
It’s time for our May Stylish Monday collaboration, featuring this month’s theme – romantic ruffles! Ruffles and tiers are trending quite hot this spring, but I must admit, I’m not a huge fan of all the ruffles and tiers. I’m gradually dipping my toes in the water, trying on styles that look best on my pear-shaped body, and being careful not to go with anything that adds too much bulk where I don’t need it. Read on to see how my Stylish Monday sisters styled their ruffles, and to get a few tips for styling your romantic ruffled outfits too!
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How to Style Ruffles – My Tips for Pear-Shapes
- Avoid garments that place the ruffled details or seams at the widest part of your body.
- Look for longer sections of tiered detail if you’re shopping for a new tiered dress. The shorter tiered sections will add more fabric and more bulk, the longer tiers will hang softer and lengthen out as opposed to widening out the look of the dress.
- Try tops with ruffled detail at the sleeves or neckline. It’s actually quite pretty and very romantic and ladylike! Bridgerton, anyone?
My (Barely) Ruffled Blouse

As I said, I’m not a huge ruffle girl, so I had to think outside of the box a bit for this month’s theme. This adorable floral top has a bit of ruffle detail on the hem of the sleeve, and quite frankly, that’s enough for me! I’m all about the floral print anyway! I styled the top with white bootcut jeans from Democracy. I’m straight up in love with these jeans! They fit like an absolute dream and are perfect for my pear shape! You need these jeans in your life, no matter your body type y’all. They’re ah-mazing!
May Stylish Monday – Romantic Ruffles
I’m excited to introduce two new members to our Stylish Monday sisterhood!
- First up – Lucy Bertoldi. Lucy loves all fashion that is vintage and eclectic, with a mix of new and thrifted. She’s a professor of fashion and styling courses, at a college in downtown Montreal. Lucy is also a part-time personal stylist and fragrance specialist for Chanel. On her blog, she writes to inspire midlife women to live their best life, one fashionable step at a time. Lucy’s motto: Dopamine Styling: Because dressing should feel good! Lucy is married to her high school sweetheart, together they have 5 adult children, 2 baby grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way! She’s also mom to her goldendoodle, Charlie. I love Lucy’s eclectic, cosmopolitan style!
- And also introducing Brigitte Foret: She’s always wearing her Sunday’s best, except during the pandemic. She recently upped her casual fashion game too! She loves pearls. (kindred spirits here!) Fashion, entertaining, and gardening are her passions. She loves designing fashions and was inspired early on by her grandmother who did most of the sewing for the family. I adore her stepped-up sense of style. She’s so chic!
Lucy – Lucy Bertoldi.com – “Ruffles are fashion’s way of telling you not to take styling too seriously- lighten up! loving this ruffle theme- so freeing (and it also helps that this blouse is in my very favorite Spring color)!” Brigitte – Brigitte Marie Foret Blog & @brigittemarieforet on Instagram – “I love incorporating ruffles into my everyday looks, because they add a subtle femininity to any outfit. Ruffles possess the ability to transform any basic garment into an elevated statement piece. Whether worn during the week, or for a special occasion, ruffles are definitely an element of clothing that I enjoy wearing.”
Suzanne – Ask Suzanne Bell – “Flirty and fun, ruffles add a touch of femininity to any outfit, which is something I’m looking for these days. Whether it’s an extra flounce on a dress or skirt or a big ruffle on top, give it a try and enjoy a little extra spring in your step all day long!” Julie – Fashion Trends and Friends and Instagram FashionTandF – “Ruffles add details and interest! I’m all about them both big and small. They make an impact and elevate an outfit!”
Nancy – Nancy’s Fashion Style – “This is my beloved ruffle blouse. It’s an old one and I don’t wear it often, but those ruffles are so perfect for me. And I love the color combination and the kind of preppy look, but the punky feel that the blouse gives me. I need a black one too, of course. But this one, although it’s not my favorite color, has the perfect ruffles. The only thing that I need from a black blouse is ruffles at the cuffs! So if you happen to see one, give me a sign!” Amy – Amy’s Creative Pursuits – “I always like it when clothing items have a little extra detail added to them. The ruffle on the bottom of this chambray skirt is flirty and fun! It wouldn’t be as interesting if it was just a typical A-line skirt.”
Nicole – High Latitude Style – “I am not a ruffle person. Thus, this dress is just a tryout of the current trend. The plan was to cut the ruffle off if I wouldn’t like it. I am still undecided whether to cut or not to cut it off. What do you think?” Shelbee – Shelbee on the Edge – “I don’t have a lot of ruffled things in my wardrobe, but I do love the dramatic flounce that can often be found in kimono styles. Big flared bell sleeves and a wide flounce at the bottom of a mixed pattern kimono paired with a denim mermaid skirt seemed to fit the theme this month.”
Ada – Elegance and Mommyhood – “This lovely yellow dress has been in my closet for over a decade (it’s by Express). I wore it to our Florida vacation last year. Since the “challenge” was all about ruffles and flounce I decided to go full steam with this fully-ruffled dress. It reminds me a little bit of the 20s from a century ago.” Emma – The Style Splash – Emma is styling a brightly colored red ruffled blouse that coordinates perfectly with that gorgeous red handbag! I love Emma’s take on this theme, don’t you?
I think the ladies interpreted this month’s theme so well! You may enjoy a few of our previous Stylish Monday posts as well.
- March Stylish Monday – A Pop of Color
- February Stylish Monday – Date Night at Home
And now I’m ready to be inspired by you! Join our link-up party and show us what YOU’RE styling today!
Thanks for stopping by!
This is such a pretty outfit. I love that top, and those jeans. I’m not a pear shape at all, but I’m gonna check them out!
What a cheerful top! It’s fun to wear ruffles isn’t it!
Andy, what a pretty spring outfit! And I love the little ruffle detail, too. It is perfectly subtle and how I prefer ruffles, too! I am not super into ruffly things but I think maybe because I just don’t have a lot of it. I think the feminine romantic ruffles are growing fast on me after this post!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
The ladies did such a fantastic job with this months theme. I was on the struggle bus, so thank you for your sweet comments.
Ruffles do come in all shapes and forms. Going to have to visit more of the ladies!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Your tips on incorporating ruffles into an outfit are great and show a lot of consideration for how to work with a trend that may not suit your own personal tastes. The top you’re wearing is very nice and the ruffles at the hem add a feminine touch without being too much. Well done!
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Great insight into styling ruffles! Your floral top is beautiful, and I love it paired with those white bootcut jeans!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I’m seriously in love with these jeans. 😍
Thanks! Appreciate your comments!
These are great tips. I agree that ruffles can add extra unwanted fluff if placement is wrong. You styled your look so beautifully though and as subtle as the ruffles are on your blouse, I adore how it takes your outfit up a notch. Love the pretty colors so bright and eye catching!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Thank you Maureen. Have a happy day!
Loving the subdued ruffle look here- you look great! Thanks so much again for including me in this amazing group- I’m so happy!! xx
Welcome aboard! We’re so happy to have you!
I think that blouse is beautiful, too many ruffles on it would have not been a great idea. Love the crisp way you styled it. GREAT INTRO TO LUCY & BRIGETTE, TOO.
Welcome by and check out my post, featuring my mini me in ruffles, too.
https://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2021/05/mommyme-yellow-ruffled-sundresses-in.html