I cannot count the number of times this singular fashion trend has come up for discussion through friends/blogs/Facebook inquiries the past couple of weeks: Cold Shoulders. That’s right. The overwhelming trend this year is the cold shoulder. Shoulders are cut out. Shoulders fall off. Mercy, shoulders are running around naked all over the country.
The questions around the cold shoulder trend inspired this week’s Fashion Friday.
Question 1: What are your thoughts on the trend?
Question 2: Is it work appropriate?
Every person I’ve talked to has different opinions on Question 1:
- I hate the trend;
- I love the trend;
- I only love the shoulder cut out trend;
- I only love the off the shoulder trend…
You get the drift.
On the other hand, the answer to Question 2 is nearly universal, regardless of geographic region or career field:
NO. It’s not work appropriate.
So let’s pick the trend apart.
What is the trend? In case you’ve been living in a small dirt hole underground, here’s a few of the cold shoulder trends you can pick up today at your local retailer.
Ann Taylor:
One shoulder deep ruffle top which can look summery and sophisticated for a night out:
Off the shoulder poplin top:
Y’all, this is how they style it (apparently for work). I have so many words to say here (including hi Dorothy, where’s Toto?). I personally wouldn’t recommend this look… but as we established last week, my atheistic isn’t Millennial.
There are lots of dresses sporting the trend:
And finally, y’all, this shirt is LONG SLEEVED without shoulders (shakes head sadly):
Nordstrom:
While these cold shoulders could easily be covered with a blazer for work, when you pull the blazer off for cocktail hour, does this look a little like you have bandages or military cuffs on your arm?
Riddle me this. If you are cold enough to need a sweater, why would you cut the shoulders out?
Ahem, I know none of you would wear this, but I couldn’t resist – cold shoulder AND a romper. Mercy. You know my feelings on rompers. Just don’t…
Banana Republic:
I’m actually bananas about this one shoulder dress but I’d never wear it to work – but for church, a date, a brunch, count me in:
On the other hand, what’s the point of even having the sleeve if this much of the shoulder is out:
J. Crew:
At least our friends at J.Crew are styling these cuter casual off the shoulder blouses with shorts which does make them a lovely option for your neighborhood picnic:
Obviously, these aren’t exactly peripheral fashion sites.
I will wear the trend, but I prefer the off-the-shoulder and one-shoulder looks to the cut out shoulder look. When I tried that in a dressing room, it just felt unfinished. But here’s me on a date with my hubby to see Tom Petty – this cold shoulder number is from Express and I love it for nights out:
So, sound off! What say you? Love the trend? Some of the trend? Hate the trend?
Where do you wear it? Ever tried it at the office?
Gindi this post is hilarious! One of your most dead on!
The Dorothy dress!! Ack! And dear lord the romper thing!!! Shudder.
And I think the off one shoulder big ruffle trend is way too Chiquita banana lady! Wheres the fruit hat?
Having said that I have a lovely sky blue dress off both shoulders like yours that is perfect for poolside and summer dinner dates. And a breezy loose white drop shoulder same deal it’s a poolside dress. And it lets me do the white trend without having to do white jeans.
I would never ever wear off the shoulder to work. But have a seen it in my building? Yep.
Keep up the awesome work. Great post.
It’s not appropriate for the work place and its awkward for those of us with bra trenches in our shoulders. The only way I would wear it? With shoulder straps that cover the bra trenches.