Puff sleeves aren’t going anywhere this season. Add volume to sleeves and shoulders for a look that’s inherently feminine feel.
OTT puffy sleeves are having a moment. Although fashion has flirted with the idea, this season, the trend has gone full throttle. They’ve attached to blouses, dresses, tailoring and knitwear in a flurry of femininity.
If you’re flirting with the idea, but can’t shake the ‘80s Dynasty/ Disney Princess connotations, then a puff-sleeve top and pair of straight-leg cropped jeans would make for a worthy initiation. The best styles also offer a slightly softer sleeve – something that is ruched at the shoulder, billows out and is nipped back in just above the elbow.
Of course you don’t have to look any further than the streets of fashion week to see just how well runway converts to reality. According to the fashion pack, pared-back accessories and minimal make-up are the best accompaniments.
You can always rely on Copenhagen Fashion week to dish up a lesson in achingly-hip style, too, whether it is the women gracing the streets or the trends walking off the runway. Cecilie Bahnsen’s AW19 show was a master class in volume. The LVMH Prize finalist draws upon Danish heritage for inspiration and her show was a stream of pretty silhouettes and exaggerated sculpted sleeves. Ganni also favoured big sleeves for both this season, and next.
Elsewhere, Preen and Alessandra Rich were in sync with their message – puff sleeves atop a mini dress equals sartorial success. At Rejina Pyo it was the puff-sleeve Bardot-top hybrid that provided all the shoulder detail.
The message is abundantly clear, larger-than-life sleeves are this season’s most romantic trademark, shop the look, now.
- Words by Elaine Lloyd-Jones
- Images: Getty images, GoRunway.com
