Just for fun - I’ll leave the puff sleeves for others

Yeah- the dress is great except I too am not crazy about puff sleeves.
For me puff sleeves and super shoulder pads are on my “once was enough list”- plus I am kinda broad in the shoulders so I don’t need any more help.
What were we thinking in the 80s?

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I quite like puff sleeves (on the right top) but I think that on a gorgeous IT such as yourself they are superfluous.

My Mum who has narrow shoulders and is a slight apple (very very slight frame now) suits a puff sleeve really well - it balances her shoulder brilliantly.

5 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

It’s really not so bad on the second look... but yeah, no, the first impression is a bit hilarious. Good Ship Lollipop... sing it loud!

5 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Glad I'm not the only one who dislikes this look on herself. Shoulder pads in the eighties were my nemesis. I even have narrow shoulders and still look terrible in them!

5 years ago

Anonymous

This dress has so many components that I love: strong shoulder line, black, and stripes. I admit that when I first saw the WIW, the shoulder line looked extreme on you. I can't tell if it is the camera angle or not. Is it a return?

5 years ago

Toban

Veteran

I have the same issue. This season I’ve found it hard to find tops without ruffles or shoulder embellishments, which don’t work for me. However, they are looking great on many others.

5 years ago

Column

Veteran

So where can I get this dress? I need shoulders (she says seriously)!

5 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I think I would like it better without the stripes. The fit is good. The puff sleeves don’t bother me too much. The stripes across the shoulder line create the problem.

5 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

I'm with Angie! 80's silhouettes may take a while to envision, but they are so stylish. And this dress really fits you so exquisitely well. I can see you wearing cute pumps or stacked heel, or platform heels with it (a little heel helps with the broad shoulder self conscious thing - signed: a broad shoulder girl).

You may have overtrained your poison eye about taming down supposedly broad shoulders. Your shape is awesome for this silhouette. Don't throw the baby with the bathwater.

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, even as someone who has more than enough hip to balance out shoulders, I'm not especially a fan of puff sleeves, although the black and white stripe and overall cut keep this from looking too sweet to me. I know the angle is emphasizing the issue as well, but I admit I have seen many other outfits you've worn that I much prefer on you!

5 years ago

Anonymous

Really cute dress. I don’t even notice the puff sleeve. It just looks like some tiny pleats. This dress hangs really well on you.

5 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

I don't think it is the most flattering on you. They do seem to broaden the shoulders visually. Cute dress though.

5 years ago

delurked

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback. Sterling, yes, a return. Something I ordered to get the free shipping threshold. I’d like a similar style that was easy and versatile, but not this one. It may fit well, but I feel conspicuous in it, so not ideal. The shoulders actually are puffer on me IRL than in the pic.

Column - here’s the find. This one I have on is a tall.

Notice how the model has her one shoulder back and hair covering the forward shoulder? No wonder it’s hard to see specifics online.

Ann Taylor

Stripe Puff Sleeve Ponte Sheath Dress

View Info

Top Pick

5 years ago

Colette

Veteran

I love the dress and actually think it looks great on you, but I am not a fan of super puffy shoulders for myself so I understand. The picture of the model in the dress definitely looks different. Thank goodness for free returns!

5 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

After shopping a little with my daughter this past weekend, I told her that I love many things in the stores but all the flutter and puffed sleeves are turn offs for me.

I did buy this shirt at Ann Taylor but I am going to have the sleeve reworked at the seamstress. She will curt off the sleeve at the elastic and make it a cap sleeve for me. Rather inexpensive and I get a top that is cool ( as in temperature ) and that I love.

https://www.anntaylor.com/eyel.....362&a

5 years ago

delurked

Veteran

Isabel - glad you can rework the top to suit you better. I am liking the resurgence of eyelet I’ve been seeing this year. It’s generally cool to wear.

Colette - yay for free returns.

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The dress is great, but I hear you on the sleeves.

5 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Puff sleeves don't feel right on me either so I hear you too.

5 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

The dress fits well, but the puffed sleeves and stripes combo is a bit much, to my eye.

And yes, the stock photo is rather deceptive, considering that a primary feature of the garment is obscured.

Anyone else have a strong association of puffed sleeves with Anne of Green Gables?

5 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I think it looks nice on you.

Re the model photo, when I was looking at pink jackets and coats, I started to notice the photos, how some never showed the coat buttoned, etc. One of the coats looked really bad when it was buttoned. I realized then that the photos tell a lot more by what they don’t show, than by what they do show.

5 years ago

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