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This Utilitarian Trend Makes My Feminine Style Feel So Much Sportier

03/03/2020 - 12:37 AM

My style has always skewed feminine. I've forever favoured dresses over pants, heels over flats, and pretty much any top with a puffy sleeve or flourish. While in the past couple of years I've developed more minimalist [1] tendencies and wear basics [2] like jeans and tees more than ever before, my outfits habitually feel formal or prim when, on many occasions, I'd prefer them to feel more relaxed and "cooler", if you will.

What's more, as of late when I do find myself in the mood to pluck a printed midi dress or whimsical skirt from my closet, each one feels a bit too fussy. Even for occasions like a nice dinner, girls night, or day of important meetings. Perhaps it's the result of living in Manhattan for 10 years — function is very key when you're taking the subway and speed walking through the city blocks on the daily — but recently, I can't seem to figure my way around the feminine staples I've been stuck on for years. For, me it's not as simple as swapping out my heels for sneakers and calling it a day (trust me, I've tried). It takes a certain type of detail or juxtaposition to make me feel at ease with a downplayed look.

That's where ruched clothing comes into play, a micro-trend riffing off Spring's major utilitarian movement. From cinched silhouettes to scrunched seams and elasticized hemlines, Spring's take on the ruching is much sportier than romantic iterations of seasons past. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, Bottega Veneta, and Givenchy we saw drawstring waists and necklines as an unexpected twist to dresses and leather separates while Salvatore Ferragamo and Stella McCartney gave us athleisure-driven pieces like hoodies and trenches with gathered hems. Both scenarios piqued my interest as a subtle way to transform the polished and feminine staples in my wardrobe. With the help of a few ruched pieces, I knew I could assemble several "me" outfits with a fresh and sporty spin.

So, that's exactly what I did in the photos ahead. I put Spring's ruched clothing trend to the test via five outfits ranging from casual to dressy. While four out of the five looks admittedly still skew feminine [3], they come with a forward feel that's transformative for those accustomed to ultrafemme style. Scroll on to see all five of my looks. If you're as into the ruched trend as I am, shop all the pieces you'll need to recreate each one on your own.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Jacket

I eased into the ruched clothing trend by choosing a voluminous jacket with a gathered hem. The cropped silhouette allowed the drawstring details their moment in the spotlight, as did my neutral palette consisting of high-rise trousers, a black tee, and heeled ankle boots.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Jacket

My lime-green bag served as a whimsical finish.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Jacket

A cinched jacket like this allows you to lean into the trend as little or as much as you like. Simply adjust the drawstring to your liking and you're good to go.

Nanushka Logan Double Face Wool & Silk Jacket

Nanushka Logan Double Face Wool & Silk Jacket [5] ($670)

Frankie Shop Eva Padded Shoulder Muscle T-Shirt

Frankie Shop Eva Padded Shoulder Muscle T-Shirt [6] ($75)

Ganni Chino Trousers

Ganni Chino Trousers [7] ($235)

Miista Olga Stretch Bootie

Miista Olga Stretch Bootie [8] ($395)

Imago-a Nº49 Cross Handle Bucket

Imago-a Nº49 Cross Handle Bucket [9] ($475)

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Skirt

As I said before, most of my midi skirts have been feeling overly sweet. Enter: this balloon silhouette with a supermodern feel. The non-stretch poplin fabric helps prevent this skirt from feeling overly sweet, but as you can see, the cinched hemline is the total wow-factor.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Skirt

For an office-appropriate look, I styled my utilitarian skirt with a polished polo, mesh slingbacks, and a knotted crossbody (I love how each piece has a sporty influence).

Nanushka Agnes Fabric Block Polo Shirt

Nanushka Agnes Fabric Block Polo Shirt [10] ($395)

Lee Mathews Dwight Balloon Skirt

Lee Mathews Dwight Balloon Skirt [11] ($449)

Zara Mesh Slingback Heels

Zara Mesh Slingback Heels [12] ($50)

Zara Oval Leather Crossbody Bag

Zara Oval Leather Crossbody Bag [13] ($70)

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Dress

This utilitarian dress is another fresh spin on one of my go-to outfit formulas of a midi dress and tall boots. Also featuring a drawstring hemline, this belted dress is sleek, but with a touch of sport.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Dress

Keeping my accessories neutral, I styled in a nylon bag (also of the sporty variety!) and tall suede boots (when the weather warms up, I'll swap these out for a pair of minimal sandals or mules).

Tibi Eco Silk Cape Dress With Belt

Tibi Eco Silk Cape Dress With Belt [14] ($950)

Sam Edelman Women's Hai Over-the-Knee Boots Shoes

Sam Edelman Women's Hai Over-the-Knee Boots Shoes [15] ($200)

Zara Nylon Crossbody Bag

Zara Nylon Crossbody Bag [16] ($60)

Wolf Circus Iris Necklace

Wolf Circus Iris Necklace [17] ($124)

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Top

Most ruched tops feel ultrafeminine, and while this long-sleeve style felt feminine, it wasn't too sweet. The elasticized sleeves are a nice balance to the corset detailing along the bustline.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Top

To offset the built-in femininity of this ruched, I mixed in loose-fitting jeans and finished with simple mules and a colourful bag.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Top

A moment for the back of these jeans.

Zara Top With Ruching

Zara Top With Ruching [18] ($36)

Still Here Pastel Rainbow Tate Crop Jeans

Still Here Pastel Rainbow Tate Crop Jeans [19] ($280)

For The Ages Ineva Baguette

For The Ages Ineva Baguette [20] ($205)

Zara Animal Print Heeled Sandals

Zara Animal Print Heeled Sandals [21] ($50)

Temple Of The Sun Kiya Chain Necklace

Temple Of The Sun Kiya Chain Necklace [22] ($259)

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Dress

Another dress! But this straight-from-the-runway style (which immediately caught my eye during its debut at New York Fashion Week) proves how sporty ruching can translate to party attire.

How to Wear Ruched Clothing: A Dress

With a drawstring neckline and waist, this modern dress is still feminine, but unexpectedly so. My leather bag and mules are in line with the sporty-chic vibe.

3.1 Phillip Lim Cold Shoulder Parachute Utility Dress

3.1 Phillip Lim Cold Shoulder Parachute Utility Dress [23] ($750)

Tibi Andre Ostrich Shoes

Tibi Andre Ostrich Shoes [24] ($695)

Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag

Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag [25] ($1,900)


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