The Rise of Extra-Long Sleeves: Fashion’s Cozy and Sensual Trend
Fashion’s latest trend of extra-long sleeves is taking the industry by storm, combining comfort and sensuality in a unique way.
This party season, soup may be off the menu at stylish tables due to fashion’s current obsession with extra-long sleeves. From the catwalks of Acne, Balenciaga, and Givenchy to the wardrobes of celebrities like Alexa Chung and Ncuti Gatwa, oversized sleeves have become a prominent trend. Even Gen Alpha, represented by 10-year-old North West, is embracing this fashion statement. While it may seem impractical for everyday activities like eating, the allure of extra-long sleeves cannot be denied.
Accessible Fashion: From Runway to High Street
Brands like Raey, COS, and Other Stories have made this trend accessible to a wider audience. Moreover, Jigsaw’s collaboration with designer Roksanda Ilinčić showcases colorful knits with longer sleeves, making it a central theme in their collection. For those on a budget, shopping vintage and sizing up is a viable option to achieve the desired look.
A Quirk Loved by Fashion
The extra-long sleeve has been a beloved quirk in the fashion industry for a few years. The New York Times reported on “fashion that doesn’t let you use your hands” in 2016, while Vogue highlighted long sleeves as a fashion editor favorite during fashion week in 2022. However, this winter, the trend has reached new heights, combining the popular “cosy girl” aesthetic from TikTok with a 90s vibe. Fashion icons like Kurt Cobain, known for his oversized knitwear, have played a role in popularizing this trend.
The Rise of the “Cosy Girl”
The “cosy girl” aesthetic gained popularity last winter and has since become a sensation on TikTok, with the hashtag #cozygirl accumulating 29.4 million views. This trend prioritizes comfort and a hygge-style homebody feel, drawing inspiration from 90s romantic comedies like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail.” Cream-colored knitwear and oversized coats with sleeves that extend over the hands are key elements of this style. Katie Holmes has become a modern style icon for the “cosy girl” look, as recently declared by Vogue.
Sensuality and Unexpected Elegance
Designer Nensi Dojaka, known for her label favored by celebrities like Dua Lipa and Rihanna, has made longer sleeves a signature element of her designs. She believes that longer sleeves add sensuality to the wearer’s attitude and subtly elongate the arms and silhouette. In the realm of evening dresses, where showing skin is often the norm, longer sleeves create an unexpected elegance and a touch of mystery. Additionally, they provide warmth and coziness during colder temperatures.
Conclusion: The trend of extra-long sleeves has taken the fashion world by storm, combining comfort, sensuality, and unexpected elegance. From the high street to the runway, this trend has become accessible to a wide audience. Whether it’s the “cosy girl” aesthetic or the allure of mystery and sensuality, extra-long sleeves have become a must-have fashion statement. So, while soup may be off the menu at stylish tables this party season, fashion enthusiasts are willing to make that sacrifice for the sake of style.
