Have you ever loved a new trend but, whenever you try it, you just look awkward so you abandon it? It has happened to almost everybody, and the thing is that sometimes we think they’re not meant to be worn by everyone. If I had a coin for every time my mom told me not to follow some fashion tendency because it doesn’t fit me well, I would probably still spend that money again on clothes following a new craze. I actually think that anyone can wear any fashion trend. The trick is knowing how to use it and adapt it to your body. Not so long ago, in one of my constant (and not at all problematic) shopping adventures, I got an off-the-shoulder top with long and dramatic bell sleeves (or trumpet sleeves). I have the bad habit of not trying clothes at the store, so when I tried it back home it was a mess. I can’t stretch how bad it looked. The sleeves were too long for the length of my arms. The fabric was extremely loose, and the cut was kind of oversized, so I definitely looked like a not-so-cute version of Snow White’s Dopey. So, here are some tips to bear in mind whenever you wear these clothes that, apparently, have come to stay.
Statement piece
I probably make this tip every single time I talk about fashion and it’s because it literally applies to many current trends. If you think about it, nowadays we see very edgy and bold items that are meant to look as statement pieces. This is the case of bell sleeve. While they’re very easy to combine, it’s quite easy to cross the line and overdo it. My advice here is to focus on the structure and the dramatic look it provides and combine it with basics.
Versatility
This trend is made with a wide variety of fabrics, cuts, and textures that provide many opportunities to combine with different types of clothes and styles. You can use it under a slip dress or overalls, or even combine one bell sleeve blouse of a solid color with a thin strap top to make a unique statement piece. The choice is yours.
Movement
These pieces naturally give you a nice and unique structure that appeals to movement, especially those items made with light or sheer fabrics. Play with them so you can either get a soft and ethereal look or wear strong and thick pieces to convey a more architectural structure. No matter your body type, many of the cuts of this trend can be adapted to your own tastes. It’s just a matter of knowing what suits you best.
Balance
This is related to the previous point. In my case, I fell in love with the top hanging on the perch without considering how it would look on my body type. One important thing with these pieces is to balance them according to your curves and the image you want to transmit. For instance, if the piece is a loose blouse or jacket, wear it with subtle and tight pieces. More importantly, consider your body balance (length of torso, legs, and arms) and see how you can wear the bell sleeve outfit according to it. One general recommendation is to not let the sleeves surpass your fingers when your arm is stretched, especially if the sleeves are asymmetrical. This will only make you look like Dopey, or me.
Extremely dramatic
Last, but definitely not least, bear in mind that these outfits are meant to be dramatic and edgy. Many of the designs involve exaggerated structures that make it easy to get lost in the design. This is also a general advice to keep in mind with all those bold new trends. They can be overwhelming, so we need to learn how to wear clothes as an accessory of our look and not the main event.
These are basically the tips I had in mind when I returned that monstrosity (at least that’s how it looked on me) and changed it for something else that really fit me perfectly. Definitely everybody can wear any given trend. It’s just a matter of analyzing it and seeing how it can be adapted into your body. If you love this type of clothes or any other, just go for it.
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