topic Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves in Fashion

Those darned Bell Sleeves

Icegoddess — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 15:31:43 GMT

I realized the other day when I was changing out the clothes in my closet that I had all of one fall/winter dress. I do have skirts and pants, but just one dress. So, with gift card in hand, I went to my local Belk store. After wandering around the bottom floor and only seeing dresses scattered here and there amongst the other clothing I asked an employee if they had done away with the dress dept. Oh, it's upstairs. I thought the upstairs was only mens/childrens clothing, but then I realized I had also not seen any intimates which are also upstairs.

After trying every long-sleeve dress in the dress department I decided I hated bell sleeves. It's not that there were a lot of them. In fact, I was surprised at so many short sleeves and no sleeves for fall/winter. One dress I tried on was a very classic cut dress, but I didn't even get it fully zipped because I could tell the huge bell sleeves on it would look ridiculous on my 5'2" frame. The other dress with the bell sleeves fit me like a glove. Oh, I loved that dress even though it was $135. However, the seam where the bell attached to the sleeve cut into my arms making it terribly uncomfortable, and the sleeve part was actually a little tight. There seems to be some sort of assumption by designers these days that women have skinny arms. I did at least feel like that bell sleeve would be ok for wearing after the bell sleeve craze passes without looking too dated since I would expect to wear it for many years as I do most of my clothing.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

Perkup — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 17:25:30 GMT

I have refused to try or consider anything - dress, top or whatever - that sports a bell sleeve of any kind. I find them awkward and inconvenient. Further, I think they are ugly. Not for me or my clothing $$. I'll be very happy when they die a natural death.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

grandma r — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 17:53:42 GMT

I have short arms to start with. I tried one of those tops and the sleeves looked ridiculous. The top was supposed to have 3/4 length sleeves, but, on me was way too much!

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

chrystaltree — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 19:23:18 GMT

I like some bell sleeves, slightly belled. I don't like exaggerated bell sleeves. I have one top with those sleeves that's probably all I will ever have because I do think it's a trend that will pass quickly. Honestly, while bell sleeves and statement sleeves are popular now; I still plenty of other things out there. It's not like they stopped making short, long, 3/4 sleeve tops and dresses.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

wilma — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:50:34 GMT

I would be willing to try a very subtle bell sleeve, but it seems most of them are very exaggerated and some also have ruffles. Too much for me.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

ALRATIBA — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 01:07:24 GMT

I have one sheer black button front blouse with long narrow sleeves. It had a double ruffle "cuff" about a total of 6" of ruffles.

I think it was a LTS a couple of years ago. It might have been an SG top (I cut out the labels because they showed through the sheer fabric.)

I never wore it because the sleeves were too long and I wasn't sure how to fix it. So, it hung in the closet for a couple of years.

Anyway ... I decided to just remove (cut off) out of the ruffles and the blouse looks so much better with just one ruffle.

With the neckline design - it works better as a sheer jacket over a dress or other top. I like the way it looks over one of my "dressy" turtlenecks. The fabric is heavier then her usual chiffon fabrics.

@wilma wrote:
I would be willing to try a very subtle bell sleeve, but it seems most of them are very exaggerated and some also have ruffles. Too much for me.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

Icegoddess — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 01:13:18 GMT

So, am I the only one who has trouble with that seam cutting into your arm?

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

StylishLady — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 01:20:25 GMT

I'm not adverse to them and have a couple of items with that type of sleeve. This is a dress I wore to church, breakfast, and dinner a few Sundays ago. You just have to be aware of them and adjust your movements accordingly. All in all another matter of personal choice. I'm glad we have choices. The world would be harsh if we all liked and wore the same styles.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

bells4me — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 01:29:32 GMT

I refuse to look at anything with bell sleeves. Dislike them almost as much as the cold shoulder.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

Group 5 minus 1 — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 11:57:26 GMT

Icegoddess: What do you mean by saying,"changing out"?

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

Icegoddess — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 13:53:02 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1, I have a fairly small closet, so I store off-season clothes elsewhere. So, twice I year I change the clothes in my closet to match the season. A lot of stuff is year-round, but the stuff that is obviously seasonal gets replaced.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 16:03:44 GMT

Some bell sleeves are manageable, some not so much. I bought a top from Evine that has a very exaggerated bell sleeve. The night I wore it, we ended up going out to dinner and those sleeves were a pain the entire time. I couldn't reach across because the bell was hanging into my plate. I had to keep holding it. When we got home, the top was washed and put into the donation pile.

I have other tops and sweaters that have a very slight bell and I have no issue with them whatsoever. Those I don't mind but I don't want an entire closet full of them because I think they are going to look pretty dated shortly.

Re: Those darned Bell Sleeves

riley1 — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 17:19:03 GMT

Our weather gal had a bell sleeve dress on the other morning and I have to say, they were flying everywhere.

Don't like them and won't buy anything that has them.