Why we’re all looking for a frill this spring
FRIllS and ruffles — traditionally the stuff of silly lampshades, pantomime dames’ bloomers and chintzy window coverings — are popping up on all of spring’s most desirable accessories.
I had thought myself fairly immune to the trend until I attended Mulberry’s show a few weeks back. The collection featured fabulous, midi-length frilly skirts in macaroon shades (ruffled but wearable) and black frilly mules. Even the leather trainers were smocked and frilly.
It was while at Mulberry that I spotted a small Amberley satchel with a pie- crust ruffled trim and fell hopelessly in love. There was one in a rich ochre yellow, and another in red — both equally desirable.
Yes, a frilly bag doesn’t sound the most sensible option, but there was something about it I couldn’t ignore.
Changing handbags is not something I do lightly. My unswerving loyalty for the past few months has been to my Mulberry chestnut saddle bag (unashamedly unruffled).
It works with all my day looks, and is capacious enough for all the gubbins that lets me function.
Despite this, I still felt I might be ready to convert to my Mulberry’s ruffled cousin.
BUTthis isn’t the first time I’ve had my head turned by a frill. I have a Valentino x Gap parka in my wardrobe from a few years ago, in stiff military khaki with sculptural ruffles on each shoulder. I still catch people glancing at it enviously whenever I wear it.
Designers have long been interested in playing with the ruffle’s exaggerated femininity, so it’s no surprise that this trend has been embraced by the High Street with gusto.
The satin-frilled mules at & Other Stories (£ 44.50,
stories.com) will give a modern kick to a going-out outfit.
I also love Australian footwear brand Senso’s suede ankle boots with their diagonal ruffled flourish in a delicious raspberry (£74, atterley.com).
And when it comes to frilly bags, Maje has a fantastic ruffle-edged red number (£260,
maje.com) that will give party outfits a punch and look great year-round with dark denim.
Meanwhile, young UK designers such as Molly Goddard and Simone Rocha have a cool, non-saccharine way with ruffles. British design label Preen almost always features frills in its collections, which somehow look sharp and non-girly, too.
For a little boost of Preen without breaking the bank, its Studio by Preen at Debenhams jade green sweater with a ruffled rollneck is perfect (£45, debenhams.com).
Of course, there are some seriously grand, ruffled gowns in the designer collections, from the full-on flounciness of Giambattista Valli, to the intricate waterfalls of lace at Ralph & Russo . . . very, ahem, royal princess.
So how do you incorporate frills without looking like someone who went to a costume party as a Victorian dolly?
To keep your look modern, it’s all about contrasts: accessorising a sleek suit with a flirty, frilly Zara mule (£69.99,
zara.com), for instance. And if you are going to wear a stand-out ruffled piece — say a flamenco skirt — temper the drama with a clean-lined ankle boot or kitten-heeled mule.
Do be careful with accessories. It only takes a pair of big hoop earrings to tip you over from fashion-forward to fortune teller. Follow the less-ismore rule, however, and a little frill might be exactly what your wardrobe needs.
Take it from me, these things can be love at first sight. And speaking of love affairs, as ruffle mania intensifies, I have a bit of a theory about Meghan Markle’s wedding dress . . .