Like most fashion styles, the bell sleeve trend is one that has been coming on for a few seasons now. Slowly but surely, we’ve seen sleeves become larger, wider and definitely more pronounced.
This spring season, the variety of bell sleeve blouses couldn’t be more diverse. There’s everything from small and trumpet-like sleeves to full-scale billowing ruffles.
For those looking to transition their wardrobes from heavy winter layers to more revealing, lightweight styles, the bell sleeve blouse couldn’t have come at a better time. What do you wear when it’s not cold enough for a woolen sweater but still too chilly for a sleeveless vest? A bell sleeve top fits the bill perfectly, keeping you covered in light, cozy layers.
Then there’s the issue of proportion. Nobody needs extra weight around their stomach or hip area. The forearm though? Perfect. A few extra ruffles at the end of your arms are flirty, feminine and just a little indulgent. And isn’t that what spring is all about?
We’ve collected 40 of the most beautiful bell sleeve tops to make you the belle of the ball this spring!
Make a Bold Statement with Ruffled Bell Sleeves
1) Ruffling the Edges
When the weather lightens up, there’s no hotter trend right now than bare shoulders and bell sleeves. Model Marta Lozano was spotted at New York Fashion Week in a gray off-the-shoulder design featuring beautifully layered ruffle bell sleeves.
2) Carefree in the City
This stunning spring top combines three of this season’s biggest trends: stripes, bell sleeves, and an off-the-shoulder silhouette.
Make this statement piece the highlight of your outfit by pairing it with simple crisp white pants. A shiny red clutch purse by YSL rounds the look off beautifully.
3) Billowing Bells
Let the bells be the star of your outfit. This bell sleeve blouse has an air of romance about it. Style this pale pink number simply with high-waisted jeans and barely-there jewelry for a feminine yet modern look.
4) Linen Luxury
This look is all about styling. Notice the way these boyfriend jeans are cuffed once right above the ankles to show off a gorgeous pair of bright red stiletto heels. On top, the eye is drawn to an off-the-shoulder blouse in crisp white cotton.
5) Pastel Palette
Who says an outfit can’t be made up solely of pastels? We love this dreamy ensemble consisting of comfortable beige shorts and a cropped pale pink top featuring large waterfall bell sleeves.
6) Modern Muse
This ensemble is guaranteed to turn every head you pass by. Make a stylish statement in this fitted off-the-shoulder top which features large bell sleeves with a double black trim. A slim-fitting high-waisted skirt and thigh-high patterned boots give this look a sophisticated feel.
7) Urban Edge
Urban, modern and sophisticated – that’s the persona created by this high fashion ensemble.
Style blogger Maria Vizuete knows how to mix hard with soft as she pairs ripped black skinny jeans with a dramatic off-the-shoulder bell sleeve top. Black studded stiletto pumps add even more rock star edge to this urban look.
8) Plaid Attitude
Make the sidewalk your catwalk in this edgy ensemble, seen here on fashion blogger Micah Gianneli. She expertly styles an off-the-shoulder bell sleeve blouse with high-waisted skinny jeans. The bright colors of the plaid fabric are complemented beautifully by dark blue distressed denim.
9) Check Mate
This V-neck off-the-shoulder blouse is fun and quirky with a feminine charm. Add to it bell sleeves and a cute bow on the front and you’ve got a style winner. Pair it simply with dark blue denim jeans and fine jewelry for a stylish daytime look.
10) Office Etiquette
When dull days at the office call for a little inspiration, look no further than your closet.
This stylish work outfit is made up of a high-waisted wrap pencil skirt covered in mixed stripes and daring yellow stilettos. The real standout item, however, is a V-neck bell sleeve blouse in beautiful blue.
11) Trumpet Call
Who doesn’t love the drama of big dramatic sleeves? This ensemble would be equally appropriate at a red carpet event as it would be on an impromptu drinks date with the girls. Get the look by pairing a gray bell sleeve off-the-shoulder blouse with a black lace-up mini skirt and watch the heads turn your way.
12) Streets of Style
Walk the streets with confidence like an urban street style star in this no-nonsense city look.
