Ruffled tops are so flattering. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at one for a while. A well-done tutorial takes the mystery and intimidation out of it for me, and it might for you, too.
The tutorials are in the source link with each image.
If you haven’t been following the series on Feminine Dress, you can get caught up here with Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.
Whether you sew or not, I hope you find an idea or two that you can implement as you work toward dressing more femininely!
Ruffled Tops and DIY Tutorials
A few of these solid colored ruffled tops are so versatile in a wardrobe. They never go out of style.
Ruffled tops pair well with a cardigan or light jacket for a chilly day or more coverage.
…and…
(source)
Here is the perfect solution for that too big sweater!
This is one of the easiest and neatest sewing tricks I’ve seen!
The flower on this shrug is a great way to cover up a flaw as was done below.
This upcycled frosted flowers cardigan is made out of a cardigan and an old t-shirt, believe it or not!
(source: Sew What’s New)
Another really neat top idea (Anthropologie-style, this time) by Lily-Fashion:
…and a skirt to blouse refashion…
This Ruffle Shirt is also modest across the bust line. This tutorial is on the Busily Spinning Momma blog.
Many tees can be pretty revealing if one gets chilled; without the proper undergarment to deal with that, many of us have been unwittingly embarrassed. The Modest Mom blog offers many nice options for an under shell. This is part of a great all-season solution. They come in long sleeves and other options.
And to pair with some of these tops, my friend Laura tells us how to make this lovely multi-layered skirt:
To sew a simple circle skirt, here is a super-easy, six-panel skirt from Better Homes and Gardens that is perfect for finishing an outfit using the tops above. I personally love this skirt and top combo.
This re-worked cardigan spices up a simple flowing skirt and coordinating under-top to make a very pretty look. Both modest and very in style.
Check out my post 25 Classic Ladylike Looks For You: Spring Heading Into Summer.
“Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.”
– Nikolaus L. von Zinzendorf
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Musings of a Minister's Wife
Love the tutorials, the pictures, and the quote especially! Thanks for all of your efforts to keep us looking and feeling beautiful and feminine.
Jacqueline
Thank you, Melinda,
These are some of the most fun to do! I am really enjoying getting to know you 🙂
Danielle @ More Than Four Walls
Amen on the quote!
It occurred to me that I look frumpy in skirts because I don’t know what to wear with them. A t-shirt and a skirt don’t have the same casual look and feel on me as a t with jeans. I need to expand my wardrobe to include some decent (thrift-store buy) shirts to look nicer yet feminine and modest.
Thanks for the post… and the series….you’ve got me thinking!
Jacqueline
Hi, Danielle,
I am thankful to be able to do this series. I have approached it prayerfully, so it blesses me to hear that it has stimulated your thinking. To God be the glory!
The ideas seem to keep coming and requests about shoes and a post for girls age 12-16 have me thinking, too!
Grace and peace to you, friend,
Jacqueline
Caroline @ The Modest Mom
I have really enjoyed following this series! Thank you for the link to my store. 🙂
Heather @ourcultivatedlife
Love the ruffled tops! So pretty and feminine! Thank you for posting such encouragement for us. Blessings to you!
Mrs Carli Thom
What a lovely post! I love feminine dress and am so glad that you have taken the time to show examples that are stylish, beautiful and modern! Have you considered posting similar ideas and examples for girls around 12-16 I have a very difficult time finding clothes for them that are appropriate, they dont want to dress like little girls, and most of the “teen clothes”are just trashy. They fit the smallest ladies sizes but as my girls have not yet developed, the tops and dresses just dont fit the way they are supposed to. I would be gratefull for any ideas and suggestions!
Jacqueline
Hello, Mrs. Carli Thom,
Thank you for your very kind words.
I am gleaning pictures of the ‘Beautiful Girlhood’ years as I find them, but the age you mention is the hardest. Let me see what I can do.
Please pray I find several beautiful family blogs where they value femininity and modesty with a true Christian spirit and not legalism. I will also need to get permission to use their photos, so I can’t promise anything. Thanks for mentioning it 🙂
JES
This series was very enjoyable. Lovely taste, modest and beautifully feminine… Great quote! I just may have to get my sewing machine out… Also, a big foot?? I have a size 10 (sigh) and really love the simple mary jane shoes or the functional/comfortable Dansko shoes with my skirts. Have a wonderful weekend dearie!
Jacqueline
Halooo, JES!
Yes, I am affectionately known as ‘Bigfoot’! Ha! Anything I can do to minimize them helps!
Are you in the mood to sew? Does your daughter sew? Our upstairs area is filled with material and clothes to be altered or re-purposed, but now my daughter is way beyond me. Seems I worked myself out of a job!
Charlotte Moore
Beautiful post!! I love the tops with the higher neckline with the ruffles and flowers. A very good quote.
GOD BLESS!!!
Jacqueline
Hello, Charlotte,
Thank you, dear friend! I have missed your cheerful presence 🙂 I pray you are well.
I’m still trying to remember where I found the Matthew Henry quote 🙁
ChristyH
I am really enjoying this series. Over the years I have toyed on and off with wearing more skirts and looking more feminine. You would think by now my tom boy ways would be far behind me. ;0) I hope you continue with these posts and they encourage me tremendously.
Jacqueline
Christy,
Thank you for your kind words. I am thankful if it can bless others.
