How to Wear Bell Sleeves, Two Ways

Can I be honest for a second?

I’m slow to warm up to trends. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit and I like what I like, but every year, new trends roll in and there’s always a few that I’m hesitant about. Maybe it’s because they’re just that—trends—and I have trouble investing in pieces that might not be in style a year from now.

Bell sleeves were one of those trends that I was really on the fence about. The first time I saw them, I hated them. They reminded me of some frilly shirt I’d worn for my second grade class photos (that I paired with a sunflower broom skirt, classic Texas!), and I couldn’t believe they were making a comeback.

But, finally I decided to try one on and see what the hype was all about. After all, can you really say you hate something if you haven’t tried it? Turns out I was wrong. I actually loved it once I had it on! This top is feminine, delicate and adds so much more personality to a seemingly simple outfit.

I picked it up at Ann Taylor a few weeks ago, clearly I’m obsessed with all of their lace things right now (more next week!), and wore it two weeks ago to The Everygirl & Cuyana dinner at Nellcôte. Sidenote, Ann Taylor is currently offering 50% off select full-price styles, head over there now, as they have so many amazing new pieces!

This bell sleeve top elevated my simple ‘jeans and a top’ outfit and made it a lot fancier and party-ready, while still being comfortable! I love that it’s semi-sheer too. It looks great with just a black bra, or for more coverage, layer a cami underneath!

In case you’re on the fence about the whole bell-sleeve trend too, I styled it two ways today to show you that it’s not only versatile and chic, but that you can totally pull it off. With the holidays around the corner, these festive sleeves need to be in your wardrobe!

How do you feel about trends? What about this one in particular?

*photos by Iron & Honey and Shaheen Khan

BTW, girls’ night at Hugo’s Frog Bar, and how I stay fit and healthy.