What is a bolero?
Bolero - This is a short jacket or sweater, the length of which ends above the waistline, most often under the chest.
Historically, this garment originated from the traditional Spanish bullfighter costume (traje de luces) and was originally a short, open jacket with no fastenings. In modern women's fashion, the bolero retains its key design features: a cropped cut, open fronts, and sleeves of any length. Fastening is often absent, or consists of a single button or hook at the neck.
The main function of the bolero in an image is to cover the shoulders and arms without hiding the cut of the main outfit and without disturbing the proportions of the silhouette.
Main types
Modern designers have adapted the traditional silhouette to suit different styles, using a variety of materials and design solutions.
- Evening and wedding. Made from lace, satin, velvet, or faux fur, they complement off-the-shoulder dresses or corset bodices.
- Knitted (everyday). Soft, cropped cardigans made of cotton, viscose, or wool. They can have ties at the chest, be close-fitting, or have a loose fit.
- Jacket (structured). They are made from dense suiting fabrics and may have shoulder pads, lapels and a strict shoulder line, imitating a classic jacket cut off under the chest.
- Shrug (bolero sleeves). An extremely shortened version, consisting of a back and sleeves construction, which leaves virtually no coverage of the chest.
What to combine with
The cropped silhouette requires careful selection of complementary items to maintain harmonious proportions.
- With sleeveless dresses. A classic pairing with sheath dresses, lingerie-style slip dresses, or A-line silhouettes, a bolero covers the shoulders for dress code compliance without weighing down the look.
- With a high-waisted bottom. The cropped cut of the bolero pairs perfectly with wide-leg trousers, palazzo pants or high-waisted jeans, visually lengthening the legs.
- With tight tops. In Y2K and balletcore styles, knit boleros are worn over basic tanks, fitted tees, corsets, or sports bras for a layered look.
