We’ve done sheer skirts, exposed bras, micro shorts, and cutouts in every possible form. And this fall, we're showing skin in a way that's a lot more subtle. Enter: the bare wrist.
Three-quarter sleeves are officially back, from fitted tops and dresses to chunky knits and oversized tailoring. It’s a small detail, but one that makes a surprisingly convincing case for showing a lot less skin.
The Spring/Summer 2027 runways are already making the case. At New York Fashion Week, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein both sent out sleeves that stopped short, leaving the forearm deliberately bare. And the idea isn’t reserved for knits or softer layers.
At the Chanel FW26 show, structured tailoring got the treatment, with blazer and shirt sleeves pushed up the arm, while By Malene Birger Spring 2027 showed the same proportion on a knit. Even warmer pieces are leaving a little room for skin. No bracelet, watch, or statement cuff required.
For styling inspiration, the ’90s and early 2000s are a good place to start. Kate Moss paired a simple black top with shorter sleeves and a white skirt, while Claire Danes wore a white turtleneck with a floor-length sequin skirt at a Hollywood premiere. Both feel...