Sleeve trends might sound like something that only your great-aunt and Laura Ingalls Wilder would have been into (brown calico, leg o' mutton, and with lace at the hems, in case anyone was curious). With all the other weird, wonderful, wacky things going on in womenswear, your sleeves seem like the most boring thing to change around. But, hear us out — sleeves aren't the most obvious outfit focal point, but you notice when they do something different. Bell sleeves caught on like wildfire last year, and it was a novel way to give your old standbys like LBDs and plain white shirts a high-fashion spin. So, what's next?
We looked to Marni as our crystal ball; this collection was all about shapes, and Consuelo Castiglioni paid special attention to the arms. With bulbous, ballooning peasant sleeves; sharply structured sleeves, and cleverly cropped ones, the arm shapes in this show may not be simple to wear, but they make a big impact. Click through to see the five we're strong-arming you into for fall.
Balloon Sleeve
With elastic wrists and cinched elbows, balloon sleeves are going to be everything this summer, as the more advanced version of last year's peasant-style tops. We love how they look with a high collar and worn with more streamlined pieces, but if you want to go full Little House on the Prairie, that's cool, too.
Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images.
Spaghetti Sleeve
Extra-long, spaghetti-sauce-magnet sleeves are happening already with the street style set. To try it yourself, look for sleeves that are slim through the arms and extend at least past your knuckles. To keep it from looking like you're drowning in fabric, make sure the body of your shirt is on the slimmer side, and complete the outfit with your most killer platforms.
Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images.
Culotte Sleeve
Three-quarter length, tube-shaped, and just wide enough, these sleeves are basically the culottes of your arms. We love how Marni styled it up as a two-piece suit, and we think it'd look just as chic as a minidress (wear it in the winter with a turtleneck underneath).
Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images.
Elbow Room Sleeve
This tapered sleeve starts out tight at the shoulders, expands outward, and then goes back in again at the wrist. It works best with thicker fabrics like heavy knits and tech materials.
Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images.
Kimono Sleeves
Billowing and oversized, this sleeve looks just as good in a stiffer, structured fabric as it does in a delicate silk. Make sure the crop of it ends just above your wrists. Look for this sleeve shape in minidresses, light jackets, and tunics.
Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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