How to Wear Puffed Sleeves

Co-authored by Kara Allan

Last Updated: March 6, 2022 References

Puffed sleeves have been making a huge comeback over the past several years! There are so many variations on this sleeve to choose from—from big puffs with lacy frills to subtle, soft, romantic swaths of fabric—that you’re bound to find something to add to your wardrobe. Give this trend a chance and see how it feels; you might be delightfully surprised at how modern this style looks.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating Outfits

1
Pair a puffed-sleeve top with form-fitting bottoms to balance out your look. Choose cigarette pants or skinny jeans for a fitted, put-together look. Opt for black, tan, or white pants so their color won’t compete with your shirt for attention.^{[1]
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- Slimmer-fitting pants tend to go really well with puffed-sleeve tops because they keep your outfit from looking too bulky or angular.^{[2]
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  Kara Allan
  Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
  Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.}
- There is a lot of volume on top because of the puffed sleeves. So you want to balance it with a bottom with a lesser volume.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kara Allan
  Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
  Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.}
2
Make a harmonious outfit by keeping one piece a solid neutral color. Puffed sleeves are eye-catching and speak for themselves, so make one part of your ensemble a solid hue. That way, the separate pieces will create one cohesive outfit rather than each part clamoring for attention.^{[4]
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- For example, a bright blue skirt would look great with a white, lacy top with puffed sleeves.
- Or, a busy floral-patterned top would look nice with a tan or navy skirt.
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3
Create a modern-feminine vibe by wearing jeans and heels with your top. A puffed-sleeve top tends to look soft and romantic, but you can dress it up and make it more modern by wearing your favorite pair of jeans and a classy pair of high heels.^{[5]
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- Try tucking in the front of your shirt for a more stylized vibe.
- For example, a floral print top with capped sleeves would look great with a light-washed pair of high-waisted jeans. Finish the outfit with a pair of white high heels.
4
Wear your top with a mini skirt for a casual-chic overtone. For a fun day out with friends, grab your favorite mini skirt and pair it with a puffed-sleeve top. For cooler weather, choose a long-sleeved top and finish the outfit with ankle boots. In warmer weather, consider a crop top with puffed sleeves.^{[6]
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- For an extra-feminine style, choose a ruffled mini-skirt.
- For example, in early fall, wear a black mini skirt with a mustard-colored puffed-sleeve top. Add black ankle boots. If it’s freezing out, wear a pair of sheer tights under the skirt.
5
Pair your top with a long maxi skirt for a natural, bohemian style. This creates a relaxed vibe that still makes you feel pretty. For a more stylized look, wear a more form-fitting top tucked into the maxi skirt.^{[7]
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- This look is easy to pair with a pair a basic tan or black sandals.
- If you’re spending a day outside, consider completing your outfit with a floppy sunhat.
- This style transitions into cooler weather, too. Just choose and long-sleeved top and wear ankle boots instead of sandals.
6
Keep things professional and classy with a pencil skirt. For an office-appropriate outfit, wear a knee-length pencil skirt with a puffed-sleeve top tucked into it.^{[8]
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Kara Allan
Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.} Add a pair of neutrally-toned heels, and you’re ready to go!^{[9]
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- An embroidered or eyelet top looks very nice with this style of skirt. Don’t be afraid to get a top with buttons or a high neck, either. All of these style elements add to the overall look of the outfit.
7
Wear a puffed-sleeve dress for a feminine, romantic outfit. The next time you have a special event to attend, think about getting a dress with puffed sleeves. The statement sleeves tend to be enough flair that you don’t have to do much else other than pick out a pair of shoes and decide how you want to wear your hair and makeup.^{[10]
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- For a soft, warm look, wear neutrally-toned flats, sandals, or high heels.
- For a more dramatic, stylized look, choose shoes that match your dress's color.
- To balance a feminine look with a little edginess, try pairing a puffed-sleeve dress with a pair of ankle boots.^{[11]
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8
Layer a sleeveless dress over your puffed-sleeve top for a unique get-up. This is a great way to use a piece from your wardrobe and turn it into something completely new. It works with both short-sleeved and long-sleeved puffed tops. If your dress is short and the weather is colder, wear a pair of tights underneath.^{[12]
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- Make sure the neckline of the top doesn’t clash with the neckline of the dress.
- For example, the top could either have a very high neck or a collar, which would look nice with a dress. Or, the neckline should fall below that of the dress, so it doesn’t look out of place.
9
Wear minimalistic earrings that won’t detract from the style of your top. A puffed-sleeve top adds a lot of panache to your outfit all on its own, and wearing large or dangly earrings will just make your outfit look busy and overdone. Instead, choose a simple pair of stud or pearl earrings for a classy touch.^{[13]
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- If your top has small sleeves and is understated, a larger pair of earrings might look nice. Just remember that the bolder your outfit, the pickier you should be about jewelry.
10
Consider the aesthetic of the whole outfit when choosing shoes. Picking the right shoes is all about the look you’re going for, the weather, and where you’ll be going. Consider some of the following combinations:^{[14]
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- White, tan, or black ankle boots look great with casual dresses, jeans, and mini skirts.
- High heels work great for when you want to dress up an outfit. Wear them with jeans or form-fitting pants when you need to look a little fancier.
- Neutrally-toned heels or flats create a softer, more natural look, which can be helpful when you’re wearing a more expressive top.
- Sneakers are more acceptable for casual events, while boots or heels are better for office attire.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Choosing a Top