Skinny jeans are boldly ripped on the knees, but it’s a glossy off-the-shoulder bell sleeve blouse that really draws the eye in. Turn up the glamor even more with sky-high white stiletto heels and a black leather bowler handbag.
Wearing Bell Sleeves for Chilly Spring Days
13) Bell Sleeves and Patchwork
What could be more en vogue than patchwork denim, you ask? Beautiful bell sleeves, that’s what. This look pairs the two in spectacular fashion. A woolen turtleneck sweater with bell sleeves fits perfectly with straight-leg two-tone denim jeans and patterned court pumps.
14) Blushing Beauty
This look gives a sophisticated, grown-up feel to the blush pink trend. A pair of straight-leg denim jeans features a frayed edge leading onto nude pointy stiletto pumps. It’s the bell sleeve blouse with fine black spots that earns all the style points here though.
15) Oversized Comfort
We get it – spring weather can be unpredictable. When you’re not quite ready to bare too much skin, an oversized bell sleeve top can keep you cozy and still stylishly on trend. Accessorize it with modern, grungy items like this black button-up skirt and Doc Marten combat boots.
16) A Touch of Blush
Here is one item that will carry you through every season for its versatility and comfort. This woolen turtleneck comes in the season’s prettiest shade of blush pink plus features must-have bell sleeves. All that’s needed to top it off is a pair of classic blue high-waisted mom jeans and funky embroidered ankle boots.
17) Burgundy Belle
If dark and brooding is your style motif, there are still plenty of options for you come springtime. Take this bell sleeve blouse in dark burgundy, for example.
Worn with a slim-fitting dark denim mini skirt, the effect is chic, cool and very modern. Don’t forget to add a pop of color like this acrylic clutch purse by Karl Lagerfeld.
18) Sweet ‘n Feminine
In a soft shade of peacock blue, this bell sleeve top is a feminine take on the latest trend. Choose an edgy pair of ripped jeans and strappy block heels to add an urban feel to the whole ensemble.
19) Springtime Cozy
For those days when winter just doesn’t want to die down, there’s a bell sleeve sweater to keep you warm. This gray woolen variety from Banana Republic features sweet bows on the wrists, perfectly accented by a gray Gucci handbag and ripped skinny black jeans.
20) Leather ‘n Lace
When it comes to edgy dressing, leather leggings are never far behind. They fit perfectly with an elegant bell sleeve blouse made of delicate white lace. Hints of black are scattered throughout this look, tying in with bold, black accessories.
21) Sequins at Sunset
Bell sleeves can be sporty too; it all depends on how you style it. To incorporate the athleisure trend into your look, choose a bell sleeve top that is sure to stand out against your more casual items. This sequined top is a style winner when worn with simple ripped jeans and white trainers.
22) A Splash of Chartreuse
Don’t be afraid to play with color, fabrics and shape this season. Just take a look at this must-have bell sleeve blouse made of delicate lace in a bold shade of chartreuse.
A black bra peeks out underneath, matching perfectly with ripped black skinny jeans and black leather ankle strap sandals.
Keep It All Classic
23) Business Brief
This look is a pure class all the way.
Start off with a pair of tailored navy blue pants tied high on the waist. A sheer white bell sleeve blouse is an elegant addition, while pointy Christian Louboutin pumps tie it all together.
24) A Vision in Violet
If your skin hasn’t got that summer glow just quite yet, this ensemble of pale violet shades was made for you.
A pair of floral high-waisted shorts gives an old-world French charm to this soft chiffon bell sleeve blouse. The perfect accessories come in the form of dainty metallic strappy sandals as well as the ever-classic Gucci Dionysus Supreme handbag.
25) Button-down Best
Bell sleeves? Check. Button-down front? Check. Vertical stripes? Check. This great blouse from Asos features three significant trends all in one.
Style this item as simply as possible to keep that structured, sophisticated effect. All that is required is a pair of basic blue jeans and an easy clutch purse.
26) Peplum Pizzazz
There’s no color combination quite as classically elegant as blue and pure white. Here we see a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans worn with a feminine peplum-style bell sleeve top. The effect is classy and sophisticated, finished with white pointy stiletto heels from Zara.
27) Crisp in Cut-Out
Black and white create the ultimate color contrast. Take this up a notch by wearing skinny-fit jeans underneath a voluminous white top, complete with flared bell sleeves.
