When were cold shoulder tops popular

Casual

July 3, 2022

Cold Shoulder Tops have been a popular trend in the last few years because they add a subtle sexiness to a casual summer outfit. I’ve recently had a few emails asking if cold shoulder tops are still in style in 2022?

The answer is yes! While it is true that women’s cold shoulder tops have peaked, they have managed to hold their own and still look fabulous for spring and summer. Here are a few I found that stand out.

1. Floral Cold Shoulder Top

Cold shoulder tops tend to fall into one of two camps:  sleek and edgy, or soft and romantic, like this pretty one I’m showing above. The mix of painterly florals, soft pastel colors, and breezy chiffon fabric make this cold shoulder top ultra-feminine.

For a modern look, pair this sweet top with something a little more rugged, like these faded jeans with the raw edge step hem. Braided mules enhance the boho vibe. A slouchy bag with gold chain detail makes it Haute Hippie. Don’t forget some dangly earrings to play up the cold shoulder detail.

2. Ruffle Sleeve Cold Shoulder Top

Here’s a top that is sure to wow. This dainty green cold shoulder top with the lovely swiss dot texture is a tribute to spring! Bright colors like this are trending this season, but you can get too much of a good thing. The best way to style such a bright hue is by using neutrals as a backdrop.

Add your favorite jeans, and then accent with soft white. A simple mule, a beautiful white bag, and some pearlized white earrings balance the bright green and keep it look gorgeous, not flashy.

3. Keyhole Neckline Cold Shoulder Top

Say Hello to yellow this spring. Bright yellow clothing is having a moment, and one of the loveliest pieces I have seen is this pretty yellow print top. This sunny cold shoulder top has a high halter neckline and chic keyhole neckline. I love it with white jeans and a touch of blush ( bag and earrings) to keep the look soft and pretty.

You could go with blush sandals, but that would look pretty matchy. Blush would also shorten your legs a little compared to the off-white sandals, create a continuous visual flow, and make your legs look longer.

4. Long Sleeve Cold Shoulder Top

I’m always getting asked about long sleeves in summer, and here is the perfect top. This gorgeous cold shoulder blouse gives you the arm coverage you crave but keeps you cool with its ruffled shoulder cutouts. Pair it with flare jeans and taupe accessories for a casual but classy look. The v-neckline is a beautiful touch and is always flattering, especially if you are big-busted.

5. Eyelet Cold Shoulder Blouse

This pretty white eyelet cold shoulder top will have you floating through summer. Intricate eyelet embroidery and cinched sleeves make this fresh and feminine with a pair of your favorite jeans and some white sandals.

Disclaimer: By trade, I am not a fashion historian or anything like that. I do love history of fashion in the western hemisphere, and love to track where the current trends in fashion originated. Because there is very little in fashion that is so new that there is no precedent.

Well, let’s see about the newest trend in mainstream fashion – the “cold shoulder”; the high end fashion world set the trend and moved on after the trend filtered down.

I first came across the “cold shoulder” dress made popular by Donna Karan when she dressed celebrities and our former First Lady Hilary Clinton in a black jersey, full sleeved gown with cut outs at the shoulder. Pure drama!  This was 1993.

Let’s move back a little bit to the 1930s and lo and behold, a Chanel design, and then Marlene Deitrich sporting peek-a-boo shoulders in 1934!  The pictorial below is of the cold shoulder trend from its earliest application (that I could find) to today, including sewing pattern offerings. Of course, I also viewed the trend in the window of discount retailers.

The exposed shoulder in 1930s Chanel dress.

Image Source: Met Museum

Marlene Dietrich in the more tailored and close fitting peek-a-boo shoulder dress, 1934. I could not zero in on the designer. Maybe Adrian??

Image source: I photographed a photo from the book “Star Style” by Patty Fox, Angel City Press, 1995. This particular picture is credited to United Press Telephoto.

Forward to 1993 when then First Lady Hillary Clinton wore a Donna Karan dress to a state dinner. Image source: Lena Dunham’s Iiterview with Hillary Clinton . Do go to this link to read the interview and look at the 2015 “cold shoulder” influx into high fashion.

A Donna Karan dress.

Lena Dunham herself at a season 4 Girls premiere.

So there are two vibes going on with the cold shoulder look. one is structured with a “shoulder cut out” of a set in sleeve while the neck is covered. The second look has a bohemian aura and the dropped shoulder is supported by thin spaghetti straps. As in the Chanel (topmost photo) above and McCalls 7412 below left and Butterick 3650, right.

I really like the tailored version of this trend, and plan to make it. I’m planning to use Sewaholic Pattern’s Renfrew t-shirt pattern and alter some things to create my “cold shoulder”. I don’t do well with spaghetti straps and such.

Donna Karan believed that a woman’s shoulders always look good regardless of age, and other figure problems.

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When were cold shoulders invented?