Last summer saw snappier dressers ditch their bare-shouldered Bardot tops in favour of altogether more OTT puff at the shoulder.
And for 2019, the trend shows no signs of abating. In fact, puff sleeves are fast becoming the only sleeve style worth knowing for summer.
While last year’s puff sleeves were largely seen on cotton, prairie-style blouses and white cotton tops with sweetheart necklines, 2019 sees the puff migrate to comfortably and confidently sit, cloud-like, on the shoulders of everything from jumpers and cardigans to ‘out-out’ cocktail dresses and even jumpsuits and tailoring.
Ganni paired puff sleeve Broderie Anglaise dresses with hiking boots at their spring/summer 2019 show, while at Rodarte they were given ultra-feminine vibes. Ulla Johnson added puffy sleeves to jumpsuits and Marc Jacobs gave puffs directional cuts and Louis Vuitton popped out the puff in tie dye hues.
And frankly, we’re not surprised the street style set has embraced frothy shouldered fabulousness with verve. A puff sleeve simultaneously oozes both the pomp of Renaissance royalty and the sass of 80s Dynasty – pop one on and you’ll instantly feel more powerful.
Don't believe me? Try one for yourself...
Our edit of the best puff sleeves to buy now:
