Cold Shoulder Ruched Top

Ruching is one of those details that quietly earns its keep. Gathered through the body, it breaks up a flat surface into soft folds that catch the light and follow your shape instead of hanging straight down. Add the cold shoulder cutouts and the frill trim and you have a top that looks considered even when you pulled it on in four minutes before dinner.

The fabric is 95% polyester and 5% elastane, which makes it slightly stretchy. That small amount of give matters on a ruched piece, because the gathers need to be able to open and settle as you move rather than pull tight and stay there. Features include frill, ruffled, ruched and tied detailing. Sizing runs S through XL with bust measuring 30.7 inches at S and 37 inches at XL. Note that those are the garment measurements laid flat before the stretch is taken up, so read them alongside the give in the blend rather than as a hard ceiling. Length sits between roughly 22.6 and 24.2 inches, which puts the hem near the waist.

The obvious pairing is a high waisted jean or a tailored short, since the shorter body of this top wants a rise that meets it. For evening, tuck it into a slim midi skirt and let the shoulder cutouts do the work in place of jewellery. Keep earrings small and skip a necklace so the neckline stays uncluttered. Black is the safe choice, though the pink and light yellow both photograph beautifully in warm light if you want something less expected.

Why you will love it

• Cold shoulder cutouts with frill trim
• Ruched gathering through the body
• Ruffled and tied detailing
• Material composition: 95% polyester, 5% elastane
• Stretch: slightly stretchy
• Available in Black, Pink, Light Yellow and Light Blue
• Sizes S through XL

Care

• Machine wash cold
• Tumble dry low