This week, I was having such difficulty coming up with a topic.
Going home where the trees were blossoming and the flowers were budding, then returning to the barren and gray city left me feeling wholly uninspired.
The solution: window shopping!
My brilliant plan allowed me to spot a trend that has already made a splash during the past season and is making an even bigger impact this season: voluminous sleeves.
I've seen fellow Jumbos walking around campus sporting the poofiness. Some know where to emphasize with volume and others don't.
Whenever you crank up the volume, the extra fabric almost always balloons the figure underneath. I mean, you don't really see poofy waists because people desire to minimize the area. At the same time, the volume minimizes the body around it. That is to say, voluminous short sleeves can make your arms look slimmer.
I've classified the voluminous sleeve into two categories. We have puff sleeves and flutter sleeves. Both are very feminine.
Puff sleeves tend to add width to the shoulders, thereby making shoulders seem broader. They are typically attached to a structured button-down blouse. Women with broader shoulders or a more athletic build should try to avoid the puff. Conversely, if you have small shoulders, adding some volume can balance the rest of your figure. Try, however, to stay away from extreme puffiness. I tried on this white Michael Kors button-down, which fit perfectly, but the sleeves were larger than my head. Looking in the mirror, I was quite put off by the lack of balance. My arms could have competed with Popeye's.
I'm a fan of the Janet button-up by Odille of Anthropologie ($68). It's an extremely flattering fit with side seaming and wide-cut neckline. In addition, the puff sleeves are as short as cap sleeves, creating a dainty look.
If you've got wider shoulders or more muscular arms, you are better off with a softer look than the puff sleeve. The flutter sleeve would gracefully highlight your toned arms, while softening them. When I worked at the National Gallery of Art, my supervisor had very broad shoulders, but she knew how to dress her figure. She would wear this silk top with short fluttery sleeves, which minimized the broadness of her shoulders. The jersey tank in pink and gray by LAMade ($15 at Black & Blues, 89 Holland Street) has three layers of ruffles around the shoulder straps. The neckline is cut widely and generously. Slipping the tank on, I felt perfectly girly and delicate.
When buying and wearing voluminous sleeves, remember to balance out the volume in the rest of your outfit. For example, when I tried on the Michael Kors blouse mentioned earlier, I was also wearing a pencil skirt. The effect? One gigantic arm seemed wider than both my thighs. It was definitely not a good look. Trouser pants or wide cut legs work the best with such sleeves. A-line skirts work well, too. Avoid cigarette pants, or even worse, leggings.
Because these sleeves create such a feminine look, choosing the right shoe is important, too. Opt for a thicker, more substantial heel over a spindly stiletto. Or, go with the time-tested classic, a simple ballet flat.
Voluminous sleeves are everywhere this season, from Thakoon to American Eagle. This trend won't be flattering unless you know what to look for. So keep in mind what you just read, experiment with volume and have fun shopping!
Lumay Wang is a freshman who has not yet declared a major. She can be reached at Lumay.Wang@tufts.edu.
