I had noticed the Inc sweater in the YLF store and was instantly intrigued. My first thought was that the ruching on the sleeves might help me out as I seem to have a hard time wearing sweaters. I did have to wonder about the length though. It appears to be a bit of an a-line that stops mid hip. How does it fit in real life?

Wonderful helpful pointers for this look! I have a ruched 3/4 sleeve cardi that I bought last fall and love in spite of broad shoulders. Now I know why it works and want to add a couple more. I love the INC cardigan and want to try one in r/l for size, but need to travel a bit to find a Macys that carries it.

I ordered a cream H&M cardigan yesterday!! I LOVE the style, because you instantly look dressed in an interesting way, it´s so easy. Plus, regular cardigans are starting to look a bit boring to me, so I think this detail upgrade is great. The red pullover is just wonderful.

Happy new year to everybody!!!

This look was HUGE in London last year! In particular, there was one sweater from Topshop that I swear, every other girl in this city has (it came in several sweater/cardi variations). I bought it in a gorgeous green shade and find it so flattering- the big sleeves make my waist look smaller and balance out my hips. (Unfortunately, it frightens Andrew a bit- he calls it my “cabbage sleeve” sweater.)

The trend is definitely still going strong here- other shops have caught up in the last season, and all kinds of ruched, draped and gathered shoulders/sleeves are in the shops.

I do like this look because I find that it balances my pear-ish shape nicely. I like the INC cardi a LOT but I just wish it came in another colour. None of those are super fab on me.

That’s fun to hear Joy and Queenie. The INC tops in the YLF store run small. The shoulders are narrowly cut towards the neck, AND it’s a knit so you’ll get away with it if it’s a little bigger everywhere else. I usually take an XS or an XXS but I have the INC turtleneck in a Small and it fits quite well.

I think the look is great for some, but I worry about it for me. My shoulders are narrow but my upper arms are fleshy… However, since you like the look, I’m now at least convinced to try it on in a store whereas I would have otherwise simply passed it by without a glance had you not given it a ringing fashion endorsement, Angie.

I have a forties tea dress with this type of sleeve and I’m quite keen on adding a ruched sleeved cardigan to my work wardrobe. It will add interest to an otherwise sober outfit.

This might sound like a dumb question, but how would short ruched sleeves play with a large bustline Angie?

I think the look is super cute (and I loved seeing you in the Citron one at H&M ) but I’ve tried a couple that I didn’t like on me due to my strong shoulder line. I might try again if I come across one that’s a bit more subtle.

YAY! Absolutely love this sleeve style. Being one with narrow shoulders, I especially appreciate this look.

That’s good to know, Ele. I see that Topshop is still full of the ruched sleeve tops right now. It’s interesting how trends in Europe and America differ ever so slightly each season. My Greg feels like your Andrew. But at least the boys have an opinion!

Phoebe, I think we might be H&M cardigan twins. (Antje was with me when I purchased the citron so she’s my witness). Hope you find a style you like, Antje. You might like to try the INC cardigan in the YLF store because of its clean neckline.

Sarah, you should try the black INC cardigan and wear it with white, blue or purple. Ruched sleeves balance out a pear shaped frame really well.

Mac, I don’t see your lovely shapely arms as a disadvantage at all. You should definitely give the right ruched sleeve top or jacket abash.

Vani, that’s an excellent question. Keep the sleeves less voluminous and opt for a V or scooped neck. My client with the broad shoulder line also has a larger bust and the V-neck cardigan looked sensational in black. Killer over a sheath dress.

Personally, I don’t like ruched sleeves. I find them unflattering and difficult to layer with.

I’m on it, Angie! I have SO much black right now, but not a lot of pieces I just love. So maybe this can replace two or three black items. I will try on the green too, just in case.

I saw yay. Sometimes they drown me, though. I’m petite.

Eeek! Just can’t get behind this look. In fact, most ruched items turn me off for some reason …

I agree with Sal — I have never really like rouched items, and the idea of rouching on my shoulders induces double the horror.

Will this work on an apple at all? I would love to have a black cardigan that looks a little different.

Possibly owing to my childhood of reading Anne of Green Gables, I am drawn to the “puffed sleeves” of the black dress, but I think my shoulders are too broad already to look good in that. I feel lukewarm at best about the other specific items pictured (don’t care for that shade of green or the look of short-sleeved turtlenecks), but I’d give the sleeve thing a try in the right top.

I love it! But for myself, I’ve got the strong shoulder line. Do you think the left INC top will work for me? I might have to try it.

