As you have no doubt already surmised… dramatic, over-sized shoulders and sleeves will feature heavily through AW19.  Right now, it’s all about the puff. The trend – depending on the style – offers something for everyone from romanticists or more edgy fashionistas. But the key is MAX… go big or go home!

Whilst puff sleeves have been widely seen on summer prairie dresses and cotton (often cropped) tops, they now feature on everything from dresses, blouses and sweaters, to jumpsuits, jackets and evening dresses. There are so many variations from the frothy, whimsical style sported by Anne Walker in the recent and fabulous BBC series Gentlemen Jack, to full-on power sleeves reminiscent of the sassy Alexis Colby from Dynasty.

I am using the term ‘puff sleeve’ in a broad sense as this trend seems to cover a few different variations. The statement sleeves du jour vary from standard puff to gigot, bishop and virago. If these names mean nothing to you (and why would they?!!) then check out my Guide To Statement Sleeves …a post I wrote a couple of years ago!

Puff sleeves are a great solution for many body shapes. A bit of froth and volume on the shoulder offers boyish silhouettes or those with drop shoulders some much-needed shape. Plus, the puff detail at the upper arms accentuates and helps create an hourglass figure and will balance a large bust (go for a v or square neck style). They draw the eye upwards and across the body so will provide distraction away from a rounded tummy.

Such a statement style may put the fear of god in you, but my advice with any new and bold trend is to start small. There are many low-key options around. Start with a simple, inexpensive puff sleeve T-shirt from Zara and wear with your jeans and midi-skirts.  Then as you progress to bolder shapes, keep the sleeves the star of the the show and wear with minimalist pieces.

1 Black Puff Sleeve Top: & Other Stories  2 Faux Leather Midi Skirt: River Island 3 Velvet Headband: Sansom Reed
3 Shopper Bag: Mango 4 Studded Sandals: Top Shop

1 Puff Sleeve Check Top: River Island 2 Paper Bag Jeans: River Island 3 Snake Hair Clip: Top Shop 4 Braided Handbag: H&M 5 Cowboy Ankle Boots: Mango

1 Dress: Zara 2 Trainers: Offspring 3 Puff Sleeve Cardigan: Zara 4 Bag: Gerard Darel

1 Floral Puff Sleeve Blouse: & Other Stories 2 Gold Shoes: Zara 3 Palazzo Trousers: Mango

1 Puff Sleeve Midi Dress: & Other Stories 2 Boots: Zara 3 Puff Sleeve Denim Jacket: & Other Stories 4 Leather Obi Belt: Mango 5 Bamboo Handle Bag: Oliver Bonas

So if you want to update your wardrobe this AW, I strongly advise considering a statement sleeve – the puffier the better! What do you think? Are you on-board with this trend or will you give it a miss? As always, I’d love to hear from you…

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