From billowing bishop sleeves to precision-folded pleats, see how sleeves are shouldering the fashion show’s main act.
Remember the time when by sleeves we just meant those plain arm coverings? The good news – the days of obsolete fashion are over. Now the humble sleeve is making a grand comeback with a full-blown makeover – stealing the spotlight on runways, red carpets and your Insta feed. What's special about these sleeves, you ask? Think your regular sleeves have been jazzed up with drama, volume, structure, and sheer, unadulterated style. These modern sleeves are more like “wearable sculpture” than just “arm coverings.”
So, without any further ado, let's dive straight into those statement sleeves that are dominating the global fashionscape.
The most popular of all – puffed sleeves are not just those little poofs at the shoulder, they are full-on, sublime, billowing volumes which add on a sense of drama and resplendence to your couture. We are talking about the Bishop sleeve, which is characterized by yards of luxurious fabric gathering softly at the cuff, thus shaping this gorgeous, romantic balloon effect down your arm. It screams femininity, glamour, and it instantly embellishes even the simplest of slip dresses or crisp shirts.
Remember Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’ music video? It starred Zoey Deutch alongside the singer. The American actress and producer showed up in a bright and gorgeous yellow jumpsuit featuring statement, voluminous Bishop sleeves at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at Beverly Hilton Hotel. The marigold coloured jumpsuit was designed by Fendi, and Zoey absolutely nailed the look. The fun part is many celebs like Olivia Colman, Kaitlyn Dever, Isla Fisher, among others, chose to opt for voluminous puffed and ballooned sleeves at the 77th Golden Globes. Bishop sleeves have been rocking the red carpets for quite some time.
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Our very own B-town diva Deepika Padukone walked the red carpet at a 2018 event dressed in a white gown designed by Falguni and Shane Peacock. The custom made pristine white gown featured a plunging V-neckline, with gargantuan Bishop sleeves which added a dash of drama and sophistication to her already elegant look. The gown featured a fish-cut skirt which draped itself smoothly around Deepika's slim silhouette. The train of the gown was not that long or dramatic given the sleeves, but they sure did add the right amount of that royal, sweeping effect. She wrapped a metallic belt around her waist, and kept her makeup extremely minimal focusing solely on the deeply kohled eyes. She put her hair up in a tight bun. The ‘Cocktail’ star looked marvelous in the ensemble.
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Pleated sleeves boast a powerful structure with sharp folds and intricate detailing. Pleated sleeves are extremely versatile – think delicate knife pleats that add on a muted texture to the bold, or even those accordion-like folds that are seriously voluminous. What's cool about these sleeves – they sprinkle sophistication and a touch of avant-garde aesthetic to your couture.
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Julian Moore, known for movies like The Big Lebowski, Hunger Games, attended the 2018 Cannes Festival in a stunning custom-made Louis Vuitton emerald green gown with a high-neck bodice, statement shoulders and knife-pleated billowy sleeves.
The magic of sleeves doesn't end here though. There's more, yes – the statement sleeve universe is vast now.
Remember the 80s? That era boasted big shoulders, and now they are back again but with a revamp. The big volume concentrates high on the shoulder, gradually tapering down the arm.
B-town celeb Katrina Kaif sported gigot sleeves on the first anniversary of her beauty line. She wore a floral frilled mini-dress with a V-neckline designed by Gauri and Nainika. The sleeves were puffed high on the shoulder, tapering down to the elbow. Needless to say, the Tees Maar Khan actress looked utterly stunning in the floral ensemble.
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You know what's breathtakingly gorgeous? Layers upon layers of ruffles pouring down the arm because this statement sleeve echoes controlled chaos and romantic volume.
Kim Kardashian donned a Dolce & Gabbana plum couture gown with a pair of dramatic puff-sleeves at the Alta Moda show in Italy. The magnificent plum gown featured sculptural puffed, tiered sleeves with bias-cut ruffles and cascading sleeves that trail past the elbow, an off-shoulder neckline and a leg-barring wrap.
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Merge volume with transparency. Think puffed or pleated sleeves handmade from subtle tulle or organza? They look utterly dreamy and add a layer of intrigue to your ensemble.
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Shraddha Kapoor rocks a pale-pink saree blouse in this look. The organza sleeves are whisper-thin and sheer-out her arms in the most elegant way. The semi-transparent sleeves are cut slim from shoulder to wrist, letting just a hint of skin glow beneath the fine, tonal embroidery. The look smartly balances modern romance and modesty.
Fashion is all about striking the right balance. You can pair a voluminous and billowy sleeve with a streamlined silhouette, for instance: choose a puff sleeve top to pair with sleek pants or pencil skirt.
It's India, of course the fabric matters! Opt for light, breathable fabrics like chiffon or silk – they make big sleeves feel airy. Structured fabrics like dupioni and heavy cotton make them more architectural.
Confidence is your best accessory. If you love those enormous sleeves, wear them with pride, and comfort!
There you have it – some of the most popular, buzzing and stunning statement sleeves that you can add on to your own couture. So, find your perfect puff or pleat, and get ready to grab the limelight!
