Sleeve It Or Leave It

(Clockwise from top left: Burberry, Calvin Klein 205W39NYC,Dries Van Noten, Stella McCartney, J.W. Anderson, Ermenegildo Zegna Couture)

We haven’t talked about arms this much since Michelle Obama. Designers extended their mixed-media mindset beyond accessories and into outerwear, recasting sleeves in a lead role this fall. Stella McCartney combined delicate, sheer lace with rigid suiting fabric, while Jonathan Anderson paired punchy red-and-white crocheting with muted navy wool. Burberry’s Christopher Bailey celebrated unabashed English pride with tartan plaid and gingham. And Dries Van Noten juxtaposed formality and showmanship by way of pairing a sharp tailoring with whimsical violet and green faux-fur sleeves. This eclectic mix of patterns, colors, textures, and fabrics embrace sartorial confidence and ingenuity—much like the former first lady herself.