First,  I'l describe what looks a bit too keen. A few evenings ago I was waiting for my table at 

The Standard (new, noisy, hot restaurant in the Meatpacking District). Remarkably, amidst all the women who still insist on dressing like Carrie Bradshaw, I saw her. Let's call her La Ruffle. She was wearing a terrific dark, plum colored coat with a ribbon-candy-like ruffle down the front. Chic, graphic and a statement maker. Then she removed her coat to reveal a more insistent passion for the ruffle trend in the low-cut and ruffled neckline of a lavender blouse tucked into a black skirt with an asymmetric ruffle across the front. The skirt was a beauty but who could see clear of the combo-platter of ruffage?  It gets better. Her waist was cinched by a metallic ruffled belt. She was shod in 6 inch black pumps (Louboutin natch) with a ruffle detail at the toe and in her hand... wait for it.... a clutch adorned with a large ruffled florette. Ladies, you can not make up an outfit like this. This got me thinking about some quick and handy rules for ruffle wearing. What kind of ruffles look cool in a Dandyish masculine/feminine way? Or in a understated-sexy Lanvin way?  How does one avoid a Madame Secretary look? So here are a few seasonal suggestions in time for holiday dressing. For every great look there is a point and counterpoint relationship. The point: one ruffled piece per outfit. The counterpoint: the more femmy and ruffly a piece then the more clean lined and tailored the pieces that make her acquaintance must be. Let's talk the classic combination of ruffled on top and tailored on the bottom.

 

 1. A jacket like this is terrific in wool or velvet. This one is the boiled wool Wrapped-In-Ruffles jacket from anthropology.com $128. 2. Your blouse doesn't have to be white or ivory but few things are more forever than investing in a good one. This is from 3.1 Philip Lim at bergdorfgoodman.com and at $450 is a pricey but truly ageless twist on a white shirt.The point collar and lacing at the wrists make it a perfect foil for tailored pants.3. This blouse from anntaylor.com is $70 and a nice accent under a jacket or paired on it's own with a slim skirt in wool, velvet, tweed. Depends where you are going. 4. The striped suit pant from BR Monogram is $132 and has the right slim 'tuxedo' trouser proportion for a ruffled and fitted jacket. 5. An easier and wider leg trouser works as well with a ruffled blouse. This is also BR Monogram for $152. Both found on bananarepublic.com. 6. The Martey skirt from Diane von Furstenberg is $245 on bloomingdales.com. It has seamed panels and a wider waistband for shape and definition. Perfect with any of the tops. For holiday parties, add saucy shoes, a cocktail ring and a clutch. Shake and stir.  

Let's talk about some ruffle dont's. Each of my picks are based on looks I've seen recently on women over 40.

1. Small ground prints or ditsy florals combined with ruffles take on a faux vintage, Granny Takes A Trip irony that is lost entirely when worn by ladies over 30. 

4. Nothing says " Waitress!" like a blouse worn shirt tail hem out over black pants. Want to wear your ruffle shirt untucked?  Look for a style that is longer and finished specifically to achieve the right look. 

5. Under a cardigan (okay this is a bow blouse but same difference. How could I pass up this horror show?). Choose a cardy with enough weight so that your blouse doesn't read through the knit and turning your torso into a crumpled mess. A firmer knit and a belt at the waist give a cardy a tailored jacket appeal worn over a statement blouse. Also choose pants that are tailored and that have a smooth fit - with anything you wear.