Even if you’re just lounging in your garden this summer (and let’s face it, most of us will be)….there’s no reason not to dress up. Are you with me?! I mean who doesn’t want to look good on their Zoom calls, right?!
So, why not embrace the current trend for puffed sleeves and structured silhouettes from the comfort of your own home. With pieces on the fussy, flouncy side my tip is to keep your jewellery bold, but simple. Pick just one element to emphasise, either a delicate necklace, some knockout earrings or a simple bracelet.
Here are some of my favourite big sleeved tops and dresses in the shops at the moment, along with some suggestions on jewellery that I think would well with them. Think of it as a friendly sommelier recommending an awesome bottle of wine to go with your meal. But with clothes. And jewellery.
& Other Stories has a huge range of pretty puff sleeve tops and dresses but I love the soft simplicity of this black linen number (above left). They also have this baby blue organic cotton top which I’m slightly obsessed with. With a lot going on around the sleeves and shoulders in both of these pieces, I’d be tempted to either avoid necklaces altogether or go for something very dainty like the Mini Meteorite Necklace which comes in gold or silver.
Nothing says summer like an easy breezy white shirt and this one from Y.A.S at Fox & Feather (above right) is a real treat. Those structured sleeves are perfection and a nice twist on what is a wardrobe classic. Fox & Feather also stock this fantastic black jersey top from Pieces which which features some gorgeoeous puffy chiffon sleeves….love it!
Both of these tops lend themselves to a larger earrings and I'd probably go for something super simple like the Large Teardrop Earrings....that silver would look great against the black!
The Sleeper Michelin dress (above left and available at Studio B) is the perfect throw on piece that would look just as good with a pair of trainers as dressed up with heels and big jewellery. Navy and gold are always a fabulous combination and this dress can definitely take a bold earring. If you’re after something dressy try the Apollo Staement Earrings, or for a more everyday look, the Large Nova Hoops are a great choice.
If you’re after a dress with short sleeves now that the weather has perked up then the Sleeper Maxi Dress Brigitte in this gorgeous summer meadow print called Mimosa is just perfect. I would opt for something quite modern and minimal to balance our this pretty print, like the Orbit Hoop Earrings
which come in silver and gold and maybe some wrist candy in the shape of the Parallel Bracelet.
For something simple and neutral, but in a beautiful summery shade, try the soft peach of this midi dress from COS (above left). Actually COS is always a great place to look for simple structured pieces….the current collection has loads of tops and dresses that featured folded fabric, puff sleeves and beautiful draping.
COS also stocks this open sleeved silk dress (above right) which is so unusual. It's a beautiful colour and I love the way it has a little built in cape, ideal for a chilly British evening! With both of these dresses, you might want to soften the look a little so I'd suggest trying something small and pretty like the Small Luna Hoop Earrings
I hope that's given you some lockdown syling inspo. To slightly mis-quote Puffy himself "We ain't, go-in' nowhere, we ain't, goin' nowhere; we can't be stopped now, cause it's big sleeves for life..."
Elin Horgan is a British jewellery designer & maker of beautifully simple handmade pieces crafted from sustainable materials in her Bristol studio. You can read more about her work and the ethos behind her understated jewellery brand HERE. If you’d like to enquire about a specific product or discuss a bespoke commission please e-mail info@elinhorgan.com