The Return of Romantic Fashion: Bows, Ruffles & Feminine Details
Romantic details are making a powerful comeback in 2026, with bows, ruffles, and delicate feminine touches dominating runways and high streets across the UK. This trend celebrates softness, elegance, and a nostalgic nod to vintage fashion while remaining thoroughly modern and wearable.
Why Romantic Details Are Trending Now
After years of minimalism and athleisure dominance, fashion is embracing femininity and romance. The trend reflects a desire for beauty, optimism, and self-expression through clothing. From bow-adorned sweaters to ruffled blouses, these details add personality and charm to everyday outfits.
The 'coquette' aesthetic has particularly influenced this trend, bringing ribbon bows, lace details, and soft silhouettes into mainstream fashion. British women are embracing these romantic touches as a way to add interest to their wardrobes without sacrificing comfort or practicality.
Key Romantic Details to Look For
Bow Accents
Bows are everywhere this season - from backless sweaters with bow ties to ribbon bow hair accessories. These playful details add instant femininity and can transform a simple piece into something special. Look for bows at the back of necklines, on sleeves, or as decorative elements on knitwear.
Ruffle & Frill Details
Ruffled sleeves and frilled necklines bring movement and dimension to tops and blouses. A frilled V-neck blouse with bow details offers double the romantic impact, perfect for both work and social occasions.
Lace & Mesh Overlays
Floral lace mesh tops and lace-trimmed pieces add delicate texture and visual interest. These work beautifully layered under blazers or cardigans for a sophisticated take on the trend, or worn alone for evening events.
Puff & Balloon Sleeves
Volume in sleeves continues to trend, with puff sleeves and balloon sleeves adding drama and romance. These statement sleeves balance beautifully with fitted bodices and create an elegant, feminine silhouette.
Scallop Trim & Decorative Edges
Scallop trim details on collars and hems offer a subtle way to embrace the romantic trend. These delicate edges add refinement without overwhelming your look.
How to Style Romantic Details for Different Occasions
Office-Appropriate Romance
For professional settings, opt for subtle romantic details. A mock neck top with delicate lace mesh sleeves under a blazer strikes the perfect balance between feminine and professional. Pair with tailored trousers and simple jewellery for a polished look.
Alternatively, try a frilled V-neck blouse in a neutral colour with a pencil skirt or smart trousers. The key is keeping the rest of your outfit streamlined when incorporating romantic details at work.
Weekend & Casual Styling
Embrace bolder romantic pieces for weekend wear. A bow backless sweater paired with high-waisted jeans creates an effortlessly chic look perfect for brunch or shopping. Add ankle boots and a crossbody bag to complete the ensemble.
Floral print blouses with puff sleeves work beautifully with denim or casual trousers. Layer with a leather jacket for an interesting contrast between tough and romantic elements.
Evening & Special Occasions
For evening events, let romantic details take centre stage. A floral lace V-neck top with ruffled sleeves paired with a sleek midi skirt creates an elegant, feminine look. Add heeled sandals and delicate jewellery.
Ribbon bow hair accessories can elevate even the simplest outfit for special occasions. A classic black dress becomes instantly more interesting with a statement bow hair clip.
Mixing Romantic with Modern Elements
Balance is Key
The secret to wearing romantic details without looking costume-like is balance. If you're wearing a heavily ruffled or bow-adorned top, keep your bottoms simple and modern. Conversely, a simple top can be elevated with romantic accessories.
Contrast Textures
Mix soft, romantic pieces with structured items. A delicate lace top looks contemporary when paired with leather trousers or a denim jacket. This contrast keeps the look current and wearable.
Modern Colour Palettes
While pastels are traditionally romantic, don't be afraid to embrace romantic details in modern colours. A bow-detail sweater in charcoal grey or navy feels fresh and contemporary while still embracing the trend.
Romantic Details for Every Body Type
Petite Frames
Choose smaller-scale romantic details like delicate bows or subtle ruffles. Avoid overwhelming volume that can swamp a petite frame. Fitted pieces with romantic accents work particularly well.
Curvy Figures
Embrace romantic details that enhance your silhouette. V-neck styles with ruffle details are particularly flattering, as are pieces with bow accents at the back rather than the front. Structured romantic pieces offer the best of both worlds.
Tall Frames
Tall women can carry dramatic romantic details beautifully. Balloon sleeves, oversized bows, and layered ruffles all work well. Don't shy away from volume - embrace it.
Accessorising the Romantic Trend
Hair Accessories
Ribbon bow hair clips and decorative hair accessories are an easy entry point into the romantic trend. They instantly elevate simple hairstyles and work with any outfit.
Jewellery Choices
Keep jewellery delicate and feminine when wearing romantic clothing details. Pearl earrings, thin gold chains, and minimalist pieces complement rather than compete with bows and ruffles.
Footwear
Ballet flats, Mary Janes, and delicate heeled sandals all complement romantic fashion details. For a more contemporary edge, try romantic tops with chunky boots or trainers.
Caring for Delicate Details
Pieces with bows, ruffles, and lace require gentle care. Always check care labels, and consider hand washing or using a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Iron ruffles and bows carefully on low heat, or use a steamer to refresh details without flattening them.
Building a Romantic Wardrobe
Start with versatile pieces that incorporate romantic details subtly. A bow-detail sweater in a neutral colour, a simple ruffled blouse, and a lace-trimmed top give you multiple styling options. As you become more comfortable with the trend, add bolder pieces with more dramatic details.
The Romantic Trend: Here to Stay
While fashion trends come and go, romantic details have proven staying power. These feminine touches add personality and charm to any wardrobe, offering a refreshing alternative to minimalist basics. Whether you embrace the trend fully or incorporate subtle romantic accents, there's a way to make this trend work for your personal style.
Shop Romantic Details for 2026
Explore our collection of bow-adorned sweaters, ruffled blouses, lace mesh tops, and romantic accessories. Each piece is carefully selected to bring feminine charm and contemporary style to your wardrobe. From subtle accents to statement pieces, discover how romantic details can transform your look this season.
Ready to embrace the romance? Start with one key piece and build from there. The beauty of this trend is its versatility - romantic details work for every occasion, every season, and every personal style.