Trend report: Up in arms

by Metropol | August 19, 2026 8:34 am

As temperatures rise, so do our sleeves. The three-quarter sleeve and capri pant returns this spring, with global icons like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy known for the style. Sacha O’Connell-Johnstone investigates for Metropol.

With the promise of spring just around the corner, comes reason to swap the maximalism of winter for a little more skin. Three-quarter-length tops and pants are making a comeback, one that’s now reaching Aotearoa’s shores.

From the pages of Vogue and Cosmopolitan to the wardrobes of fashion personalities like Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski, and Dua Lipa, perhaps the biggest reason for the trend’s return is the recent television series, Love Story, which documents the romance and tragic deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The series has reignited interest in Carolyn’s effortlessly chic 90s style.

Megan Salmon coat, Zebrano. Riley lace top and Alto Capri pant, KOOKAÏ.

Combined with the internet’s insatiable fascination with 90s fashion, Carolyn’s timeless wardrobe fuels the trend that serves up minimalism, elegant and slightly sporty dressing. It reflects a global desire for clothes that feel effortless while still solving “a solution to the awkwardness of in-between dressing,” writes Vogue.

Here in Ōtautahi, the 90s influence arrives in stores. Juliette Hogan, Belleza Boutique, Zebrano, and KOOKAÏ are all embracing the three-quarter trend. From boxy t-shirt styles and floral blouses to capris, the aesthetic is flourishing in a variety of forms. Ranging from styles, colours and shapes, the versatility of the three-quarter silhouette proves that the 90s staple is officially back. It’s time to get your arms and ankles out.

Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/trend-report-up-in-arms/