Bollywood heroines are flaunting trendy sleeves. Here’s how you can do it too

From bell, balloon, cut-out and batwing sleeves to other varieties, here’s decoding sleeve styles that you can don for a variety of looks.

Sleeves have always been giving a distinct identity to outfits in every era — from toga, bagpipe sleeve and padded-shoulders in the 6th century, and bishop and batwing sleeves during the Middle Ages, to the 18th and 19th century’s puffed sleeves and leg-of-mutton sleeve (one that is loose on the upper arm, tight and fitted on the lower arm).

Parineeti Chopra in ruffled layered sleeves; Model in Archana Rao

Interestingly, many of the old styles seem to be making a comeback. Be it slouchy sleeves by J.W.Anderson, 80’s ruched, puff-sleeve silhouette by Balenciaga, and balloon sleeves at Gucci, Simone Rocha and Anna Sui, or Indian designers like Samant Chauhan, and Archana Rao — a lot of variety can be seen.

(L-R) Shilpa Shetty in layered and balloon sleeves; Diana Pinto in off-shoulder bell sleeves by Nikhil Thampi; Alia Bhatt in cone sleeves by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla

Designer Samant Chauhan, who has experimented with sleeves a lot since last season, agrees. “Sleeves enhance your torso. We can layer ourselves in winters for a sophisticated look,” he adds.

Kriti Sanon in Ridhima Bhasin; Model in Prama by Pratima

Experimenting with Indianwear
The trend is not just restricted to western wear. “Sleeves can be played with, in not just in western outfits but also in ethnic ones. As the focus has shifted from heavily embellished lehngas to minimalist and comfortable designs, people opt for edgy-glam looks, with experimental the sleeves,” explains designer Ridhima Bhasin.

Floor-length sleeves on a lehenga blouse are a hit. So are bell sleeves and scallop slits, to make garments look flowy. Bhasin adds, “I extra-long sleeves with slits, as it looks eye-catchy.”