By Nancy Schoeffler and Photographs by MARIA VALENTINO | MCV Photo
Hartford Magazine
Jul 15, 2019 12:30 PM
A supple blouse in a bronze print by Nicky Zimmermann is designed with billowing sleeves, long cuffs, ruffles and a bow at the neck. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
We’re in the midst of sleeveless weather, but before you know it we’ll be bidding a farewell to arms.
Fortunately, fashion designers have plenty of new tricks up their sleeves for fall.
Puffy sleeves were a hit last year, and they are back again, bigger and bolder. Sometimes the poufs are gathered or shirred or the shoulder is dropped, but they all create a dressed-up, party feeling.
A variation is the leg-of-mutton sleeve, voluminous on the upper arm and tapering to a tight fit from the elbow to the wrist. This style was hugely popular during the Belle Époque, when the pouf ballooned to huge proportions, sometimes supported with strips of whalebone. Today’s puffed sleeves are softer and easier for a modern woman to wear.
Look, too, for long bell sleeves, sleeves with splits, sleeves in contrasting colors, sleeves with ruffles at the shoulder, puffed sleeves in sheer lace or netting, billowing peasant blouse sleeves and more. Whatever style suits you, you’ll be well-armed.
From Oscar de La Renta, a spare peasant blouse gathered at the neckline and wrists is tucked into an opulent, embroidered wrap skirt. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Ulla Johnson’s classic Victorian-inspired silhouette is transformed into a modern-day prairie look with a medley of shimmering patterns, a covered-up neckline and the all-important leg-of-mutton sleeves. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Phillip Lim’s easy cotton top with split sleeves is tucked into utility pants. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Sally LaPointe’s cropped lavender sweater with extra long belled sleeves is paired with a snakeskin skirt. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
An evening blouse by Zimmermann with big, pouffed sleeves in sheer lace with ruffles at the shoulder is worn over sash-tied black pants. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Lela Rose’s fluid floral midi dress with classic leg-of-mutton sleeves has a loose tie at the neck to keep it from looking too prim. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Carolina Herrera’s brilliant orange easy shift is updated with billowing sleeves gathered at the wrist. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Zimmermann’s shirred and ruffled floral dress worn with coordinating thigh-high boots is accented with billowing sleeves gathered into wide tight cuffs. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Ulla Johnson’s sashed and top-stitched jumpsuit in ivory denim has pouffed sleeves that balloon from dropped shoulders. (MCV Photo)
Tory Burch’s slender black sheath has dramatic, contrasting shirred sleeves, held by streaming ribbons. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Coach’s zip-front fleece jacket in deep blue is designed with contrasting burgundy sleeves. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)
Kate Spade’s ’40s-inspired leopard print dress has modified leg-of-mutton sleeves, puffed at the shoulder and shirred above the elbow. (MARIA VALENTINO/MCV Photo)