I saw the extended sleeve trend come through last year, and it’s gained momentum on the runways for Fall 2016. The sleeves of tops, jackets and coats are very, very long, extending well past the hand. On the right is an over-the-top version from the Marc Jacobs RTW Fall 2016 collection.
Sure enough, as Fall collections trickle in early this year, designer wear is showcasing the hectic extended sleeve. The items in the collection below are good examples of the look.
I always try to keep an open mind when designers showcase garment detailing that upon first glance looks absolutely unwearable, but I’m struggling to keep an open mind with the hectic extended sleeve. The main reason is practicality: we use our hands all day long. Perhaps the point is to look “street style cool, eccentric and dramatic” with covered hands for part of the day because you could roll back the sleeves into a cuff, or scrunch them to use your hands when you need to. Like the pullover below, hectic extended sleeves unrolled on the left and rolled back into a cuff on the right.
Extra bulky cuffs and scrunching doesn’t seem all that comfortable, and the impractical sloppiness of hectic extended sleeves for a “cool effect” isn’t my cup of tea either. But I do like a more subtle version of the extended sleeve that showcases the fingers but covers the rest of the hand. This is the case with the items in the collection below. The extended sleeves on knitwear and a sweatshirt can keep your hands warm (bonus), and bell sleeves are awfully pretty (although I wouldn’t eat soup while wearing them).
I also like the way layering a snug pullover over an extended sleeve shirt or blouse creates a French cuffed vibe, as seen in the example below (imagine that her hands were covered but her fingers exposed.) The visual effect is arty, maximal and luxurious, and a little baroque or dandy. Not very practical, but there’s nothing wrong with a little impractical fashion from time to time.
Over to you. What do think of the extended sleeve, both in its hectic and more subtle variations.
