Let’s talk about one of Spring’s biggest trends – puffed sleeves! I am seeing them on peasant tops, smocked tops, cardigans, off shoulder tops…basically everywhere! I’ve always been a huge fan of peasant tops and they used to be harder to find, but this season they are all over the place and I couldn’t be happier. When choosing a peasant top, I prefer ones that are either tightly smocked through the whole bodice or roomy at the bust and smocked at the waist. That way I get the soft pretty look of puffed sleeves and still look like I have a figure!
Some of the new tops and dresses can go overboard with puffed sleeves, so I try to find styles that are not too exaggerated. When the sleeves are pleated and puffed at the shoulder they can come off as looking ridiculous and too 80’s, plus I don’t like when the shoulders are so big they make you look like a linebacker! In all of my examples below you’ll see that even though the sleeves are puffed, the billowy part of the sleeve comes from the extra material and the elastic at the end of the sleeve, whether it’s short sleeved or long sleeved—not from pleats at the shoulder. If you look for that when picking out a puffed sleeve top, you’ll get a soft and billowy romantic look rather than a clownish 80s look! So here are some of my favorites ways to wear puffed sleeves:
Floral Puffed Sleeve Top with Jeans
Floral tops are just perfect for spring and I love ones with a pretty smocked waist! Shop this outfit here.
Balloon Sleeve Cardigan with Jeans
This is the perfect cardigan for spring! I love the balloon sleeves and pointelle knit. You can shop it here.
Peasant Top with Tiered Skirt
This is one of my very favorite tops this spring! I also can’t get enough of flowy tiered skirts this season. Shop this look here.
Smocked Top with Jean Shorts
I am so in love with this smocked top and I think this style is THE look of the spring season! The sleeves are sheer and flowy and so pretty! Also these are the cutest Levi’s cut-offs and they are so popular this season! Shop this look here.
On a Pretty Spring Dress
I love the billowy sleeves and smocked bodice on this dress, and polka dots are so fun for spring! You can shop this whole look here.
Do you think the current puffed sleeve trend is a yes or a no? Leave a comment below to let me know!
I love the billowy sleeves you’ve featured here and the distinction you made with not having a puffed & billowy sleeve in one shirt—I wouldn’t have thought of that. For my taste, all the smocking is too much. I prefer a billowy sleeve on a simpler bodice!
Yes, I love that too!