Puff Sleeve Bikini

What a puff sleeve does on a bikini

A puff sleeve is a short sleeve gathered at both edges — at the shoulder it reads soft and romantic, and in the water it adds a little structure over the upper arm. The gathering is what gives the sleeve its volume; without it the same fabric sits flat.

The edit runs 5 styles, about $27 to $46 — four two pieces and a long sleeve cutout monokini, all carrying the sleeve on a swim cut.

The styles in this edit

• High waisted tie front set with the classic puff sleeve
• Short puff sleeve self tie high waist bikini
• Tropical floral puff sleeve high waist set
• Floral sleeved high cut bandeau with Brazilian bottom
• Puff long sleeve tropical cutout monokini one piece

Styling puff sleeve swim

• The sleeve already carries the softness — keep the bottom line clean and the accessories minimal
• Tie front versions adjust at the neck, so wear them with the knot at your own tension
• The floral sleeve versions read as resort wear; an open shirt on top extends the set off the beach
• Match the sleeve colorway to your cover up and the outfit reads as one piece

Caring for sleeve and gathered swim

• Work the rinse through the gathers — salt and chlorine settle in the pleats of the sleeve first
• Dry with the sleeves open, not bunched — trapped moisture sits in the gathered seam
• Smooth the gathers before storage rather than ironing; heat marks swim fabric
• Check the shoulder seam after each wash; it carries the sleeve weight