Even the oldest fashion trends you can think of will eventually make a comeback, with tweaks and adaptations to suit the modern world, but everything tends to repeat in some way. This is exactly what’s happening today with romantic style, which is appealing to women of all generations.
However, these fashion comebacks always come with modifications, so don’t worry – you won’t have to dress exactly like your great-great-grandmother. The modern romantic style is chic, designed for the 21st-century woman who needs to stay active but doesn’t want to lose her sense of style.
In this article, we’ll cover everything about the romantic look, from its origins and why it’s making a comeback, to its key characteristics and how you can adapt it and wear it today without losing your personal style.
A brief trip down memory lane: How the romantic style originated
Romanticism emerged at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th, when the artistic vanguard was characterised by emphasising nature and feminine beauty, often presented through delicate and meticulously crafted works. Looking at artworks from these periods, you will see portraits of women in long dresses, frills, and muted colours such as white, dark pink, and others.
This translated into fashion, with garments that continued this legacy, allowing high-quality fabrics, frills, and prints (mainly floral) to take centre stage. The uniqueness of this style was that it was not exclusive to the European upper classes; rather, the best of all classes added their own personal touch.
Every woman knew how to embroider at the time, so even women working as maids often had at least one garment with their own floral embroidery or additional frills for going out. This made the romantic style extremely popular, eventually reaching North America, particularly among the aristocracy of the United States and Mexico by the end of the 1800s.
During the 1900s, this romantic style in fashion began to fade as a popular trend. Women experimented with numerous styles, but in fashion and history, everything is cyclical, so it was destined to make a triumphant comeback.
Why is the Romantic Revival Happening Now?
As we mentioned, everything gets recycled and resurfaces, even trends that some people thought had been buried in the past. It should come as no surprise that the romantic style is making its comeback in 2024, as few fashions have managed to blend comfort with elegance in the way this one has.
In the early 2010s, as neon colours began to fade and women embraced a minimalist style, the return of a fashion trend like romanticism seemed almost impossible. However, the truth is that romantic fashion offers a brilliant middle ground, allowing individuals to experiment with fabrics, designs, and types of garments, playing with the level of extravagance they wish to display.
Moreover, in recent years, younger generations have become increasingly captivated by astrology and holistic living. Romantic fashion serves as a tool to embrace this style, enabling women to express their connection to nature through their clothing, be it a blouse or any other garment.
This year, influencers from North America and Europe have declared the return of romantic fashion, alongside other conservative styles like cottagecore and coquette. While these may seem like just social media trend names, the reality is that young women around the world who are seeking a more sophisticated and feminine style are finding a reflection of themselves in romantic fashion.
Key Elements of Romance: Fabrics, Colors, and Details Defining the Trend
Now that you know more about the history and reasons behind the romantic style’s revival, let’s explore what defines this trend. While embroidery and ruffles are its most recognisable elements, there are also different fabrics and colours that define this style.
When it comes to fabrics, quality is key. Typically, romantic fashion features materials such as viscose satin, 100% cotton, linen, and other natural textiles. The goal is for the fabrics to be loose and flowy rather than body-hugging, as this gives the garments a soft, ethereal effect even if they don’t feature ruffles.
As for colours, there’s a bit more room for flexibility today. Floral prints are always a popular choice, but you can also go for something more traditional like solid pinks, soft blues, whites, and pastels. The modern version of romantic fashion allows for experimenting with slightly more muted or opaque shades as well.
Regarding details, ruffles, and embroidery are essential. Embroidery often features natural motifs, such as flowers, but some people opt for designs with birds, butterflies, or other symbols of nature. Feel free to choose patterns that resonate with your personality, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone with bold or unexpected designs.
Not Your Grandma’s Romantic Look: How to Wear It Now
Ready to put this style into practice? Here at Hartwell Clothing, we have the perfect pieces to help you embrace the romantic look while keeping it modern and chic. No matter your age or whether you’re headed to the countryside or the city, these garments will be your best allies in rocking romantic fashion with pride.
Our MALU Plain Frill-Neck Luxury Blouse, available in pink, sky blue, and white, is an essential item for this style. The pearl buttons elevate the elegance, and its neutral colours make it easy to pair with trousers or skirts in any hue.
For bolder blouse options, the HILLA White luxury blouse, and the MALU Red Birds Luxury Blouse are fantastic choices. Their prints perfectly capture the romantic aesthetic while maintaining delicacy and ease of pairing with your existing wardrobe.
Apart from them, you can complete your look with a MALU Flying Pheasants Frill-Neck Luxury Blouse and the SUE luxury cotton shirt with LYCRA for a more classic, refined style. Pair either with sleek trousers or a pencil skirt to make a stylish statement, or go casual with jeans for a relaxed but polished look.
If you’re looking ahead to warmer days or want to pair it with leggings, the ALINA Colourful Flowers Dress is ideal for continuing to showcase this style. It’s free from ruffles but made with loose, printed fabric that still conveys movement, and its viscose satin material is absolutely to die for.
Give Your Own Twist to Romantic Style
We hope this article serves as a guide, but now it’s your turn to put your own spin on the romantic style. Get ready to embrace a fashion trend that allows you to feel comfortable, without losing your elegance, while staying on top of the latest trends.