After seeing the INC cardi in the shop, I noticed a lot of items with rusched sleeves at the store. I think it’s really cute, and I could see myself getting a cardi like that for spring. It’s somethign different than just the same old cardi.

Love it, especially the elbow-length sleeve. Just what I was looking for last spring!

My dainty shoulders and I love it. I also love it because it means 80’s trends aren’t on their way out, which would make me sad. That black ASOS dress is killer! I want it now!

I know elbow length sleeves are flattering but I can’t get my head wrapped around them. I have one elbow sleeve cardigan that seems to get a lot less wear than my other cardis. It gets as cold as it gets hot where I live, and elbow length either leaves my bare lower arms freezing or my covered upper arms sweating. I probably won’t be partaking in the trend unless it comes in the form of that amazing dress or another long sleeve option.

Super cute!

I vote yay! I love the short sleeve red cartigan pictured!

Ummm no… I’d wear it if I were 6, or maybe if teh ruching were very subtle…

I’ve been wearing the turtle neck w/ ruched sleeves look for over a year now. I LOVE what it does for my proportions! (wide shoulders, small bust, small waist, wide hips)

I love ruched sleeves as well! In fact, I love any statement shoulder! I also loved the Topshop ruched sleeve cardigan last year but my local Topshop didn’t have any in my size in a colour I liked.

I tried on an INC dress at Macys that had ruched sleeves and I found it surprisingly flattering. I have plump upper arms and the ruching helped disguise (or camouflage) that.

Glad to hear it’s in for Spring! I don’t love it or hate but I bought a top with it a couple months back but it’s short sleeve so haven’t yet worn it. I’m glad I would look stupid when I start wearing it in the Spring!

I’m interested in trying the INC cardigan. I’ll have to be careful with this trend because of my strong shoulder line, but it seems fun and kind of different. I wear tons of cardigans in the spring, so I’m looking to add a few new ones to my collection.

I’m pretty much against ruching, except in the formal dress where the entire bodice is ruched.

Looks like the INC cardigan fits the bill on all counts. Thanks for the tips Angie!

I think it’s cute and flattering and sort of a 40’s vibe.

Love them. Spotted a ruched voluminous sleeve top today oh dear another thing to add to my i want list!

I can’t say I really care for ruched sleeves on my inverted triangle self.

I am intrigued by these sleeves. I already have a black knitted BCBG top with such sleeves. I will be in the market for an inexpensive ruched-sleeved cardi in pretty color this spring. My shoulder line is average so I think that i can get away with hem.

I bought a black top with ruched sleeves at H+M in Hong Kong in Nov. Anything that makes a knit top look less t-shirty is good for me since I live in them!

Love it!!! Very distinctive and unique. I especially like the turtleneck.

ooh! I love them!

Nope- I can’t stand almost anything to do with the 80’s!

I have some dresses and tops with subtly-ruched sleeves, and I like the look as long as the ruching isn’t too dramatic. However, my shoulders are quite broad and I can be a little self-conscious when I wear something that exaggerates their breath.

Elbow-length sleeves combined with interesting ruching = a very enthusiastic yes from me too!!
(I’ve wanted a sweater like this ever since I saw quite a few of them in the Dorothy Perkins online shop last year).

Nope, I have to pass. I have a strong shoulder line AND fat arms and I don’t think this will work for me. I look like a linebacker as it is so I definitely don’t want to emphasize this area of my body! I like the look on others and appreciate the 80’s throwback!

Glad that you found some that don’t widen shoulders- that would be my first concern. I am very short so I don’t need the extra squat factor on top of that! Love the look though!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

I like anything that is flattering and I have a hard time finding tops, so I will give this look a try. It is a little scary, I remember wearing a lot of huge puffed sleeves in the 80s. Do turtlenecks work for everyone? I am not sure about that neckline – I’ve gained weight and self concious about my double chin now.

I love this look! I have a black Vince t-shirt I got last year…I think it was called a “tulip” sleeve in the description? I love how it creates a strong shoulder but still looks current (not to strong of an 80’s vibe).

This is one of the few 80s trends I can get behind, though only the more subtle versions – I especially like that last cardigan, for example, but the dress feels a little more poufy Victorian than anything else.

Yay! I like this look. Not sure how it will look in person, but I’m optimistic.

Despite liking the longer sleeves, I think it would emphasize my strong shoulders too much.

I like my ruching down over my wrist, not on my shoulder, thank you.

I got rid of the ruched sleeved stuff that were impulse purchases. Just can’t do.