simple cotton dress or something fancy in silk. Continue reading and in no time you’ll find the perfect ruffled dress for your next social gathering.

Ruffled Dresses

Fabrics

One of the great things about ruffled dresses is that they can easily be dressed up or down. If your looking for an easy no-iron dress that can be worn to the beach, look for something with a large loose ruffle at the bottom creating a bouncy breezy look. A simple solid colored cotton dress will allow the breeze to come through, and a knee or ankle length dress can serve as the perfect bathing suit cover up. These dresses are normally machine washable, and if hanging up right after the dryer you will not have to worry about ironing. If your looking for something a little dressier look for polyester blends, silk or rayon. Again, a simple dress with ruffles on one or two sleeves, or at a hemline can go from simple to dazzling adding a few accessories and the right pair of shoes. Ruffles can allow the fabric to move easily with you, especially when placed at a hemline making that dress perfect for any occasion.

Silk Dresses

Ruffles for all body types

Another thing to consider when looking for your perfect ruffled dress is where the ruffles are placed. Ruffles add bulk, so you want to be careful not to buy something with too much if you are trying to avoid making that part of your body look bigger. Big ruffles on shoulders for example can make already broad shoulders look even bigger. Light ruffling can help to hide a problem area in your stomach, however, getting something that has lots of bulky ruffles can make your stomach look bigger than you may intend. Ruffles on the back of a dress can add a little extra to help provide that Jennifer Lopez bottom you may covet, but if you are already amply built in that area it may cause an unwanted effected of an even larger bottom. Ruffles definitely add a since of femininity and flirtatiousness to any outfit when done correctly. Men love the look of them, and women can feel glamorous and comfortable at the same time. A little can definitely go a long way, and a little bit of ruffle detail on a collar or sleeve can make a simple dress a glamorous one. Asymmetrical styles containing ruffles cut on a bias seem to flatter a variety of figures, or you can get a simple sundress with some simple light ruffled sleeve to wear to the beach and then out to dinner that evening. The versatility of ruffled dress is incredible depending on the shoes and jewelry that are paired with it. Look for styles that normally flatter your body type (A-line, dropped waist, high waist, etc.) and then look for ruffling details on that type of style. Any dress completely covered in ruffles is a bold move, and should be considered carefully to avoid you looking like a bird that may fly away!

Ruffled-Sleeve Dresses

Care of ruffled dresses

When buying a dress with ruffles, you want to consider if you are comfortable with the possibility of a lot of ironing. Many styles, especially those from cheaper stores, tend to look great on the hanger. Unfortunately, after one wash, you may never be able to wear them again without hours of ironing. Ironing ruffles can be frustrating and time consuming, as it is difficult to put the original bounce and freedom back into them. Something with a lot of thin ruffles made from cotton or a thin polyester blend may prove to be more trouble than it is worth, unless you own a decent steam cleaner, or are willing to pay for dry cleaning each time you wear it. It can be extremely difficult to iron a dress with a lot of ruffles without adding unwanted creasing or lines. One should avoid buying ruffled dresses from discount stores, because they often do not hang well after the first wash. Looking at higher-end stores like White House Black Market or Banana Republic will normally have a sturdier, more high-end material, that keeps your wrinkles looking fresh wash after wash. Expect to pay around $80 to $250, but if you take care of them and hand wash, you’ll get a lifetime of wear from them. You can easily get something cheaper as discount stores carry trendy lines for $35 and under, but consider how long you’ll want the dress to last as often times you get what you pay for. Something with a heavier ruffle will not wrinkle as easily, but when it does it will also be more work getting them out. To keep your items always looking their best, avoid leaving your item wrinkled for any periods of time. Immediately hanging up after a medium heat cycle in the dryer, can help eliminate the need for ironing difficult ruffling.

Classic Ruffled Dresses

When to choose ruffles

One can never go wrong when looking for a dress with a little bit of ruffle. A few things to think about are the pattern that goes along with them. A busy pattern along with a lot of ruffling can be too much creating a confused look. When used correctly, ruffles can fancy an otherwise simple dress creating a classic, classy look. Keep the jewelry simple when there are ruffles at a neckline or sleeve to also avoid overdoing it, but feel free to add an amazing unique piece of jewelry to accent a simple dress that simple has a ruffled hemline. You are now fully prepped to make an informed and confident decision when picking out that perfect ruffled dress!