It’s a rick rack revival! (Okay, I just love how that sounds.) Last year we had a little fun with the squiggle trend that was and still is circulating in the design world, with soft curves hugging everything from handmade mugs to candles, accessories, and more. But, while similar, the rick rack (or ricrac, or ric-rac, however you want to spell it out) revival features a distinctive nod to vintage fashion and textiles from eras past. Consider:
This dress pattern image currently floating around insta (the reverse image search led me here), which brings me back to my crafty college days spent thrift shopping for rick rack, seam binding and lace trim I could never pass up, even though I didn’t know how to sew.
Nowadays, vintage, or vintage-inspired more likely, rick rack can be seen adorning all sorts of clothing and home goods. Colorful rick rack is a hallmark of Spanish brand Celia B‘s vibrant designs, which present traditional motifs in fresh ways. They’re one of the first places I saw (modern) rick rack dresses pop up… I sense a lot of other color-loving designers have been influenced by their vibrant pieces.
Lilac and lime was such a yummy color combo last year, I’m glad it’s sticking around! These rick rack napkins from Appreciation Project are handmade in the UK, and come in a few more fun colorways.
Colombian designer Maygel Coronel‘s FORMA two-piece swimsuit features wave detailing that ties into a dramatic knot at the back.
Twins and shout make the “happiest placemats you can find” with rick rack borders in cute color combos.
These AMAZING notecards by Swell Press (see our interview with founder Britt here!) give me all the vintage rick rack vibes with their scallops and color. They’re coming to her shop soon!
One of my favorite iterations of the trend comes from Melbourne designer Kuwaii, in a linen pant set. Oversized ricrac? Surprisingly chic.
Fizz Goes Pop’s wiggle hair clips channel the rick rack fun.
If you’re nostalgic for the pattern, sleepwear brand Morgan Lane x Candyland is your dream collab!
Bert & May offers an entire Ric Rack Collection of interior tiles designed by Samantha Todhunter, ready to adorn spaces like this lovely bathroom photographed by Jonathan Bond Photography.
Okay, one more in the tabletop department: French designer Léa Sionneau has the cutest Etsy shop full of upcycled scrunchies, BIG ric-rac embellished place mats, and charming art prints. Also, can my every meal include a block of parm?
My love of these waves goes so deep that I had to take a visit to my local vintage craft shop and pick up a few yards for old times’ sake. Aren’t they fun? 10 years later, I still don’t sew, but sure can hot glue ribbon to a greeting card, so I think that’s what I’ll do. Not just a revival, but a rainbow rick rack revival… Too cute!
Edit: I ended up using my newfound vintage trims to wrap the napkin sets we sell in the shop! A fun little detail I hope our customers love.
