Wearing ruching and draped clothes for the most flattering effect

If you haven’t already noticed, we love drapes, ruching, cinching, and asymmetry here at 40+ Style. Not only do they add interest to any outfit, but they’re also super flattering. Plus, they’re a huge trend this season. In this article, you’ll find all the best draped clothes we’ve found in stores this season, along with lots of tips on how to wear them.

Also take a look at how to wear asymmetric clothing.

Rita @ritapalazzi above (read her style interview here) opts for a ruffled co-ord set.

Get her look with this similar top (other options here and here), pants, sandals, clutch and earrings.

Carmen @carmen_gimeno above shows how you can add some subtle ruching to your outfit with a ruched sleeve blazer.

Check out this graphic tee (another option here), similar blazer, pants, flats, tote and sunglasses.

Nikki @40notfrumpy above shows how you can add some subtle asymmetry to your outfit by choosing an asymmetric bag.

Recreate her outfit with this similar dress, pumps and handbag.

Draped, asymmetric and ruched clothes on the catwalks

Many designers chose to add draped clothes, ruching, and asymmetric hemlines to their catwalk looks this season. Below, you can see some designer inspiration.

Alexander McQueen – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Issey Miyake

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 /12 / 13 / 14

Ruching, asymmetry and drapes

Let’s look at some of the most stylish clothes we’ve spotted in stores. All of our choices feature ruching, cinching, draping or asymmetry.

tops

Starting with tops, choosing a ruched or draped top can be the perfect way to hide a bit of a tummy if that’s part of your body that you aren’t super keen on.

COS Asymmetric Brooch-detail Blouse – Significant Other Acacia Ruched Cowlneck Top – Santorelli Ruched Tie-Dyed Crepe Blouse – Sea Fabiola Silk Ruched Blouse

Kim @kimair above (read her style interview here) opts for a ruched top with her jeans and sandals. Note how adding a new top can give your favorite pair of jeans a different, more current look.

Get her look with this similar top (another option here), jeans, sandals, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.

Jackets and coats

Look for blazers with ruched sleeves. You can also ruch up the sleeves on your blazer, giving your look a more modern, nonchalant style. Other options to create a draped effect include draped collars and tie waists.

Cinq à Sept Khloe Crepe Ruched Blazer – Elie Tahari Stella Ruched Open-Front Blazer – Cinq à Sept Dale Ruched-Sleeve Jacket – Avec Les Filles Drape Trench Coat

Cinq à Sept Khloe Crepe Ruched Blazer – Significant Other Acacia Ruched Cowlneck Top – FRAME Pleated Silk Ankle wide Leg Pants – Circus NY by Sam Edelman Larissah Mules – STAUD Bean Ruched Leather Shoulder Bag – GelConnie Leather Cord Necklace

Pants and jeans

Choose pants with ruching at the knees or pleating to give them extra volume. It’s generally best to keep your top streamlined so you don’t have too much width everywhere.

Ser.o.ya Chelle Ruched Jeans – FRAME Pleated Silk Ankle wide Leg Pants – COS Paperbag Utility Pants – COS Gathered Wide Leg Pants

Sharryn @thestylishwoman above (read her style interview here) shows how you can choose pleating in your pants. A perfect vacation look.

Steal her look with this similar top, pants, sneakers, necklace, earrings and sunglasses.

Dresses and skirts

When choosing drapes or ruching in your dress or skirt, the key is to place the ruching in the most flattering place for you. You may want ruching to create some volume around the hips if you have an inverted triangle figure and you want to create balance, for example. Or, you may want to add some drapes around the tummy section to hide a belly.

Reiss Navy Cosette Linen Blend Drape Midi Dress – Reiss Coral Saffy Ruched Midi Dress – Ramy Brook Mable Chevron Ruched Midi-Skirt – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Ruched Stretch Hi-Lo Skirt

Reiss Navy Cosette Linen Blend Drape Midi Dress – Söfft Chrissie Sandals – STAUD Bean Ruched Leather Shoulder Bag – Open Edit Polished Teardrop Stud Earrings –

ruched shoes

You can also add this trend to your outfit by choosing ruched shoes like any of the styles below.

Circus NY by Sam Edelman Larissah Mules – Söfft Chrissie Sandals – DREAM PAIRS Kitten Heel Sandals – AllSaints Sapphire Suede Loafers

Sheree @shesheshow above wears a beautiful draped shirtdress. We love the way she’s teamed orange with turquoise.

Recreate her outfit with this similar dress, sandals, bag, earrings and bracelet.

accessories

To add this style to your outfits, look for slouchy and ruched bags, or choose a draped scarf.

HOXIS Oversize Vegan Leather Tote – STAUD Bean Ruched Leather Shoulder Bag – pearlzone Hand-Woven Bread Clutch – GelConnie Leather Cord Necklace – Ettika Crystal Drape Fringe Earrings – Open Edit Polished Teardrop Stud Earrings – Micoop Infinity Pendant Scarf

COS Asymmetric Brooch-detail Blouse – COS Gathered Wide Leg Pants – DREAM PAIRS Kitten Heel Sandals – pearlzone Hand-Woven Bread Clutch – Ettika Crystal Drape Fringe Earrings

Draped capsule wardrobe

You can see the draped and asymmetric outfits from above together in one capsule. You can see how you could change around the tops and bottoms to create different looks, or add some ruching to your existing outfits.

Continue reading:

1. 2024 Fashion Trends: All The Best Outfits To Wear This Spring And Summer
2. How To Wear Asymmetrical Clothing – Asymmetric Dresses And Tops To Fall In Love With
3. How To Dress After 40 And Look Hip?

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Feature image by Kim @kimair

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