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There are three main trends taking over the summer: padded shoulder muscle tanks, paperbag waist pants (which I talked about here) and puff-sleeves. I can’t lie, I am obsessed with all of them, but the puff sleeve trend has easily become my favorite. I wouldn’t consider myself a trendy girl, but this trend is one that I fully STAN.
On this post, I’m focusing on puff-sleeve oversized dresses and sharing a few of my favorite ones that are under $30.
But First, a Little “Puff” Fashion History
** Adjust glasses dramatically**
If you know anything about history, you know that the puff sleeve is not a new trend. As a matter of fact, these dramatic sleeves date all the way back to the 1600s but gained popularity during the Renaissance Era. Fashion historian, Amber Butchart, states that the dramatic sleeves were “a way of bestowing power” and represented “money and status”. Fun fact, Elizabeth I, former Queen of England, often wore padded sleeves stuffed with horsehair to maintain the shape of the garment (imagine that happening in 2020, PETA would’ve had a field day).
The trend has come and gone over the decades, but recently we’ve witnessed a major comeback. The trend was very noticeable on various runaways last year, but especially this year during Milan Fashion Week.
Sources: Business of Fashion, The Guardian
Here’s Why I Love Them so Much
- I live in South Florida and it’s hot. I mean HOT, hot. The extra room and lightweight material of the sleeves allow me to get through the hot days without feeling sticky and sweaty.
- It’s the modern-day moo-moo with a fashion twist. I now realize why my grandma wears her moo-moo all day, every day. They are extremely comfortable and flattering to my figure.
- I can eat all my quarantine snacks without people knowing my business. Whether I’m on my third bag of Cheetos or fourth bag of fruit snacks, you can’t tell and I love that.
5 of My Favorite Dresses Under $30
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