Ruffles aren’t new. They had their first big moment in the late 2000s and mid-2010s, when the wardrobes of Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf and One Tree Hill’s Brooke Davis were practically built around sheer blouses, lace trims and flouncy silhouettes. Two decades later, those romantic details are back in the fashion conversation — only this time, they’re being styled with considerably less fuss.
From sheer ruffle tops to voluminous sleeves and cascading tiers, the detail is making its way back into celebrity wardrobes, bringing with it a familiar dose of femininity, movement and nostalgia. But unlike its previous iterations, the 2026 version doesn’t demand a head-to-toe romantic look.
Ruffle tops in 2026
Fashion stylist Tejaswi Lal says the current revival works because celebrities and fashion enthusiasts are making the traditionally feminine detail feel more relaxed. She says, “Ruffles and sheer tops add movement and femininity without elaborating much. It shows romanticism. Celebrities are returning to old trends, but with better styling. What makes the current ruffle revival interesting is that Indian celebrities are taking a traditionally romantic detail and making it feel much more effortless.”
{{/usCountry}}Fashion stylist Tejaswi Lal says the current revival works because celebrities and fashion enthusiasts are making the traditionally feminine detail feel more relaxed. She says, “Ruffles and sheer tops add movement and femininity without elaborating much. It shows romanticism. Celebrities are returning to old trends, but with better styling. What makes the current ruffle revival interesting is that Indian celebrities are taking a traditionally romantic detail and making it feel much more effortless.”
{{/usCountry}}The appeal of ruffles in 2026 is also tied to fashion’s renewed appetite for softness. Personal stylist Sejal Agarwal adds, “After years of pared-back dressing, the detail brings texture, movement and a sense of romance back into the wardrobe. But there is a noticeable shift in attitude: ruffles no longer signal a strictly feminine aesthetic. They can feel sensual, playful, nostalgic or even slightly subversive, depending on the silhouette and fabric. That versatility is what has allowed a once very specific trend to move beyond its 2000s and 2010s associations and feel relevant again.”
How to style ruffle tops in 2026
Celebrity fashion stylist Tejaswi Lal says
- Pair with baggy denim: Balance a feminine ruffled or sheer top with relaxed, oversized jeans for an effortless off-duty look
- Try barrel-leg trousers: The structured volume of barrel-leg trousers creates a modern contrast against soft, cascading ruffles
- Keep accessories minimal: Let the ruffles do the talking. Simple jewellery and understated footwear prevent the look from becoming overly ornate
- Play with proportions: If the top is dramatic, keep the bottom half streamlined or relaxed rather than adding volume everywhere
- Mix eras: A vintage-feeling ruffled blouse can feel surprisingly current when paired with contemporary denim, sneakers or minimalist separates