Every year there are fashion trends that seem to come out of nowhere and suddenly be everywhere.
The one that took up the most red carpet real estate this year (literally) was the humongous sleeve. We saw them puffy, we saw them fluttery, we saw them defy gravity, we saw them reach the actual ground.
Allow us to present the evidence.
Lady Gaga at the Golden Globes.
Emilia Clarke at the British Fashion Awards.
Kylie Jenner at the Grammys.
Margot Robbie at the BAFTAs.
Mandy Moore at the Emmy Awards.
Serena Williams at the Met Gala.
The Veronicas at the Aria Awards.
Iris Law at the British Fashion Awards.
Saoirse Ronan at the Met Gala.
Gwyneth Paltrow at the Emmys.
Christina Aguilera at the American Music Awards.
Tracey Ellis Ross at the Emmys.
Maren Morris at the Country Music Awards.
Now, thanks to all this high fashion exposure, the trend has hit the shops. And a word of warning if you're on the fence: it's coming in hot for party season.
Zara has a knack for translating these trickier trends into must-have items, like this dress that went viral earlier in the year, even earning its own dedicated Instagram account.
When it comes to the mega-sleeve, there's one style that seems to be taking over the wardrobes of fashion people. With a fitted velvet bodice, the top explodes into diaphanous candy-pink sleeves. Behold:
The top is yet to be available in Australia, but we'll keep you updated. And if you're not quite ready to go there, Zara also has some more wearable versions that still bring that big sleeve energy. We've included our faves below.
Zara top with puff sleeves, $69.95.
Zara Polka Dot Taffeta Blouse, 69.95.
Zara Sweater with Organza Sleeves, $59.95.
Will you be wearing the big sleeve trend in 2020? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Feature Image: Supplied.
Top Comments
When is climate change going to catch up with the fashion industry? I doubt any of these outfits are made from natural fibres, it's highly likely they're all synthetic and made from crude oil. That's a huge amount of wasted energy and water through processing for them to likely be worn just once. They're also going to hang around in the environment for a heck of a long time. Add in the chemicals we wash into the environment from hair products and make-up, fake nails and eyelashes - some of which are changing but up until now were largely petrochemicals, fashion has a lot to answer for. Wanna help the planet? Give up fashion and the need to have the 'perfect' look. Might just help you save a few $$ too!
There are plenty of people working in this space already- check out the green carpet challenge, and Clare Press’s podcast. Fashion and sustainability aren’t incompatible, and no society is every going to give up fashion. But yes, fast fashion brands like the ones recommended here need to go and soon. But unfortunately dressing sustainably is never going to turn out cheaper and using plastic and slave labour.