The fashion shows of fall/winter witnessed a lot of new as well as retro designs and trends. And among the aspects that many fashion designers paid great attention to were shoulders and sleeves. Many designs of sleeves that convey different styles and vibes showed up on the runways. In this article, Pouted online magazine will take you on tour among unusual and even bizarre shoulder and sleeve looks that appeared in new ready-to-wear collections of fashion brands for fall/winter.
1 Upper bare, bottom sleeved
The first unusual shoulder and sleeve look we have is from Dries Van Noten, and it is quite breathtaking! No need to say more. Just let your eyes drown in the irresistible combination of black, gold, and silver.
2 Longer than arms
Sleeves of extra length showed up on the runways of fall/winter 2020. Fashion designer Vera Wang has been known with her extra-long sleeves with bohemian vibes. Salvatore Ferragamo, Lemaire, Dries Van Noten, and Brandon Maxwell also employed the trend but with less extreme length and a more classic manner.
And we end up extra long sleeves with this exceptional, fiery look also from Dries Van Noten.
3 Statement shoulders
Extra big shoulders showed up notably in the fashion shows of many brands and, therefore, are expected to go big this cold season.
4 Layered sleeves
It is an elegant way to turn usual sleeves into unusual or statement. Layered sleeves are an ideal complement for street style outfits. If you are after this captivating effortless look, go for layered sleeves. A stellar application of the trend is by using different textures like a lace shirt with a knitted sweater atop.
However, adopting it simply and classically as Brandon Maxwell and Lemaire did is an excellent idea too.
Another creative, classy application of the trend from Dries Van Noten; the layered sleeves, created by gloves, are of different textures and the same color.
We also like this combination of vintage and bohemian vibes. The puffy short sleeves are layered with tight, extra-long sleeves. They complement the classic design of the dress perfectly.
And another puffy, layered sleeves from Chloé.
5 Versatile puffer-coat sleeves
We are quite impressed with these puffer-coat sleeves of Givenchy. They can be zipped open to show the checked sleeves of the elegant checked coat beneath. It is an unconventional, a bit bizarre application of layered sleeves.
6 A pocketed sleeve
Pockets of different sizes showed up on pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, coats, etc. They were employed by many fashion designers and made a notable trend in the fashion shows of fall/winter 2020. However, Givenchy decided to take pockets into a bit unconventional area, sleeves.
7 Puffy/Balloon sleeves
One thing that amazes us about balloon sleeves is that they are statement sleeves, and yet they look super dainty. We find Roksanda’s employment of puffy sleeves in blouses, meringue dresses, and vintage-style gawns exceptional.
A more dressy application of it is the normal long sleeves with a little puff at the sleeve capes.
And another classic version of puffy sleeves made of jeans.
8 Cape sleeves
Givenchy came up with oversized puffy sleeves that extend at the back, forming a short cape. Brandon Maxwell executed the same idea but simply, without puffs.
9 The cape illusion
The design of the dress and embellishments of the shoulders and sleeves gives the illusion of a real cape excellently.
And here are other cape-looking shoulders from Brandon Maxwell and Proenza Schouler. Capes and cloaks were a big trend in the fashion shows of fall/winter 2020. So, we expect that you will find a wide variety of applications for them while shopping.
10 Deeply vintage-looking
This one is for the lovers of vintage style. The stellar see-through puffy sleeves start and end up with classic creamy ruffles.
11 Classic-ruffled sleeves
Ruffles can be employed to create different styles. Zimmermann adopted slightly pointed shoulders and narrow rows of ruffles to create such a classic look.
And these vertical chiffon ruffles appear stunning on this dress of Christian Siriano.
12 Boho ruffles
Ruffles, generally, were a significant trend in the fashion shows of the cold seasons. Fashion houses have employed a variety of shoulder and sleeve ruffles in boho, classic, and vintage manners.
13 Bridge-like shoulders and sleeves
We are absolutely into this classic navy top with off-shoulder and puffy sleeves. Have you noticed the dreamy bridge?
14 Leg of Mutton Sleeves
Initially called the gigot sleeves by the french, meaning the hindquarters of an animal, the leg of mutton sleeve appeared in the 1820s. Though different versions of it have developed, the main silhouette stayed the same; a voluminous sleeve cape ends up narrowly at the wrist. A variety of leg of mutton shapes showed up as a trend in the fall/winter fashion shows of 2020. It was employed using different materials to complement different styles and designs.
15 Pleated sleeves
Pleats are a retro trend that made a notable presence on the runways of fall/winter 2020. Pleated dresses, skirts, and wide-leg pants are expected to go big this season. For pleated sleeves, despite unusual, they showed up on the runway of Lemaire.
16 Feather accents
Feathers made a notable presence on the runways of fall/winter 2020. Accents of feathers were added to the sleeves of this simple turtleneck, turning its usual look into unusual.
17 Asymmetrical shoulders and sleeves
Fall/winter runways of 2020 comprised a variety of asymmetrical shoulders and sleeves. These are some of the best looks we encountered.
18 One-shoulder twist
The one-shoulder trend can hardly be considered unusual, but we like this creative, super-chic, and easy to imitate sleeve idea. All you need are a strapless belted top or dress and a scarf.
19 Bell sleeves
Bell sleeves are not a new sleeve design as well, yet this fashion season witnessed exquisite applications of them that we are thrilled to share with you!
The sleeves here combine the bell, layered and extra-length to help create this pirate look.
20 Striped sleeves
Whether applied in different colors or monochromatically, striped sleeves look quite elegant.
