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  3. 15 Celebrities Teach Us How to Rock Ruffles (without Looking Too Girly)

15 Celebrities Teach Us How to Rock Ruffles (without Looking Too Girly)

By Andrea Cheng
Updated May 15, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
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Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

My last memory of wearing ruffles was in the early aughts. I owned this cloyingly sweet bubble gum-pink tiered ruffle mini skirt and now, every time I think about my fashion regrets, I land on this particular cringe-worthy piece. Like, what was I thinking? But guess what, ruffles are back as one of this season's biggest trends, and I hate to say it, but I'm now rethinking the flouncy finish.

It helps, too, that this time around, the pretty detail boasts a level of sophistication that stops it from crossing into too-twee or too-girly territory. Some takes are even sexy, like a plunging red-hot dress with just the teeniest ruffly flourish that subtly hints at a softer side (see: Selena Gomez's Giambattista Valli number, above). While others are plain cool. How neat was Emma Watson's dress-and-pant Osman pairing? The ruffled floral embroidered dress was perfectly offset by a pair of tailored pants underneath. Modern-day fashion perfection right there. 

For more convincing, scroll through to see how all 15 stars are rocking ruffles, all without looking too girly.

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1 of 15

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Selena Gomez

Credit: FameFlynet

Gomez gave ruffles a sexy spin with this plunging red-hot Giambattista Valli number with the teeniest flourish for a subtle hint at a softer side.

1 of 15

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Cate Blanchett

Credit: Jun Sato/WireImage

Blanchett worked it in a sexy corset-inspired Louis Vuitton knit number that not only clung to her curves, but outlined them, all of which was nicely balanced out with a sweet flouncy hem.

2 of 15

3 of 15

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Emma Watson

Credit: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Watson expertly united romance with menswear when she wore a pretty floral-embroidered ruffled Osman dress that opened to reveal a pair of tailored pants underneath.

3 of 15

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Sarah Jessica Parker

Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

SJP drew inspiration from Hamilton for the 2016 Met Gala in a custom Monse ensemble with a tailcoat that ended with frilly lantern sleeves.

4 of 15

5 of 15

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Lily Collins

Credit: Joe Schildhorn/BFA/REX/Shutterstock

A ruffled trim doubles as sleeves on Collins's Burberry number.

5 of 15

6 of 15

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Lea Michele

Credit: Amanda Edwards/WireImage

Michele made a statement with an exaggerated ruffle that ran along her LBD.

6 of 15

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7 of 15

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Ciara

Credit: David X Prutting/BFA/REX/Shutterstock

The navy hue and Ciara's minimalist accessories stop her tiered ruffle dress from looking too sweet. 

7 of 15

8 of 15

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Naomi Watts

Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage

The star was angelic in allover ruffles by Valentino. But the contrasting black trim details ground the look and keep it from looking too delicate.

8 of 15

9 of 15

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Emma Roberts

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Roberts gave her cropped flouncy cami modern-day appeal with a sleek pair of culottes and sky-high Charlotte Olympia sandals.

9 of 15

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10 of 15

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Demi Moore

Credit: Billy Farrell/BFA/REX/Shutterstock

The easiest way to rock the ruffle trend? With teensy baby frills along the neckline and sleeves. The effect: A look that's slightly Victorian, yet completely chic.

10 of 15

11 of 15

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Lily Aldridge

Got a ruffled bandeau? Style it with a high-waist skirt to reveal just a tiny sliver of skin. (A ruffled bandeau bikini top works, too). 

11 of 15

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Gwyneth Paltrow

Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

Perfect for the minimalist, Paltrow's streamlined black separates boast just enough of a ruffle at the sleeve for interest.

12 of 15

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13 of 15

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Lupita Nyong'o

Credit: Walter McBride/WireImage

If all-over, head-to-toe ruffles is a touch too much, find a dress lined with them (versus sweeping tiers) for just the right amount. Moderation is key, after all.

13 of 15

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Jaime King

Credit: AKM-GSI

The star tapped her arty-intellectual side in a wonderfully offbeat pajama-style set that featured a rich plum hue, a tie-neck detail, and flouncy hemlines.

14 of 15

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Keri Russell

Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Russell found the goth version of the ruffled dress—a black one with delicate pleated frills.

15 of 15

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1 of 15 Selena Gomez
2 of 15 Cate Blanchett
3 of 15 Emma Watson
4 of 15 Sarah Jessica Parker
5 of 15 Lily Collins
6 of 15 Lea Michele
7 of 15 Ciara
8 of 15 Naomi Watts
9 of 15 Emma Roberts
10 of 15 Demi Moore
11 of 15 Lily Aldridge
12 of 15 Gwyneth Paltrow
13 of 15 Lupita Nyong'o
14 of 15 Jaime King
15 of 15 Keri Russell

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15 Celebrities Teach Us How to Rock Ruffles (without Looking Too Girly)
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