Statement Sleeves

July 31, 2017

Fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera walks in downtown Winnipeg wearing a grey Metisu ruffle sleeve dress and Pierre Hardy heelsPortrait of Winnipeg fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera wearing Celine Audrey sunglasses and a grey dressStyle blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera walks in downtown Winnipeg wearing a grey Metisu dress and carrying a Celine trio bagOutfit details on fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera wearing a grey ruffle sleeve dress from MetisuFashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera stands next to The Mall Plaza wearing a Metisu dress, Pierre Hardy heels and Celine sunglassesMetisu dress (c/o)
Pierre Hardy heels
Celine bag
Celine sunglasses

The statement sleeve trend is inescapable. Every time you scroll Instagram, browse an online store or pick up a magazine, statement sleeves are there. In general, I am relatively ambivalent to trends – I know what I like to wear, and that’s what I stick with wearing. But lately, I find myself increasingly attracted to minimal styles and unconventional silhouettes – exaggerated sleeves included.

From an aesthetic standpoint, I can’t think of a single thing about statement sleeves I don’t love. They’re eye-catching, adding character and dimension to any outfit. But from a practical perspective, they’re less than ideal. I have a knack for knocking things over with my regular sleeves, so I could only imagine how many tea cups, wine glasses and salt shakers I would knock over with a statement sleeve.

But sometimes, a garment comes along that makes me throw all caution to the wind, and this dress was exactly one of those garments. The perfect soft grey shade caught my eye immediately. And the softly draped ruffle sleeve was just too gorgeous to resist. It’s actually the cut of this dress that I love best. Call it age or maturity or wisdom, I’m not sure which it is, but these days I have absolutely no desire to fit myself into any dress that hugs my curves too closely because, well, because I’d rather eat food, drink wine and enjoy life than worry about if my stomach looks flat. But the sleeves are what make strangers stop me in the street to ask where I got my dress. And, to be honest, I can’t blame them for wanting to know.

I’ve only worn this dress once so far. Thus, it remains to be seen if I will be able to keep the statement sleeves clean in the long term. But I love it enough to take the risk. Since it took me so long to come around to this trend, I’m curious – where do you stand on statement sleeves? And how do you wear them (without getting them dirty?)

9 comments so far.

9 responses to “Statement Sleeves”

  1. I don’t have any pieces with statement sleeves in my closet (I’m quite sure I’d get them dirty within an hour) but this fabulous dress makes me want to get some. This is just impossibly lovely on you…

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

  2. Lorena says:

    Beautiful falls short here Cee.. you look stunning, what a glorious dress !!!
    Oh and don’t even try… the sleeves will always get dirty-

  3. I LOVE the sleeves on this dress! Super chic.

  4. Sherin says:

    I have seen the statement sleeve friend for a while. I’m a massive fan, even though I’ve not tried it for myself yet. It suits you and the dress is so pretty.

  5. Melanie says:

    You look awsome! The dress is amazing and the pumps very classic :-*

    Melanie / http://www.goldzeitblog.de

  6. There are some I like and some I don’ like Cee. I love the dress you’re wearing. It fits in with your aesthetic and the sleeves are divine on you. So pretty.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

  7. I’m a fan of statement sleeves (although for me and my bohemian-tinged style, they tend to manifest more as hippie-esque bell sleeves). I can honestly say that this dress is perfection on you. You wear those sleeves well. It looks like it was made for you!

  8. This dress is seriously phenomenal and when it comes to statement sleeves?! I’m all in!! As well as wearing clothes that allow me to enjoy life! Couldn’t agree more!! And… how excited am I?! I can’t believe I get to see you tomorrow. Yay, yay!!! Best news ever, seriously! Safe travels love!! xo

    http://www.girlandcloset.com

  9. Lyddiegal says:

    I love this dress, I immediately felt it had a couture look, and was completely surprised to see it’s less than $60! Statement sleeves are a challenge. I’d totally be the one dragging them through my pasta sauce or dunking them in my coffee. But the look is just too good, and for the price, it’s okay to have a little fun. Because not everything has to be a forever purchase, right?
    http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/

Cee Fardoe is a thirty-something Canadian blogger who splits her time between Winnipeg and Paris. She is a voracious reader, avid tea-drinker, insatiable wanderer and fashion lover who prefers to dress in black, white and gray.

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