50. Fashion in Focus: Mutton Sleeve

Welcome to the Unravel minisode series Fashion in Focus where we tell you about the brief history of a garment, accessory, or textile.  In this FIF, Joy focuses on the mutton sleeve.

A mutton sleeve was originally called a “leg o mutton”, or gigot in French, because of its resemblance to a lambs foot, calf, and thigh. This type of sleeve is balloon-like and loose on the upper arm but tapers on the forearm and/or wrist. The design has been adopted and revived throughout fashion history. 

Dana Goodin