Check out Hailey Baldwin’s $4,880 street style!
A-listers assert their right to bear big arms with the puffed-out sleeve style. We tell you why this, why now
The Celebrity Stylist Says
“In a clever move away from skin-tight, flesh-baring fashion, Hollywood’s hottest are letting loose in frocks and tops with theatrical sleeves for a statement that’s whimsical yet still chic and dramatic,” says stylist Jack Eustace, who dressed Keltie Knight in her vintage Yves Saint Laurent off-the-shoulder puffed-sleeve top, below. “Exaggerated sleeves upgrade any look with a fresh, youthful vibe — plus, the extra fabric can make other parts of the body look even slimmer in comparison!” The Hollywood secret to success in substantial sleeves? Proportion. “Pairing big sleeves with fitted basics on the bottom — like Keltie’s miniskirt, Taryn’s semi-sheer tights or Kendall’s cutoffs — ensures a lean look overall.”
The Designer Says
“Women want to wear the clothes that suit their personality, and this modern twist on the sharp shoulders of the ’80s shows that women today are bohemian and glamorous,” says designer Dennis Basso, who features the dramatic detail in his eponymous label. The fabric used helps determine the feeling of the look, he adds. “Chiffon is soft and feminine while taffeta has an air of strength.”
The Psychologist Says
“Oversize sleeves represent a woman’s desire to disrupt the norms associated with conventional femininity,” says Ariane Machin, PH.D., a clinical psychologist in Raleigh, N.C. “One who wears a garment with pronounced pieces is making her presence known and asserting control over her body.” And the sleeve structure speaks volumes: Baggy like Thandie’s says, “I’m grounded” while winged like Kate’s Jil Sander says, “I’m a free spirit.”