Ruffles have been a cyclical fashion embellishment since the days of Queen Victoria, and the runway shows for spring and summer ’08 were once again spilling over with billowy layers of them on everything from gowns to T-shirts to jackets. These aren’t the stiff, scratchy, froufrou ruffles you had when you were six years old. Today’s ruffles are impossibly chic and elegantly dramatic.

Ruffles inherently command a sense of romantic femininity and, while for some this is a style trend, for others like Lisa Osei of Honey Love Design Boutique (formerly Room 430 Boutique, 430 Homer Street), it’s more of a style philosophy. She represents the neoromantics, who use ruffles in all their coquettish glory to give us the modern-day Lady. Since Osei launched her line five years ago, her bustles (starting at $115) have been her signature pieces, with orders coming in from around the world. Made from many layers of cotton or silk with lace trim, these ruffled accessories can be tied around jackets, jeans, or a skirt to add instant whimsy and charm to an otherwise conservative outfit. Almost equally popular are the designer’s pencil skirt ($159) and short-shorts ($89) with built-in bustles.

Ruffles are such a small detail, yet add so much interest to a garment. They instantly transform the usual and functional into something visually and texturally commanding. This spring, H&M introduces a black leather jacket with subtle ruffles at the shoulders, balanced by a row of soft gathers under the front shoulder yoke and gathered cuffs ($129).

Hometown hero Chulo Pony excels at combining feminine touches with fabulously modern pieces. Its items are effortlessly urban yet also timeless, so you can trust these ruffles are entrenched in classic tailoring, and never over the top. The Lilianne jacket is a lightweight linen-cotton blend with simple lines and minimal yet voluminous ruffles. The sleeves cinch up above the wrists, creating a pretty frame for the hands, and the collar similarly ruffles upwards to showcase your face. The Veronica top is a frothy delight that cleverly uses layers and draping of subtly different materials to create the softest textures as ruffles are created through a self-front tie.

No matter how you wear your ruffles, remember to keep everything balanced. Unless you’re a flamenco dancer, it’s best to skip the head-to-toe froth fest. Limit your ensemble to one ruffly piece and let it take the spotlight as you sashay about town.