1
Pick a puffed-sleeve top in a color that complements your skin tone. Knowing what colors look best with your particular skin tone is a big part of creating a successful and fashionable outfit. Consider some of the following skin tone and color combinations:^{[15]
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- For a darker olive complexion, stick with neutrals like tan, brown, and cream, or brighter colors like red, fuchsia, orange, or teal.
- Dark skin tones look great in gold or metallic shades and cream, lavender, orange, and emerald.
- With a neutral skin tone, red would look stunning on you. Because your tone is a mix of light and dark, you can choose from most colors on the spectrum.
- If your skin has a cool undertone, stick with blues, greens, purples, and pinks. Gray is a great neutral shade for you.
- For warmer coloring, stick with earthy shades, like red, burnt orange, mustard, olive green, and brown.
2
Go for a top in a neutral, soft color to create a more balanced look. Paired with the puffed sleeves, a neutrally-toned top will look classy and sophisticated, especially when paired with a neutral bottom. This is a look that works exceptionally well in the office, but it can also be worn on a date or to a special event.^{[16]
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- For example, a cream top would look nice with a brown pencil skirt or slacks.
- A camel top would pair well with dark brown trousers or even a pair of olive green pants.
3
Pick a top with bigger sleeves to make your shoulders appear wider. The puffier the sleeves, the more expansive your shoulders will look. This is great if you’re going for a confident, fashionable outfit.^{[17]
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- Puffed sleeves can feel a little intimidating if it’s not a style you’re used to wearing! If you’re nervous about trying this trend, start with smaller puffed sleeves and gradually make your way to more expressive statement pieces.
4
Create a balanced look with moderate or small puffed sleeves. This tends to look a bit gentler and can soften a more angular or lean frame. They’ll add a little bit of body to your upper half, leaving you free to style your bottom half however you want.^{[18]
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- The beautiful thing about a puffed sleeve is that it really can work with all different body shapes. The key is to wear your outfit with confidence!
5
Opt for sheer puffed sleeves for a hint of sensuality. Sheer sleeves are a really fun way to add a little bit of style to your outfit without committing to bulky fabric or big, puffy arms. Because the sheer fabric is so light, the puffed sleeves will delicately frame your arms.^{[19]
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- For a fun twist, look for a sheer puffed-sleeve top with embroidery. That will add even more visual appeal to your outfit.
6
Pick a top with a big pattern to keep the focus on the entire outfit. Rather than drawing the eye to just the sleeves, a busy, bright design will make sure your entire ensemble stays in focus. Look for stripes, polka dots, florals, tye-dyes, or other unique patterns.^{[20]
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- This style looks really lovely in dress form.
- If you’re wearing a patterned puffed-sleeve top, pair it with neutrally-toned shoes. Tan or black will look natural and keep your outfit from being overly busy.
7
Create a romantic outfit with a bishop sleeve. A bishop sleeve gathers at your wrist, creating a long, loose puffed sleeve. It’s a cute style to wear to work or on a date, as it immediately dresses up an outfit. It tends to give you you a softer, more feminine look.^{[21]
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- A dress with a bishop sleeve looks whimsy and bohemian.
- This style is a great way to wear puffed sleeves as the weather turns colder.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you make puff sleeves look good?

Kara Allan
Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
Kara Allan is a Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist, Personal Brand Consultant, and Owner of Style by Kara Allan. With over 19 years of experience, her expertise includes wardrobe styling and edits, personal shopping, personal branding, makeup application, and corporate image consulting. Kara has worked with many celebrity clients including Leonardo di Caprio and Jesse Itzler. She has also been featured in numerous media outlets such as DC Magazine, Washington Post Express, and the Huffington Post. Kara received her training with Stacy London, Former Fashion Editor at Vogue Magazine and Star of TLC's What Not to Wear, and Carla Mathis, Certified Image Master, Association of Image Consultants International.

Kara Allan

Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant

Expert Answer

It's all about balance and the whole outfit. Try reducing the volume of your other pieces to even it out with the puffed sleeves so you don't call attention to every part of your look.