Why We’re Falling in Love with Waistcoats & Ruffles

Elegant ruffles and a tailored waistcoat might sound like the classic uniform for a romantic hero, but it's actually the ladies who are adopting this swoon-worthy style nowadays. Want to try out the trend for yourself? In this guide, we'll explore how women can channel their inner dandy (without going full Darcy cosplay) using modern touches to contrast.

Waistcoats and ruffles are signature features of dandy fashion, an elaborate menswear style that originated in the 18th century. You might recognise it from the 2025 Met Gala, which paid homage to Black dandyism in particular. Despite the gala focusing on men’s fashion, women adopted the dandy style with flair. Celebs like Teyana Taylor and Rihanna combined flouncy frilliness and suave tailoring to gorgeous effect, proving that ‘dapper’ isn’t just for the gents. 

We’re also experiencing a Regency style takeover of our screens at the moment, with the roaring success of Bridgerton on Netflix, movies like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights in our cinemas, and the promise of new Austen adaptations on the way. The stunning costuming of these period pieces involves plenty of ruffled shirts and embroidered waistcoats, so it’s no wonder we want to recreate the look for the modern day.  

We’ve long been fans of women’s waistcoats here at Joe Browns. They’re slick, sharp, and oh-so smart, making them perfect for power dressing. They’re also wonderful for creating an accentuated silhouette. Try pairing a maxi dress with a waistcoat for a stylishly cinched hourglass look that combines masculine and feminine perfectly. 

Or opt for a full-tailored look. Pair your waistcoat with fitted trousers, then add a blouse with subtle embroidery or ruffling for that touch of softness. It’s a fabulous outfit for a wedding when you want to switch things up from the classic dress. 

Want to harness waistcoat power in the workplace? Choose a fitted long-sleeved top and a sleek pencil skirt, then top it off with a blazer to take the boardroom by storm. Our guide to workplace dress codes can help you to dress this look up or down, depending on your needs.

The waistcoat you choose can completely change the look. A classic tweed waistcoat is quintessentially British and perfect for Old Money styling. Meanwhile, a denim waistcoat offers a touch of cowgirl country ‘n’ western flavour when paired with shorts and boots.

Fancy channelling androgynous glam rock? A leather or velvet waistcoat over your ruffle blouse will bring all the Bowie vibes, especially with a touch of glitter eye makeup and some figure-hugging trousers.

Ruffles are so romantic. Not just with how elaborate and elegant they look, but with how lovely they feel against your body. You can dial up the floaty, free-spirited energy by pairing your ruffle blouses with a swooshing  skirt. Just add a statement belt and boots, and you’ll be ready to frolic through the fields! 

Or, you can take things in the complete opposite direction. Create a striking silhouette by matching your ruffly, statement shirt with fitted skinny jeans. Complete the look with heels for a chic combo of Regency dandy and modern woman. It’s a fabulous jeans-and-a-nice-top look when heading to brunch or cocktails.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Contrast brings so much depth and interest to an outfit. The loose flow of ruffles, paired with the sharp cinch of a waistcoat, creates a silhouette that billows in some places and offers sophisticated structure in others. 

Perhaps that’s why the look is so beloved on our romantic heroes. Softness spilling out from a straight-laced, buttoned-up exterior…

…could the visual metaphor be more on the nose? 

Just take a look at our romantic style guide for more tips on adopting swoon-worthy style.

Ready to be dashing, dapper and debonair? Explore our collections of women’s waistcoats and blouses to get started. Plus, don’t forget to check out our inspiration page to discover even more remarkable styles to try.