The 70s was all about the flares — take it from Stevie Nicks and her Fleetwood Mac stage outfits. Even in the 90s, the trend continued to be a mainstay as fashion fell in love with the puffy, bell-sleeves on the series Seinfeld. Case in point: classic pieces will never go out of style and it’s a fool-proof way to make your wardrobe stylish for all seasons.
After being a staple in three fashionable eras, the bell sleeves are back and better than ever. Not only will it upgrade the basics, but it will also give your movements a lot more pizzazz.
Below are four ways to style the playful, bell sleeve top:
- For an elevated workwear look, toughen up a sweet, off-shoulder top with a black longline vest and a matching black skirt.

2.Wear a moto jacket over the statement top to strategically show off the billowing cuffs. P.S. Pick an outerwear that comes with zippers on its hemlines to achieve the look.

3. Absolutely apt for summer, take your favorite slip dressSlip DressA slim, lightweight dress with thin straps, a simple bodice, and a fluid silhouette, usually cut on the bias in silk or satin. Inspired by lingerie, the slip dress looksGo to Slip Dress Glossary and layer it with a light tiered-sleeve top. Finish off with a chic pair of metallic flats.

4. Put a twist on a romantic ensembleEnsembleA complete, coordinated outfit in which each garment and accessory is chosen to work together as one look. Stylists build ensembles around a theme, color story, or occasion, and theGo to Ensemble Glossary by adding contrast — think wearing a white floral dress with a plain black bell-sleeved top. For a pop of color, accessorize the look with a bold-colored statement mini bag!

Frequently Asked Questions
The bell sleeve top is a playful trend that MEGA says has been a staple across three eras: the 70s, referencing Stevie Nicks’s Fleetwood Mac stage outfits, the 90s, with the puffy sleeves on Seinfeld, and now. It is described as upgrading basics and adding pizzazz to movement.
For a workwear look, MEGA suggests toughening up a sweet, off-shoulder bell sleeve top with a black longline vest and a matching black skirt. The styling pairs a romantic top with sharper tailoring, and is the first of four ways the feature recommends wearing the trend.
MEGA suggests wearing a moto jacket over a statement bell sleeve top so the billowing cuffs show. It recommends choosing outerwear with zippers on its hemlines to achieve the look, as the second of four ways to style the playful top.
For summer, MEGA suggests layering a light tiered-sleeve top over a favorite slip dress and finishing with a chic pair of metallic flats. The feature calls this look absolutely apt for summer and includes it as the third of four ways to style bell sleeves.
To put a twist on a romantic outfit, MEGA suggests adding contrast by wearing a white floral dress with a plain black bell-sleeved top. It adds that a bold-colored statement mini bag can supply a pop of color, as the fourth of its bell sleeve styling ideas.
- KEYWORDS
- Belle Sleeve
- fashion
