Adapted from an article by Lara Zamiatin. (For the Southern Hemisphere)
Fun and flirty, ruffles are perfect for dressing up this spring. If you garment has not frills, flounce or float, it just isn't moving with the times.

Dresses that dance
The beauty of ruffles is their ability to create movement in cloths. It's why Spanish flamenco dancers strike their haughty poses in floor-length, cascading grills and why flappers appeared to be walking on air when the tiers of their 1920s dresses swayed. Forever associated with dancing queens, ruffles are tricky to master for everyday wear- the secret is to tweak to look to your shape.

Flatter the figure
Like much voluminous clobber, ruffles create the illusion of curves but can also add undesirable volume to areas many would rather conceal. A godsend for petite women, ruffles around the collar and chest enhance the bust, while frilly skirts give the appearance of hips. For fuller figures, ruffles are best kept to the hemline. Ruffled sleeves draw attention away from less-than-toned upper arms.

Daytime ruffles
Fashion designers seem to be collectively bored with minimalism. All the chiffon and loud-print ruffled frocks around make fabulous luncheon attire. Reminiscent of delicate 1930s tea dresses. Team frilled frocks with a wide belt if you must but, really, the point of ruffled gowns is their free=flowing for.
Juxtaposing pretty clothes with tough footwear is a fashion mantra. However, this rule doesn't work with ruffles. Heavy, clunky shoes with soft floaty frills look just that: clunky. If your flouncy frock borders on the sweet side, up the sexy quotient with sleek sling-back kitten heels. Otherwise go for flatties with a funky twist, such as bejeweled flip-flops or metallic trainers.

After-five frills
Ruffled maxi dresses in vivid shapes recall the 1970s disco craze. The new crop of ruffled evening wear sits below the knees or mid-calf. Numerous brands have produced 1920s-style tiered shift.
When playing up ruffled frocks for night, one rule applies: no drab footwear. Anything goes, from metallic stilettos to strappy sandals and coloured peep-toes. Or, opt for ladylike boot. Get over-the-knee boots wrong and it screams cheap, so forget hard-core PVC styles. Tasteful super-high boots are to come by.

Ruffled separates
A word on co-coordinating frilly separates. Standard rules on volume apply: voluminous tops require streamline bottoms. Don't do as the lat Princess Diana did in the early 1980s and wear ruffled shirts with full skirts. The look is frumpy, even on fashion royalty. Instead, go for cigarette-cut trousers or A-line and pencil skirts. Ruffled skirts can't help but cause their wearers to walk with a flounce. Team a flippy skirt with a racer-back singlet or long-sleeved T-shirt.

Must-haves
A fantastic multi-tiered ruffled frock that puts a spring in your step. Fun, flirty footwear.
Must avoid
Ruffles, whether they come in stiff cottons or slinky silks, must be ironed. Saggy frills, put bluntly, look plain sad.