The History of Fashion: Most Important Style Moments of the 20th Century
1930s: Puff Sleeves
Moving away from the Chanel "garconne" look of the 1920s, women of this decade returned to more feminine shapes in their wardrobes. The puff sleeve was said to help bring back the curves of a woman’s body, while also helping to create a curve if the woman didn’t have one. According to Elizabeth Leese in Costume Design in the Movies, Joan Crawford wore a puff-sleeved gown in the movie Letty Lynton which popular department store Macy’s replicated--and they ended up selling 500 thousand dresses nationwide.
6