Funny, I just bought the Kate Spade Candy Shop Stripe one last weekend. The picture doesn't do it justice - it's so pretty in person. Really brightens up my dull bathroom and makes me smile!

Ooh, I see much DIY potential here with fabric flowers/ruffles sewn onto a plain shower curtain. Thanks for the inspiration.

I thought I was being extravagant when I spent $32 to buy a couple of saris on eBay to make my own shower curtain. Now I see I was being incredibly thrifty.

There are few things that I hate more than floral print and/or ruffles.

Number 3 is awesome, but those prices?!?! Eeeek! I don't know if I'd pay $100+ for a new quilt for my bed let alone a shower curtain.

(and the "budget" one from JC Penney's... Yuck.)

Yeah! Sewing a shower curtain is a cinch. Seriously, I make a curtain like 'custom ruffles' in less than 30 minutes. Probably costs me $10. The fabric store options are endless--even at the high end ($15 a yard) you'd be hard-pressed to spend more than $50. I have a 4/5 that I made and keep in rotation.

Very pretty shower curtains but I can't bring myself to buy one more than $40 bucks. The ones that are close to a $100 and over just seem too expensive. Really?

I guess I'm of the opinion that if you keep feeling the itch to change elements of your home purely for their aesthetic value (as opposed to changing spacial needs), it's probably because you didn't pick something you loved enough in the first place.

I'm usually not the biggest fan of ombre, but that last one from BB&B is beautiful!

Also a question for those going the DIY route - do you use any sort of special fabric since the curtain might get wet (and will definitely get humid)? Or is it not critical if you use one of those vinyl liner curtains as well?

I have a claw foot tub in my ancient apartment's bathroom, so I inevitably have to buy two shower curtains at once. I don't know that I'd feel comfortable dropping that much money on any of the above. I went the Ikea route, so I don't feel so sick to the stomach when my cat claws them.

Target has some really pretty ruffled and appliqued shower curtains for 30 to 40 bucks. I just bought this one and I love it:

http://www.target.com/p/Target-Home-Rouched-Shower-Curtain/-/A-13950035

>>>JOCO, for DIY I mainly use cotton fabrics that can be easily laundered and dries quickly--because yes, they get wet and dirty. I use a fabric liner, but a vinyl liner should be enough protetion for most fabrics...unless you are I think the most important aspects are that you pick something that is color-fast and washable. For like $20 you can't go too wrong...

I'm pretty happy with my shower curtain. It's solid navy blue and cost me about $10 at IKEA. It's versatile, machine washable, isn't plasticky, and doesn't require a liner. I like that I can save my money for fancier bath items, like towels from John Derian!

The ruffled shower curtain looks like giant pair of frilly underwear hang-drying in front of the tub.

This may be an oxymoron but are there any masculine shower curtains out there?

I have a wonderful French shower curtain that's perfect for my place by the beach. It's clear plastic with aqua stripes and female swimmers in vintage suits and caps. I have had it for several years and I adore it. It is showing signs of wear and I haven't been able to find another one like it. Apparently it's no longer available. But I like the vintage swimsuit one now offered by Garnet Hill.

@rickdavies Try Izola http://www.izola.com/collections/peva-shower-curtain

I know a lot of people are reacting to the price tags, but a shower curtain makes a big statement so I think it's worth it, if you love it. I sucked it up and bought this one last year, I really like it:

http://www.designpublic.com/thomas-paul-shower-curtain-octopus?utm_source=Google%20Base&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=Thomas%20Paul%20Shower%20Curtain%20-%20Octopus

RICKIE DAVIS: I was thinking the exact same thing and I'm a gal. Most of these curtains seem to be geard towards the women readers.

JWTX: I agree with you!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cheetah one. Oh wait, it's cause that's what I have in MY bathroom! :o)

Urban Outfitters has chevron curtains like #6 for only $44.

These curtains seem to be geared toward the 12 year old girl market.

I have a few white curtains that I switch out from time to time - one is a white seersucker, one is a white waffle, and one is a white linen.

Just can't climb aboard the ruffle train; tailored all the way, here. Like Sherria Tric, I stick with white and off-white, in linen or textured cotton, and use paint, tiles, and wall decor to liven things up a bit. An expanse of natural materials is soothing and spa-like to me. Because I grew up sewing, I can't swallow those price tags when it's so easy to make a shower curtain and discount fabric is easy to find (estate sales, burlap, coupons for JoAnns, drop cloths, Home Goods deals). But of course, home decor is a matter of taste and budget, and clearly many people like ruffles and colorful patterns.

calling this selection "best" is extremely dubious. but i understand how such a change makes a difference. i have a beautiful blue/yellow striped one from macy's that looks amazing in natural light. but my current place doesn't get any natural light in the bathroom, so i bought this one and it really lightened up the feeling in that tiny room:

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3596924

target has loads of cool patterns including three in their "boho boutique" collection.

aphrochic has the most awesome. "brooklyn life" is too good for a bathroom.

oh and bliss living home has really interesting ones too.

If you're a poor recent college grad like myself, looking for shower curtains can be depressing- a degree in hand and I can't even have a cool piece of fabric in my bathroom? I decided to make my own, with a vintage deadstock sheet, my sewing machine, and a clear plastic liner. I hemmed, hand sewed buttonholes, and hung it. It makes my bathroom look so much more cheerful! Best part of all.. I spent $8 on the sheet, 2.50 on the clear liner.

A lot of these are super cute, but I love the ones from Sin in Linen, especially the all glitter ones! Tacky in the best way and makes me smile!
http://www.sininlinen.com/home-decor/sequin_items/

Great post. For the diy-challenged (or sewing-challenged, like me *sigh*), slip a flat sheet over a tension rod & hang it in front of a ho-hum dollar store vinyl liner on the [usually] permanently installed rod in the typical rental. Scour your locat thrift or dollar store for a pattern that speaks to YOU personally *Get the look* for half, a third, even a tenth of the designer price. It can be done....and done WELL on a budget....or no budget, as circumstances warrant.

Anthropologie!! What are they smoking over there at their pricing department?!! That ordinal bureau for $998!!!!!!, and then that ruffle shower curtain for over $100--insane, esp when you can get the same thing for $40 at BB&B
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=18140420&RN=10&

I recently splurged the $118 for the Anthropologie ruffled curtain (in shades of blue and pale green, not the one pictured). Totally worth it. (And I looked at the BB&B knockoff and it just wasn't the same, sorry katemc) :-) I don't spend frivolously but when I absolutely adore something, I save up and get it (within limits, of course).

Hemp curtains are an excellent option, as it's a natural material & the weave is so tight you don't need a liner. After your shower, all you do is wring out the excess water & let it drip dry inside the tub. It's pricey, around $90, but they last a long time.

I don't mind ruffles per se, but not in a bathroom. I prefer simple shower curtains.

That cheetah one is awful... looks like a brothel bathroom!

Until recently, I had this one and loved it: http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/80203334/

I like using two fabric shower curtains (over the water proof vinyls) you can open like curtains: one curtain in a solid neutral and one with a bright pattern.