Ruffling Feathers

1. Herringbone V Neck Blouse by Built By Wendy, $176; builtbywendy.com, 2. Marisa Plaid Dress, $44; delias.com, 3. Suede Ruffle Tote Bag by Felix Rey, $598; felixrey.com, 4. Ruffle Bootie by Pour La Victoire, $285; nordstrom.com, 5. Printed Ruffle Front Dress by Silence & Noise, $58; urbanoutfitters.com.

From Oscar de la Renta, to Bill Blass, ruffles have been a fashion mainstay for decades. Like most trends, we've seen ruffles fall in and out of favor, but if New York Fashion Week has taught us anything, it's that they're back with a vengeance. Fight off the mental image of Jerry Seinfeld's puffy pirate shirt, and embrace the flirty elegance of Valentino glamor. Both Diane Von Furstenburg and Marc Jacobs' latest collections flaunted feminine frills, but that's not to say that this type of embellishment can't be edgy. Like most of the trends I gravitate towards, ruffled pieces can be paired with more simplistic structured pieces to create an exciting blend of hard and soft. Rocking an angelic Built By Wendy V Neck Blouse with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans is perfect for work and play. Even Michelle Obama is in on the trend, looking fashionable and feminine as she does volunteer work across the country. Let's follow the First Lady's lead on this one, and who knows what good fortune will smile upon us.