Why is shirring so popular?

[OctopusSay]

It's uncomfortable and sweaty and removes any shape from your figure, but it seems to be everywhere for summer dresses this year.

It's fashion.
I don't like the big tiered dresses either. Not seen anyone look good in them

Fashion!

I actually quite like it.

And the big sleeves. Everyone looks like Sir Thomas More

I love it, means I can dress in pregnancy very easily without having to buy specific maternity wear!

I'm not keen but that said, I bought a really pretty top in M&S the other week that has a judicious amount of shirring and it's very flattering, even on my massive Norks.

Aha lady, you're going have to link your naice m and s top pls.

Shirting is the elasticated bits, like a boob tube? If so, it would be nice if they were lined because otherwise they chafe or itch.

Ooo I love shirred dresses! Very flattering!

From a retailer's point of view it's a cost-effective way of creating garments that will fit the most potential customers, without having to shape the fabric by more complex tailoring such as darts, zips etc which won't fit so many body shapes. Cheap & easy manufacturing seems to dictate a lot of modern trends - see also loose voluminous shapes and lots of viscose!

I think a bit of shirring can look nice but it brings to mind the dresses my mum made me as a little girl in the 80s. The whole bodice shirred panel always seems to give me one huge horizontal boob.

‘I don't like the big tiered dresses either. Not seen anyone look good in them’

Agree. Most dresses are tiered at the moment. I hate them. It’s like 2010-2014 again when midi length dresses disappeared from the shops. Everything was mid thigh.

I like it, although not paired with the voluminous sleeves, which I'm not a fan of. I have one sleeveless top in beige/brown and a black dress, with shirred bodice.

I'd like a red or brown floral shirred top, not too cropped, no frills or large sleeves.

@Mumsnut

And the big sleeves. Everyone looks like Sir Thomas More

Love this! They do.

The tiered dresses are ok if you are as a pp said pregnant.
Shirring and puffed sleeves add inches

It's great if you have big boobs, tops have more chance of fitting. However, I agree it's not the most flattering style and I do wish we had some tops with a fitted waist and darts to give shape. It's easy for the manufacturers.

@LadyOfTheCanyon Please share the M&S top!

It’s cheap and easy to make

Nice M&S too

www.marksandspencer.com/printed-regular-fit-3-4-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60543488?color=MULTI

*top

Thank you! Too high necked for me, with boobs.

I love shirring around the bust as it makes it so much easier to find a dress that fits. An empire line also suits me so that works too.

I don’t want too much puff and flounce though. Or any actually!

That IS nice, dear. Might have to take a trip into Worcester to see if any instore ! Thank you.

@TulipsGarden

Thank you! Too high necked for me, with boobs.

I thought so too and I'm 38F. But somehow just works on me and I'm normally wedded to V necks!

38F here too! I can't do anything that doesn't show my collarbones, it just doesn't work. Hooray for finding a top that suits you though!

@Mumsnut Sir Thomas More 😆

Shirring is so redolent of the 1980s, I grew up then & instinctively love the fashion of the period. I generally find that when I try shirred clothes on they make me look older than my 46 years, but I recently bought this dress from M&S & it's great (only 34DD norks here though 😀)

It’s really easy to make, compared to anything that needs to be fitted in any way. Therefore cheaper to manufacture.

I bought a really nice black strapless beach dress with shirring in M&S last week but had to size up.

I love shirring (and smocking for that matter). Not the flouncy sleeves that often go with the look at the moment though. On the chest area it’s quite supportive too if the fabric’s thick so you can sometimes get away without a bra.