How to recognise it
The fabric is gathered at the shoulder and at the hem with a band or elastic, so the sleeve balloons. It can be short, elbow length or long with only the top puffed.
Where it comes from
Puff sleeves were fashionable in the 1830s and 1890s, when leg-of-mutton sleeves grew enormous. They came back in the 1980s and the late 2010s.
Who and when it suits
Romantic and striking, it appears on blouses, dresses and tops. It widens the shoulders, so it suits narrow shoulders.
Variations and look-alikes
It comes short, elbow length or long with a puffed top, with elastic, a band or a cuff, in a stiff or soft fabric. A very full long sleeve puffed at the top is a leg-of-mutton. It differs from a bishop in having its volume at the top.
How to style it
- Keep the rest of the outfit simple.
- Narrow shoulders: puff sleeves widen them.
- Classic with a square neckline.
- Steam rather than iron to keep the volume.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01Who suits puff sleeves?
People with narrow shoulders; broad shoulders look better in flatter sleeves.
02What is a leg-of-mutton sleeve?
A sleeve very full at the top and narrow from elbow to wrist, fashionable in the 19th century.
03Can you wear puff sleeves under a blazer?
No, they will crush; wear them without a jacket.