So Long, Sleeves!
Just the other day while watching the Today show, I wondered what the temperature was in New York City. Why? Because the anchors had on sleeveless dresses while it appeared to be snowing in the background. Huh?
Then, I went to my local department store to try and find a suitable dress for a winter business dinner, and, to my surprise, rack after rack was filled with dresses without sleeves.
A few days later, the Today show anchors actually did an interview with a dress designer to ask about the “sleeveless” phenomenon. What they found out was rather fascinating.
Apparently, dress designers are making winter dresses without sleeves for two main reasons:
Reason one: It’s easier to layer sleeveless dresses.
The designer explained that many women like to layer their winter dresses with a cardigan or blazer. Wearing a sleeveless dress makes it much easier to fit these layers over top and makes for a more comfortable look. The absence of sleeves gives you less bulk so that, even if it’s really cold outside, you can throw a coat on over top of all your layers and still be able to move your arms.
Reason two: Sleeveless dresses look nicer on the hanger.
This reason fascinated me but completely made sense. Sleeves are hard to visualize when hanging limp off a hanger. For this reason, a designer who wants to sell more may have greater success with looks that don’t include sleeves. If you see a cute, sans-sleeve dress on the hanger, you don’t get distracted by how the sleeves may look. You can fall in love with it before even trying it on! This is a win for designers, who know exactly how to capture a shopper’s attention.
Another upside to the sleeveless dress in the winter?
It can likely last you through the spring (depending on the fabrics and colors). Pair the same dress with a vibrant cardigan or a lighter-weight blazer and instantly extend the wear ability of the same dress.
Of course, one of my favorite looks to match any dress in any season is a great pair of designer sunglasses. Don’t be afraid to add some flare with some fashion frames, especially if you are keeping your jewelry classic! Picture the iconic Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and choose a gorgeous pair of sunglasses to go with that feminine dress you choose! Here are two great options that could pair well with any sleeveless dress. Click the images to try them on virtually!
What is your favorite winter trend? Let us know in the comments below!