Frilly is gathered and convoluted. Frilly is ultra feminine and, at first blush, the opposite of feminism. Frills imply a preoccupation with the trifling. Add jingle bells to frills and you are a court jester. Generally, frills, ruffles or bell sleeves are not added to men’s attire unless it’s ceremonial.
Way back in the 1970s, the standard black-suit attire for men included a frilly dinner shirt. Reminding us that men, at their best, are a little bit ladylike. Check out George Lazenby, playing the ultimate he-man — 007. He knew how to add a sweet flourish to his manly personage.
Frills at the wrist, when gesticulation is involved, can appear like a set of pom poms being shaken. Waving or gesturing wildly, while wearing a frilly cuff, is more like cheering; an encouragement. And of course, jazz hands are greatly improved with a frilly cuff. The jazz hand was invented to showcase the frilly cuff.
And forget about cleaning the kitchen in frilly cuffs. BUT YOU CAN sign a contract with a frilly cuff, diagnose a disease, deliver a TED talk or fly a plane, not to mention delegate authoritatively.
If all ambitious women wore a frill we might remind men that strong and wise and independent doesn’t necessarily look masculine. Wear a frill and move your hands about dramatically and often, you’ll be cheering on the sisterhood.
The Chloe Puff Sleeve Shirt in silk with frilled cuffs I've drawn (left) is the ideal militant feminist cheerleading garb. See the actual Chole shirt here.