Prediction: Ruffled Sweaters Will Rule The Fall

Although ruffles may now be considered a feminine detail, ruffles historically symbolized status for men and women alike. Look at almost any painting from the Elizabethan Era and I guarantee you’ll spot a man sitting proudly in a comically large ruff collar. Marie Antoniette adored wearing a dress with a cinched waist and big ruffled skirt, even sometimes ones with ruffled sleeves and necklines too. This is all to say that ruffles were a sign of opulence and that people weren’t afraid to embrace drama when it came to their fashion. And, I presume, whilst donning their ruffles in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, those folks felt dignified.

Ruffles floated down so many runways during the Spring/Summer 2025 fashion month. They were a consistent theme in Colina Strada’s ‘Touch Grass’ collection, for example: a sheer long sleeved mint slip dress with an asymmetric ruffled hem, a plaid asymmetric ruffled skirt styled over cargo pants, and a gauzy lime green dress with one ruffled sleeve, to name only a few. This collection gave insight into the future of ruffles and a modernized way of styling them. Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection featured several details that could be interpreted as an ode to the ruff, as well as the Victorian and Elizabethan eras in general. That collection featured billowy tops with high ruffled necks, and paid homage to eras past. It’s not totally insane to assume that this theme will continue into the fall and winter seasons and, naturally, in the form of sweaters.

Now, back to Bella Hadid’s look. The street-style icon was spotted after filming Chicken Shop Date with Amelia Dimoldenberg in a vintage brown cardigan with ruffle lapels and because, as we all know, Hadid is living some of our supermodel girlfriend, cowboy boyfriend dreams, her outfit included a western twist: flared jeans with a brown leather stitched belt detail. She accessorized with a brown suede bag with tassels, tortoise shell sunglasses, and heels with a bow detail. I’d argue that Hadid being photographed in a ruffled sweater alone is enough to certify that it will be a trend. Let’s check back in at the end of November to see if I am right.