To add some personality to the look, add touches of your favorite animal print in your accessories.
28) Cute in Camel
Play the part of an old Hollywood movie star in this ensemble based around a voluminous babydoll bell sleeve blouse. We can just imagine Audrey Hepburn walking across movie sets in this outfit of camel pants and ballet flats, can’t you?
29) Laced-Up in Pastels
Style blogger Pam Hetlinger puts her spin on the bell sleeve trend. Her take involves tucking in a lace-up blush pink blouse into the hem of high-waisted white linen pants. A final polishing touch is the ever-elegant Chloé Drew sling handbag.
30) A Classic Statement
If classic and demure is your go-to style persona, no problem – the bell sleeve trend is right up your alley. We love this ensemble of black cigarette pants paired with a pure white off-the-shoulder bell sleeve blouse. A breathtaking pair of statement heels by Sophie Webster puts on the finishing touch.
Summery Bells: Bell Sleeves Were Made for Sunny Weather
31) Laidback Spring Basics
Sure, summer may be a few months away still, but beachy tropical prints never go out of style.
Fashion blogger Jessi Afshin dons a pair of cut-off white denim shorts plus a blue-and-white printed chiffon bell sleeve top. A bright orange handbag adds even more fun to the holiday-inspired ensemble.
32) Off-the-shoulder Mission
Off-the-shoulder bell sleeves plus a roomy wrap skirt is a classic pairing that works equally well on a holiday resort as it does on a weekend picnic. We love this white off-the-shoulder style on blogger Lene Orvik which she wears with an easy-fit black skirt and slip-on Adidas sandals.
33) Graceful in Gingham
A pair of white shorts is one of the most versatile items you can own over the warmer months.
The styling options truly are endless, like this stunning outfit matched with a gingham-print bell sleeve blouse. Complete the holiday ensemble with a pair of camel ankle-strap sandals, a woven carry-all handbag, and a boater hat.
34) Holiday Daze
So what if it’s not actually spring break yet – you can still dress like it. Take a style cue from blogger Jacqueline Mikuta and get into the holiday spirit with an off-the-shoulder blouse with lace-trimmed bell sleeves.
The effect is relaxed and carefree, especially when matched with cut-off denim shorts and lace-up espadrilles.
35) Leg-Baring Style
This look shows us the secret to wearing revealing, leg-baring shorts: keep the top baggy and slightly oversized.
Style blogger Aimee Song gets the balance just right, by going for a loose-fitting V-neck top with large bell sleeves. She then adds some pizzazz down below with a pair of trendy Valentino heels and a fun neon green Proenza Schouler handbag.
36) Florals for Spring
What better way to celebrate the spring season than with a gorgeous bell sleeve blouse adorned with bright floral blooms? This off-the-shoulder top from Topshop pairs perfectly with crisp white skinny jeans. The accessories are kept neutral and classic – simply a large tote bag and wedge sandals, both in rich tan leather.
37) Prairie Poise
Spring clothing should be all about lightweight, breathable fabrics and an easygoing, comfortable fit. This outfit ticks both those boxes ever-so-stylishly. Trendy style blogger Alyssa May wears a pair of roughly ripped cut-off denim shorts underneath a prairie-style bell sleeve top adorned with lace.
38) Mango Mystique
Make this spring season your most stylish one yet, and this outfit is a great place to start. This bell sleeve blouse makes a bold statement in bright yellow.
Fashion blogger Sarah Butler knows to keep the rest of the outfit simple and elegant, opting for high-waisted black shorts and dainty ankle strap stiletto sandals by Prada.
39) Chiffon Chic
Beautiful layers of sheer chiffon are enough to get anyone excited about the warm weather months to come.
This outfit celebrates the best of this delicate fabric – a bell sleeve V-neck chiffon top layered lightly over white crochet shorts. Chunky metallic jewelry adds just the right amount of edge to this fun, romantic look.
40) Aquamarine Dream
This top features a bell sleeve in its truest form. With such dramatic sleeves, it’s best to keep the rest of the look as laid back and relaxed as possible. The perfect choice is a pair of distressed cut-off denim shorts and brown leather wedge sandals.