I hope I can convey that women can still be truly feminine and every inch a lady, but not go for pink, ruffles, lace and frills. A sturdy woman can get dirty, but she can also get cleaned up nicely, too. Use that tomboy personality to your advantage, and don’t be discouraged! God made us all differently.
Here is a link you might find interesting:
https://deeprootsathome.com/sturdy-womanhood-2/
Blessings,
Jacqueline
Sally Ann
I have loved reading each one of these posts. Thank you for taking the time to put all this information together for all of us. It has really changed the way I think about dressing. I have found that I need to get some different tops to go the skirts that I have.
Jacqueline
Thank you, Sally Ann! I am glad it is a help to you.
It has spurred me to clean out my closet a bit. After years of accumulating without a vision or goal, it is refreshing to pare down and not feel I need to go out and buy more! I can do a better job of mixing and matching from studying this, too 🙂
Petra
Love the quote-says exactly the truth. And the clothing ideas are superb. Ruffles are indeed a pretty and simple way to add to a shirt’s quality. 😀 Thank you for this series! God bless your day!
Jacqueline
I hope the ruffles don’t turn anyone off of the main objective. I really believe we can be feminine without even one ruffle 😉
Sending warm greeting s your way!
Julia
Thank for this lovely series on feminine dress. I really enjoyed it and eagerly await the advice regarding shoes! I found it helpful as I have never been too good at fashion! I was wondering if you could do a post on hairsytyles especially for an older woman. I am 53 and don’t know what to do with my hair. i would love to wear it longer but it has become grey and frizzy in recent years and I just look like a mad womans breakfast some days! I always admire women who look feminine but elegant.
Rhonda Devine
Lovely as always friend,
Rhonda
Jacie
Absolutely wonderful post! All the outfits were so pretty and helpful to guide me with what I’d like to keep my eye open for while shopping. Ruffles! Thanks for sharing this.
Jacie
http://www.munahscupcake.com
Linda LeClair
Lovely articles! I, too, am looking forward to the article on footwear. It seems that unless I wear good-quality sneakers most of the day, my legs, knees and back hurt. Also, I am 56 years old, 5′ tall, and getting a little chunky. When I wear skirts, I seem to look even more chunky and short.
Elle Jane
I absolutely LOVE this series! Ruffled shirts are so pretty and feminine.
I also love how many great outfits you show that are so modest. I buy most of my skirts at thrift stores because its nearly impossible to find them in the stores these days.
Being modest is an expression to me of respect towards God and the beautiful body He has given me.
Thankful for God's Grace
New to your blog and loving the ideas of feminine modest dress. One question that I have struggled with that I am hoping you can help me with is: while ruffles do look pretty on a shirt, do you think they also draw the eye to the chest? If it does, is that still considered modest? I’ve really struggled with these types of questions as I search God’s Word and redo my wardrobe. Thank you for the encouragement!
Jacqueline
Thank you so much your kind words. To God be the glory!!
As I go back and look at the photos with ruffles, it doesn’t make my eye go to the chest with a bad thought, but at 60 I may not be seeing what someone else might see (or think of). That is a good question, and you will maybe need to get more counsel, ask your husband if married, and ask for wisdom (James 1:2). I’m afraid that isn’t much help, but I know the Lord will guide you. Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you!!
Thankful for God's Grace
Thank you for taking the time to give me counsel. It has only been a couple years since the Lord convicted me of my immodest dress so I’m still trying to figure it out. I look forward to learning more from you. God bless you as you encourage us young women in the ways of the Lord (Titus 2).
Paula
Simply lovely post! I will have to say that I especially loved the quote!
Many blessings to you!
Stacy McDonald
Such a great post! Thank you for all the good ideas…and for the fantastic quote!
Robin May
Love this post. I was able to see Part 6 but where is 1-5 would love to read more.
Jacqueline
Robin May,
Thank you! The links are in the first paragraph. I hope this helps 🙂
Katrina @ Edelweiss Patterns
Lovely ideas! I’ve been sewing or altering my own clothing for years since I can’t always find modest clothing in the stores, and it’s amazing how many options it gives you when you can sew! Even when I find low-cut tops, I can usually always fix them by adding stretch lace or a mock-camisole to the neckline.
Jacqueline
Katrina,
I am glad you enjoyed it…I was surprised at how many cute things there were online once I really looked around! And, yes, if you can sew and are creative (I’m not so much), you can make something lovely!
anita
ruffles look great on slim women – what about the rest of us. i am too bosomy to wear ruffles on my top and too rounded for them anywhere for that matter- i want to look feminine and not boxy any ideas? flow-ey looks too “mumu” – help! LOL my daughter is short and curvy too…yet wants to wear the styles like this…sigh.
Melissa
It is all so lovely. Glad I stumbled across your site.
Terri
I was in a cult for over 25 years and still , after 3 years do not know how to dress…I think that cult has ruined me for life…HELP !!! Plus size is not easy to work around…do you have any ideas….???
Jacqueline
Dear Terri,
My heart goes out to you, dear one. I feel like I am a mess so often, too, and just think of what Jesus did for me on the cross and it calms my fears and makes me so grateful! Thankfulness overcomes so much! As far as dressing, I will share a post with you that might give some ideas: https://deeprootsathome.com/modest-feminine-dressing-for-the-plus-size-woman/
I am praying for you and know the Lord will guide you when you call on Him and trust in His goodness! “The name of Jesus is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 (((Hugs!)))