Tulle takeover is in full swing. SS17 set the precedent for the fabric du jour, with an array of designers incorporating the delicate material into their collections, from Gucci to Marques’Almeida, via Jacquemus and Off-White.
You could call it the Molly Goddard effect. The young London-based designer has certainly made her mark, championing the fabric since her first show in Spring/Summer 2014. Her signature smocking, pleating and crocheting has turned the joys of the childhood dressing-up box into legit partywear. Just see Rihanna sporting Goddard’s lime-green ‘Sophie’ dress on her coffee run.
Traditionally reserved for wedding veils and ballet tutus, tulle is the dream foundation for ruffles, frills and flounces. Gucci showed us pastel fondant treats in layered hemlines and puffed-up sleeves, while Dior’s red, white and black tulle midi skirts were embroidered with plants, insects and hearts. There’s certainly been a return to more feminine dressing of late, and tulle takes centre stage.
While Goddard’s princess pieces are perfect for parties, and designers like Maria Grazia Chiuri stayed true to the delicacy of the fabric, tulle wasn’t confined to typically girly pieces for SS17. Marques’Almeida presented tulle sleeves emerging from their trademark denim shell top, while Saint Laurent kept things (extremely) sexy with swaths of tulle tucked into a leather skirt-to-corset number. Across the board, the fabric was paired with sportswear, slogan sweatshirts, and wide-legged trousers – proof that tulle needn’t mean Tinkerbell.
Click through to see a selection of our favourite pieces to get your hands on right now, to dress up, dress down, and everything in between.
Feast your eyes on Simone Rocha's entire SS17 collection of tulle treats.
Simone Rocha Bead-Embellished Tulle Skirt, £695, available at Matches Fashion
The flame emoji's influence reaches far and wide, and this part-sheer number is ideal for confusing winter-to-spring transition weather.
The Ragged Priest Mesh Back Tee with Flame Print, £38, available at Topshop
The ultimate candy-floss party dress from the queen of tulle.
Molly Goddard Funky Dress in Pink, £720, available at Dover Street Market
Pair this iridescent mint-green T-shirt with your favourite work trousers.
Light Before Dark Liquid T-Shirt, £28, available at Urban Outfitters
For those who aren't on board with pretty pastels and amped-up girliness but still want to tap into the tulle takeover.
TOGA Sequin and Ruffle-Embellished Tulle Dress, £562, available at Matches Fashion
Go low-key with Zara's camo shirt.
Zara Camouflage Tulle T-Shirt, £15, available at Zara
It's all in the details with this satin offering – layer over a roll neck while the weather is still rubbish.
Mother of Pearl Sabina Tulle-Trimmed Sateen Top, £195, available at Net-A-Porter
Soften your punky classic leather with baby-blue tulle.
Reclaimed Vintage Tulle Midi Skirt, £35, available at ASOS
Tulle is super-versatile – wear this Mango piece over dresses, jeans, hoodies...
Mango Sequin Tulle Dress, £35.99, available at Mango
Round two from Molly Goddard; there is no way you wouldn't have fun wearing this.
Molly Goddard Oksana Dress in Navy/Black, £995, available at Molly Goddard
No need for a Valentine with these oh-so-cute knickers.
L'Agent by Agent Provocateur Flossie Embroidered Tulle Briefs, £25, available at Net-A-Porter
Team this power-pop red showstopper with your favourite pair of kicks.
Topshop Giant Tutu Tulle Skirt, £65, available at Topshop
This sheer baby is best worn over band tees and slogan sweatshirts.
Zara Tulle Contrast T-Shirt, £17.99, available at Zara
Another gem for layering up – who said tulle had to be super-feminine?
Mother of Pearl Delphia Embellished Tulle Midi Skirt, £295, available at Net-A-Porter
We love the gathered sleeves and hemline on this dress.
The Ragged Priest Ruffle Mesh Midi Dress, £45, available at Topshop
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