Fashion is cyclical and many trends come back in fashion every few years. The Victorian inspired puff sleeve is no exception with many high street fashion brands such as Oasis and Zara featuring this style in their latest collections.
The puff sleeve originates during the late Victorian era (1890s) with women’s dresses and outer garments featuring a ‘leg of mutton’ or gigot style puff sleeve. The puff stopped at the elbow and the lower arm was swathed in tight-fitting fabric to the wrists. The sleeves would be lined with stiffened fabric to retain their shape. Some women couldn’t even fit through the doorway the sleeves were so big!
This ornate Victorian gothic blouse with enormous puff sleeves is embellished with jet beaded epaulets and heavily beaded front section.
Zara puff sleeve blouse
Why not embrace the puff sleeve trend and inject some Victorian gothic into your wardrobe? Check out this chic puff sleeve blouse in black available at Zara for only €3.99! Perfect worn with leggings or skinny jeans.
Oasis puff sleeve top
Rock a thoroughly modern gothic vibe with this gorgeous broderie anglaise puff sleeve top available at Oasis for only €19! Wear it with a high-waisted satin midi skirt and barely-there heels for a cooly glam, night-out ensemble.
Victorian gothic blouse
Black dresses were generally used as mourning dresses in Victorian society but black Victorian blouses were also worn as mourning garments. These blouses had a high neckline, frills at the front section and long, ruffled sleeves. They were worn with long ankle-length skirts. Apart from mourning, these blouses added a gothic vibe for Victorian women.
Oasis ruffled blouse
Get in touch with your gothic side with this animal print ruffled blouse available at Oasis for only €27. With a loose fit and peplum waist, it’s perfect worn with skinny jeans or leggings.
Embrace the gothic trend this spring by investing in a Victorian puff sleeve top or ruffled blouse. Unlike Victorian women, you won’t have to squeeze into a corset first!
The black Oasis top is fab. Very good value!