Making a Statement

statement sleeves

Statement sleeves are not really my thing

Neither is asymmetrical anything. Yet, here I am, wearing an asymmetrical skirt and puff sleeves. In other words, never say never, and other such platitudes…

OK, the skirt is sort of fun, and I can probably wear it with all my t-shirts (which in my book means a long-term relationship). As far  as the top is concerned, this will probably be one of those very brief but intense love affairs that turns into contemptuous hate at the sight of first obstacle…

The problem with statement sleeves is that they’re not very practical. Sure, they may look just fabulous, but it’s hardly worth the trouble. I mean, they complicate your life in ways you never could have anticipated. For instance, if they’re long and / or wide, they tend to get caught on door handles. Or is this something that only happens to me?

Anyway…

These sleeves are a bit shorter, so that shouldn’t be a problem. But where can I find a coat with sleeves wide enough to accommodate them?!?

Of course, that’s just the sort of question I should have asked myself before I bought the top…

statement sleeves over 40

smart casual over 40

Outfit details:

top: Cut & Pret / skirt: Rue de femme / shoes: Clarks (old) / bag: Coach

How do you feel about statement sleeves?

Tiina

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleStyle ElixirA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeLiving on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashThe Fashionista MommaTina’s Pink FridayFake FabulousMummabstylish 

18 Comments

  1. Flora
    2 October 2018 / 9:57 pm

    I like your outfit but I too have statement sleeves on two Summer blouses I’m planning to shorten them for next year. I’m bored by them.

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 October 2018 / 5:10 pm

      Yes, that’s another problem with statement sleeves: you get tired of them very quickly…

  2. 3 October 2018 / 3:52 am

    I’m trying to comment again after being able to for so long…hopefully the issue has passed.

    I’m like you, I’m not normally one for asymmetrical anything. I feel like something always looks off.

    Although I adore statement sleeves I found the same issues you mentioned here…none of my coat sleeves are large enough to accommodate them.

    I’m in love with the deep rich jewel tones of these two pieces together. It looks so good on you!

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 October 2018 / 5:15 pm

      I think it should be easier to comment now that I had the blog migrated to WordPress.
      Yes, that’s funny: we keep looking for symmetry, so asymmetrical feels odd or ‘wrong’ somehow. And the coat issue is only made worse because for several years now all coats seem to have extremely narrow sleeves (and at the time designers send out tops with massive sleeves in all possible shapes. Go figure…)

  3. 3 October 2018 / 11:45 am

    Lovely color combo and lovely asymmetrical skirt too, the print is so beautiful!. I like statement sleeves, even if sometimes make my life harder, as I’m really clumsy (door handles are evil!). Having to accomodate big sleeves into a coat is something that disuades me from wearing them (but not always), so I keep them only for warm weather!
    besos

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 October 2018 / 5:19 pm

      Thank you! I’m into darker colour schemes now, for winter.
      I’m incredibly clumsy, too, and tend to avoid clothes that can get caught somewhere. And I’m beginning to think that the only thing that can accommodate statement sleeves is a poncho (and it’s way too cold for that now).

  4. 3 October 2018 / 10:51 pm

    The only statement sleeve shirt I have, there is elastic, so I can push them up. I adore this combination of colors, oh, that I could find the skirt in the states.

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 October 2018 / 5:20 pm

      Oh yes, elastic is necessary. There’s nothing worse than sleeves that prevent natural movement. Thanks!

  5. 4 October 2018 / 3:41 pm

    Love the colour combo of the top and skirt together! I really like the statement sleeve trend, but like you I don’t find it the most practical! I have oen dress with the most fun sleeves, but they are always getting caught on things when I wear it so I haven’t worn it much to be honest!

    Hope that you are having a good week 🙂

    Away From The Blue Blog

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 October 2018 / 5:24 pm

      Thanks!
      Unfortunately style and comfort don’t always match. I’ve fallen for quite a few dresses that look really pretty but are really annoying to wear because they don’t work in real life, for one reason or another. I’m trying to get better at picking clothes that I actually wear, but every now and then I end up buying something i wear only a few times because it’s so impractical. A work in progress, I guess…

  6. 6 October 2018 / 1:38 am

    Ha ha, I’m in full agreement with your annoyance with statement sleeves! They get caught on stuff, like cabinet door pulls and the cat’s feet, they’re bunchy under cardigan or coat sleeves, and they’re so distinctive that you can’t wear them that often cuz everyone notices them! “Didn’t you just wear that big sleeve shirt yesterday? And Monday? And last week??” Versus a plain blue blouse or white tee, no one notices and you can get away with wearing it almost every day!

    Thanks for linking up with the Fabulous Friday link-up!

    Bettye
    https://fashionschlub.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      7 October 2018 / 9:44 pm

      Exactly! You’re better off investing in something classic that you can wear again and again. This top was a total impulse purchase, or as I like to call it, a temporary mental disorder. It probably won’t stay in my wardrobe for very long…

      • 8 October 2018 / 12:10 am

        Aww, well it’s nice to always have one or two “special” things in addition to the classic pieces.

  7. 8 October 2018 / 1:02 pm

    I really like both of these pieces Tiina, sometimes its good to leave our comfort zones. I always like a statement sleeve but mainly for Summer , so no coat problem and not hideously long , I need to use my hands. The colours are also very you.

    • Tiina
      Author
      16 October 2018 / 4:52 pm

      Thanks, Jill. yes, statement sleeves are strictly for summer, or early autumn.

  8. 9 October 2018 / 12:28 pm

    I love both the skirt and the top. I do like statement sleeves but I agree that they can be problematic. The shorter puffy sleeves are better for when you don’t need a coat, while long sleeves with a flare cuff can work with a jacket as they can poke out of the jacket sleeves. A sleeveless cardigan or trench coat is another option. Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      16 October 2018 / 4:54 pm

      Thanks, Emma. I can’t wear long sleeves under a jacket, that’s just way too much layering for me. I’d need one of those big wrap-around coats with really wide sleeves. That’s the only thing I could imagine wearing over any sort of statement sleeves.

  9. 6 November 2018 / 1:58 pm

    Sorry to be so late, but I totally agree with you on those sleeves! They’re so fantastic to look at, but a real challenge to wear. I have one knitted top with a shorter ruffle at the end – and that’s as much as I can take. The sleeves are longer than most coats and jackets, so the most voluminous part is peeking out of the coat sleeves. It’s time-consuming to “arrange” but once the coat is on I’m alright. The skirt is just beautiful, even though it’s asymmetrical 🙂

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