Puff sleeve is a voluminous sleeve gathered into full ruffles at the shoulder (and sometimes at the cuff too), giving it a rounded, 'inflated' shape resembling a lantern. This detail instantly adds romance, femininity and a note of vintage charm to a look. Historically full sleeves were a mark of many eras — from the Renaissance to the Victorian and Edwardian ages — and 20th-century fashion brought them back in waves. The puff sleeve underwent a particular revival in the late 2010s, becoming one of the chief marks of the romantic and 'cottagecore' style. It works well in contrast with a fitted bodice or a minimalist bottom. Puff sleeve is a silhouette of romantic, slightly theatrical femininity, in which the volume and gathers at the shoulder create an effect of tender, historically inspired yet fashionable elegance.
