What a difference a sleeve can make. We’re barely halfway through the Spring ’16 collections, yet statement sleeves—ruffled! off the shoulder! flared!—have already crystallized as a defining trend. Who but London’s most experimental designers could inspire us to look beyond the straight and narrow? J.W.Anderson had leg-of-mutton poufs that evoked some kind of Edwardian space odyssey; Simone Rocha had frothy bubble sleeves that were crisscrossed with macramé bondage; and Erdem had Victorian swaths of lace pushed way off the shoulders. The fact that Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s arbiter of quirky personal style, put whisper-sheer balloon sleeves on his runway in Milan is further proof that we’ll all be craving extra volume come next February.
We can’t help but think Snow White, Belle, and Cinderella would be into these sleeves, too; a quick glance at Disney princesses through the ages suggests that statement shoulders were basically a prerequisite. From Ariel’s pink shoulder-grazing gown in 1989’s The Little Mermaid to Rapunzel’s puff-sleeved lederhosen in 2010’s Tangled, sweet sleeves have been a surprisingly consistent theme—they just need a few updates for 2016. Below, the five best sleeves to try this season, whether your idea of princess is grunge (Marques ‘ Almeida), a little eccentric (Derek Lam), or utterly glam-rock (Rodarte). Tiara optional.
The Bubble Sleeve
Seen at J.W.Anderson, Simone Rocha, and Jill Stuart, the bubble sleeve is as girly as it gets—plus it creates the illusion of a smaller waist. Double yes!
The Detached Sleeve
Few trends can go seamlessly from 1860s America (at Erdem) to London’s underground club scene (at MM6) to Ava Gardner in the ’50s (at Oscar de la Renta). Detached sleeves can also be read as above-the-elbow gloves, which have yet to make their street style debut.
The Stacked Ruffle Sleeve
Phew—ruffles weren’t a one-off trend for fall. The new way to wear them for spring is on your sleeves with Latin flair, as seen at Francesco Scognamiglio, Area, and Marques ‘ Almeida.
The Strappy Off-the-Shoulder Sleeve
It’s time to stow the romantic shoulder-skimming blouses you wore all summer. At Proenza Schouler, Peter Pilotto, and Edun, thick bands lent a more graphic edge.
The Bell Sleeve
Flared bell sleeves allow lots of room for interpretation: See Derek Lam’s simple, flowing maxi dress; Rodarte’s sparkly, lace-layered frocks; and McQ Alexander McQueen’s zippered mini.
The Balloon Sleeve
Floaty, free-flowing sleeves cinched tight at the wrist might be the most princess-y yet. At Gucci and Marc Jacobs, they were sheer and ethereal, while Zimmermann promoted a beachy-meets-Victorian vibe.
The post The Disney Princess Look Has New Tricks Up Its Sleeve for Spring appeared first on Vogue.