What it is
Voluminous skirts were a big trend in the autumn/winter 2024 collections, but nothing was as bold as those with ruffles at the hem. The style was formulated through various techniques, whether extreme layering or intricate gathering, all culminating in billowing shapes that magnified the lower half of the dress in question. These were most often seen in teardrop hem dresses or billowed babydoll silhouettes. And yet, while styles varied drastically, a ruffled hem continued to define many dresses on this season’s runway collections.
Why you want it
As eveningwear continues to make its triumphant comeback, consumers will be looking for a statement piece to wear to the many occasions on their calendars. Therefore, the wide variety of dresses with ruffles offers them an extensive choice depending on personal taste. Some of these silhouettes also reflect a broader trend favored by Gen Z for teardrop-waisted garments, many of which have found their way into the ever-changing trends on social media and as such have important, enduring relevance among younger consumers.
Where we saw it
On the catwalk, the ruffled dress came in many forms for autumn/winter 2024. At Marques’Almeida, for example, it appeared as a wide-cut midi with a drop waist in a bright pink shade. This was in stark contrast to Tory Burch’s mini dress, whose skirt took its shape in multiple layers that gathered over each other before ending in a ruffled hem. At Annie’s Ibiza, the hems had a more intricate technique, while falling into an asymmetrical shape that flowed from a fitted bustier. Molly Goddard took ruffles to a whole new level in a wide-cut skirt with detailed texture from the waist down, an exaggerated silhouette balanced by similarly textured shoulders.
How to style
Dresses with ruffles along the hem are the perfect occasion dresses that are a statement in themselves for the wearer. However, there are options to dress up the garment even more and elevate the style to bring an outfit together. For example, with a longer dress with a drop hem, chunky earrings and close-fitting calf-length boots are two accessories that effortlessly complete the look. Add a small, minimalist handbag and let the dress speak for itself. A similar idea can be executed for shorter hems with ruffles, but by adding loafers and tights the dress can be worn in daywear for even more wardrobe options.
The ruffled hem dress is a fun evolution of the loose hem look, adding volume and alternative silhouettes to the eveningwear wardrobe for those who dare.
