My 1980s Sheets Are Suddenly Back in Style — and I’m Not Mad About It

My mom was big on Laura Ashley in the 1980s. Over the years my sister and I had several different patterns of the brand’s signature English cottage look, including some candy-striped, ruffled sheets. I never imagined those ruffle-edged sheets would be back in style, but suddenly flouncy hems are all the rage, with bedding reminiscent of my youth popping up at a variety of home retailers. And they look surprisingly… cool.

When I first spotted the trend in Society of Wanderers striped ruffled sheets, I thought, “Now there’s something different!” Here was color, pattern, and — gasp — a flouncy ruffle not far from Rachel Ashwell’s shabby chic but decidedly more modern in palette and print. The sheets felt like a welcome antidote to all the rather boring white, gray, and oatmeal-colored bedding from direct-to-consumer bedding brands. 

What sets the new ruffles apart from their vintage counterparts is that they’re constructed of linen instead of sateen and the patterns are a little more mod than the cabbage roses of years past. Today’s ruffled sheets are like today’s mom jeans: a tweak on the old school version that feels totally fresh.

When shopping for this kind of bedding, the key is to make sure the trend doesn’t overpower the rest of your room or pieces. If your ruffle is big and poofy, keep the pattern neutral and graphic. If you’re leaning more towards a classic white or cream palette, look for texture and a smaller-scale ruffle. Another good way to gauge a ruffle’s coolness? Peep the styling from the retailer (and the customer photos, if there are any) for a sense of if the sheets will vibe with your place.

Society of Wanderers ruffled sheets have become a social media darling in the year since I first spied them on Insta (I’ve since seen them in many an influencer’s home), but they’re still among my favorites. For more shopping inspiration, check out these other three modern ruffled sheet sets. One thing to keep in mind though? Ruffles and finer linen fabrics tend to go hand in hand, so price points are reflective of that. I’d shop for a classic color combo or something you really love to make sure you get your money’s worth out of them.

Serena & Lily has ruffles on the lineup for summer with their Nantucket Stripe Sheet Set. Cast in blue and white, these sheets embody the brand’s usual coastal-cool style.

Buy: Nantucket Stripe Sheet Set, Starting at $328.00 for a Twin Size from Serena & Lily

West Elm has a very subdued linen ruffle that comes in a whopping 20(!) colorways, so there’s sure to be something to match your decor. Personally, I’m grooving on the somewhat unexpected ‘Amber’ and ‘Golden Oak’ colors.

Buy: European Flax Linen Ruffle Sheet Set & Pillowcases, Starting at $200.00 for a Twin Set from West Elm

Everlasting Fabric is a California-based Etsy shop that has ruffled bedding options that stay just on the hipper side of Cottagecore style. If you’re looking for a duvet versus a sheet set, they’ve got you covered, literally.

Buy: Everlasting Ruffle Bed Set, Starting at $145.00 for a Queen Size from Etsy