How to get the look: Ruffles

Mardi Gras already?

Easter's late this year, actually. And anyway I'm talking about a very distant relation of the Barry Manilow carnivalesque frill; its posh fashion-y cousin if you will.

So let me guess: pared-back minimalist ruffles?

OK, you're right – ruffles are like brunch, ie always a tad frivolous. But there are degrees of frou-frou and, as a trim, the ruffle has been finding its, well, edge this season. A larger-form ruffle brings a touch of avant-garde drama, rather than decorative loo-roll cover effect, for example.

So go big or go home.

I'm not sure that's a ruffle rule to live by, but I would recommend restricting the number and going for a larger statement ruffle. This Wylie dress from Preen (pictured above) is the high-fashion real deal – the asymmetric ruffled hem is contemporary and cool enough to debunk all "salsa night" associations (£525, my-wardrobe.com).

Just dipping a toe?

If you want to road-test a ruffle before investing heavily then try River Island's blouse with frilled shoulder in pink, yellow or cream (£30, riverisland.com) – it has something of the Pierrot about it, in a good way.