The Best Ruched Dresses
While you may not know what ruching is off the top of your head, most of us likely have one or two ruched tops in our closets at this very moment. A popular sewing technique in European fashion since the Middle Ages, ruching involves gathering fabric to create a pleated pattern that repeats down the line of sewing. And depending on the type of fabric used, the resulting look can be extremely flattering. That's why the famous bodycon dresses of our modern era are so efficient. Perfect for relaxed days out as well as fancy nights on the town, a ruched dress is a must-have in every fashionista's wardrobe, and we've got a lineup of our favorites for you below.
Verdusa Ruched Bodycon Cami Dress
Hot in every hue
There are many reasons to wear a ruched dress, from the comfort of the fabric to the ease of movement, but the main one is that they just look really good. By bunching up the fabric of the dress in key areas, ruched designs hide lumps and slim down your curves. And if you add a V-neck top and asymmetrical hemline to the equation like the folks over at Verdusa have done, you get one stunning outfit. Best of all, you get an enormous variety of color options to choose from with this particular dress.
Pros:
- If you like letting your girls breathe on a night out, then you’ll love the non-sheer fabric of this dress, which lets you go bra-free every time you wear it.
- When we say this dress is flattering, we really mean it. That’s thanks to the asymmetrical fabric on the tummy area that’s designed to cover up and shape up every type of midsection.
Cons:
- The straps on this dress are not adjustable.
Ymduch Ruched Mini Club Dress
Short and sultry
One of the most fun things about going out with our girlfriends is looking our best. That’s why it’s so important to have the right party outfit planned, which is exactly where this ruched club dress by Ymduch comes in. Low cut and mini by design, this dress begs you to look at it. But despite its bright color options, you won’t have to worry about too much being visible thanks to the double-layered fabric in all the key places.
Pros:
- Though the phrase “fits like a glove” is often associated with ruched dresses, this particular flirty option really takes the cake with its super-stretchy, true-to-size design.
- This dress doesn’t just look good — it feels good, too. The fabric is as soft as it is stretchy, meaning you can wear it right on top of your bare skin without itching or irritation.
Cons:
- Because of its short length, the dress can ride up if you’re moving around a lot.
Wenrine Sleeveless Ruched Dress
Ruche it up or down
Just because we love the ruched look for an evening out doesn’t mean we don’t want the same feeling on a regular day as well. Fortunately, you can get all the comfort and flexibility of a club dress without the risque cut with this sleeveless dress option from Wenrine. The crewneck neckline is perfect for dressing up or down with accessories and outerwear to match your particular event. At the same time, the dress length is adjustable to work with your body.
Pros:
- Unlike other ruched dresses, this one is designed to stay put on your legs, so you can go about your regular day without worrying about constantly adjusting it down.
- Whether you have bigger or smaller breasts, the armholes are designed to feel just right without being too tight thanks to the special stretchy fabric of the dress.
Cons:
- The dress is recommended for hand-washing only.
Lillusory Ruched Tank Dress
Loosen up your layers
Let’s be honest, ladies. Sometimes we don’t want to be hugged and held in all the tight places. Whether we’ve put on a few pounds or are just looking for a bit of room in our outfit, a relaxed-fit dress is a closet staple for most of us. And now, you can get the same feeling in a ruched dress option with Lillusory’s tank dress. Tighter in the chest and looser in the hips, this dress has an adjustable waist tie that lets you play with your look every time you wear it.
Pros:
- No more worrying about panty lines showing. This dress comes with a silky inner lining to hide your undergarments and to smooth out your curves.
- The above-the-knee length means you can wear this dress on a night out or for a work function without being inappropriate.
Cons:
- The actual color of the dress is slightly less bright than those pictured.
Gobles Ruched Off Shoulder Dress
A classic cocktail choice
When it comes to formal looks, few beat the classic sophistication of the off-shoulder dress. But while we might want to expose our collarbones, we may want to keep some of the lower parts of our bodies tucked away from view. Here’s where a ruched dress like this super-elegant choice by Gobles can really help. Perfect for cocktail parties, weddings, or even a romantic dinner date, this dress features adjustable ruffled shoulders and a ruched midi to give you that flattering, layered look.
Pros:
- At this low price point, we love how high-quality the fabric looks and feels, even on a formal night out.
- You’ll get exactly what you see with this dress. The color of the fabric is just as bright and vibrant as the pictures show.
Cons:
- The chest area rides up and may need to be adjusted throughout your evening.
Our Tips and Tricks
Finding the perfect ruched dress for you means taking several things into consideration, namely the part of your body that you want to slim down and what you’ll be wearing the dress to. Firstly, if you’re looking to reduce your chest size, then aim for a ruched look on the shoulders or neckline. On the other hand, for those of us with bigger bellies, an asymmetrical wrap ruche design will work wonders when it comes to making the midsection look slimmer. Next, if you’re looking for a comfy dress you can move around in, consider a longer-length option to prevent the fabric from riding up. But if flirtation is what you’re after, then go short, sister, and take advantage of those hugged curves below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is ruching flattering, anyway?
Though it may seem counter-intuitive to bunch up pleats of fabric on the parts of the body you want to hide, ruching works precisely for this reason. It conceals lumps behind the pattern of the fabric while simultaneously drawing your eye along the pleated lines towards a narrower part of your body, thereby making you appear slimmer.
Is a ruched dress the same as a shirred dress?
Both sewing styles have similar looks but they accomplish different things. Shirring is basically gathering rows of fabric together and cinching them with an elastic thread, shrinking down any fabric and making it stretchy on the body. This can be effective for reducing bust size and is great for use on pregnant bellies. But if you’re looking to divert attention away from the belly, we still recommend going with a ruched look to direct the eyes toward your slimmer bits.
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