Bell Sleeves – The Fastest Way to Look Modern Now

There are some dresses you never forget. For me, it’s the wine-colored velvet mini dress with the huge bell sleeves that my mom wore back in the fall of 1970. Oh, how I loved that dress! I was just a little girl then, and this was one of my first fashion crushes.

I remember mom wearing it to a cocktail party and then letting me play dress-up. It was thrilling to wave my arms around in those relaxed bohemian sleeves. I adored that dress, and I’ll never forget how it made me feel.

Fast forward to today. I was shopping online and saw this darling wine-colored lace dress with these pretty bell sleeves. It brought all those beautiful memories flooding back. Bell sleeves are a huge trend for fall, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Everything old is new again, but there’s a  modern twist. This adorable 70’s-inspired dress looks up to date thanks to colored lace, a slim cut, and fab accessories, including these strappy, nude sandals and a hip crossbody bag.

I could see this dress at so many different events. You could even switch out the shoes for a cute pair of sexy booties, flat boots, or even flat shoes would look pretty.

This fall, there’s a bell sleeve for everybody. If you like a more dramatic look, go for a longer or broader sleeve with more flounce. This feminine, blue, bell-sleeved blouse is a beautiful choice for your casually chic lifestyle.

As far as styling goes, you’ll want to keep these things in mind:

1. Pick a bell-sleeved top that is not too wide or baggy. The sleeves are already wide. Add a wide top, and you will look sloppy and heavy.
2. Keep your bottom half streamlined. You’ve got a lot of movement up top, so keep things compact and narrow below. For example, pairing skinny jeans or leggings will emphasize the sleeves.
3. Wear simple accessories so as not to distract from the drama of the bell sleeves.

Are you ready to make a statement wearing bell sleeves this fall?

Did you see the crisscross sweater with bell sleeves I just bought? Have a look and tell me what you think. I’ve put together a small collage (above) of cute bell-sleeved tops in stores.