The Trend I Wore All Fashion Week Will Be Even Bigger for Spring

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As someone who appreciates simplicity, I totally understand why the puffy-sleeve trend can feel like . . . a lot. Ample arms, big shoulders, and billowing cuffs aren't exactly subtle. I generally subscribe to a classic and minimal aesthetic, but often find myself drawn to feminine flourishes like pretty prints, cute colors, and yes, you guessed it, fanciful sleeves, too; particularly when I'm craving a more standout look. So, as I prepared a lineup of outfits to wear throughout New York Fashion Week, where novelty is rewarded on the street style scene, I decided to rock puffy sleeves in top, dress, and sweater form. And let me tell you, the trend is a lot more wearable than you may think.

Since I tend toward simple pieces, the bulk of my wardrobe can teeter into humdrum territory if I'm not inventive. But with a closet full of classic silhouettes and neutral colors, I struggle to achieve impact sans the whole "try-hard" thing (me sporting a maximalist look would be akin to witnessing a mermaid on land: unnatural and technically not even a thing). It wasn't until I came across a few puffy-sleeve pieces that it dawned on me; a little volume can go a long way. I can still feel like me if I temper a bold sleeve with muted colors, clean lines, and uncomplicated accessories. Even if I dared to wear a puffy sleeve in a brighter hue (which I did!), I've deduced that minimal extras make me feel comfortable and more willing to experiment; what better feeling to enter into fashion month with?

My puffy-sleeve success story doesn't stop here, however. After witnessing the first few shows and presentations of the week, I quickly realized that the puffy-sleeve trend isn't going anywhere for Spring. In fact, it's getting bigger than ever, with swingy bishop sleeves, Princess-style shoulders, and '80s-inspired shapes both for day and night popping up all over the runways. Am I just tooting my own horn for being in line with such a prominent trend? Absolutely not. But it makes me feel good knowing I've invested in a trendy silhouette that will be sticking around into Spring and Summer. And in turn, I'm hoping this encourages you to try your hand at the trend, too.

Without further ado, check out five puffy-sleeve outfits I wore to the Spring 2020 shows and presentations throughout New York Fashion Week ahead, and shop my looks head to toe. Then, to preview the 2020 version of puffy sleeves, scroll through for all of my favorite moments from the runway.

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Shirt, Jeans, Heels, and a Bag
POPSUGAR Photography | Laura Lajiness

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Shirt, Jeans, Heels, and a Bag

I started my fashion week out on an easy-chic note, pairing a white shirt with puffy sleeves back to loose-fitting jeans. For a fun pop, I opted for pink square-toe heels and finished with a snake-print bag and baroque pearl earrings. As a modern take on the classic button-down shirt, this puffy-sleeve outfit formula is perfect for the office (if denim is approved by HR, that is).

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Sweater, Pants, Sandals, and a Bag
Style Du Monde

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Sweater, Pants, Sandals, and a Bag

Getting a little bolder, I tried my hand at the Safari dressing trend, but stayed in my comfort zone by way of a neutral palette. The sweater — which features blouson sleeves — felt perfectly balanced with slim-fitting utility pants and barley-there sandals. For a sleek finish, I went with an army-green bag and gold jewelry.

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Dress, Bag, Sandals, and Earrings
Getty | Christian Vierig

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Dress, Bag, Sandals, and Earrings

This smocked white dress doesn't feature puffy sleeves per se, but the pleated cuffs still fit within the genre of drama in my opinion. I opted for a structured bag to balance out the femininity of my dress, but otherwise kept this look ethereal with white sandals and mismatched pearl earrings.

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Dress, Heels, a Bag, and Earrings
Style Du Monde

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Dress, Heels, a Bag, and Earrings

Taking a minimal approach to puffy sleeves, I retreated to my neutral comfort zone by way of a black midi dress. Featuring both ample shoulders and voluminous arms, this look felt perfectly stylish for the work day without appearing overly bold. For an easy-but-fun finish, I went with a satin bag and block heels in teal.

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Dress, Bag, Sandals, and Necklaces
Style Du Monde

My Puffy-Sleeve Outfit: A Dress, Bag, Sandals, and Necklaces

My loud-and-proud puffy sleeve moment came at the end of fashion week via this red maxi dress, which I offset with sleek black accessories and delicate necklaces. Though this dress features Princess-like sleeves, the structured fabric and zipper prevented my look from feeling overly sweet. I'd wear it again to a party or event, or even to the office with boots in the Fall.

Puffy Sleeves on the Tory Burch Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Tory Burch Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Tory Burch Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Tory Burch Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Zimmermann Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Zimmermann Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Zimmermann Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Zimmermann Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Zimmermann Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Zimmermann Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Prabal Gurung Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Prabal Gurung Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Prabal Gurung Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Prabal Gurung Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Prabal Gurung Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Prabal Gurung Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Ulla Johnson Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Ulla Johnson Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Ulla Johnson Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Ulla Johnson Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Ulla Johnson Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Ulla Johnson Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Tibi Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Tibi Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Tibi Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Tibi Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Carolina Herrera Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE

Puffy Sleeves on the Carolina Herrera Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Carolina Herrera Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE

Puffy Sleeves on the Carolina Herrera Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Brandon Maxwell Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Salvatore Dragone

Puffy Sleeves on the Brandon Maxwell Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Brandon Maxwell Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Salvatore Dragone

Puffy Sleeves on the Brandon Maxwell Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Khaite Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Khaite Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Khaite Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Khaite Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Adam Lippes Runway at New York Fashion Week
Courtesy of Adam Lippes

Puffy Sleeves on the Adam Lippes Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Brock Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on The Row Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Courtesy of Press Office

Puffy Sleeves on The Row Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Michael Kors Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Michael Kors Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Michael Kors Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Michael Kors Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Michael Kors Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Michael Kors Collection Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Self-Portrait Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE

Puffy Sleeves on the Self-Portrait Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Self-Portrait Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE

Puffy Sleeves on the Self-Portrait Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Self-Portrait Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE

Puffy Sleeves on the Self-Portrait Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Jonathan Simkhai Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Jonathan Simkhai Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Jonathan Simkhai Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Jonathan Simkhai Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Staud Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Staud Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Staud Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Staud Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Kate Spade New York Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Salvatore Dragone

Puffy Sleeves on the Kate Spade New York Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Kate Spade New York Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Salvatore Dragone

Puffy Sleeves on the Kate Spade New York Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Oscar de la Renta Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Oscar de la Renta Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Christian Cowan Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Christian Cowan Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Lela Rose Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Lela Rose Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Lela Rose Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Lela Rose Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Adeam Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Adeam Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Adeam Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Adeam Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Longchamp Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Longchamp Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Longchamp Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Isidore Montag

Puffy Sleeves on the Longchamp Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Sally LaPointe Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Sally LaPointe Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Anna Sui Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Anna Sui Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Anna Sui Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Paolo Lanzi

Puffy Sleeves on the Anna Sui Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves at the Rosie Assoulin Presentation at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Salvatore Dragone

Puffy Sleeves at the Rosie Assoulin Presentation at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Batsheva Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Batsheva Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Marc Jacobs Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Marc Jacobs Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Marc Jacobs Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Marc Jacobs Runway at New York Fashion Week

Puffy Sleeves on the Marc Jacobs Runway at New York Fashion Week
IMAXTREE | Daniele Oberrauch

Puffy Sleeves on the Marc Jacobs Runway at New York Fashion Week