Balloon sleeves are long, puffy sleeves that are gathered at the shoulder, puffed out, and then gathered again at the wrist. The sleeve may blow out lower than the shoulder at times, but it is still a complete puff rather than a tapering flare. They were very popular in the 1940s and '50s. The name comes from the fact that they look like large inflated balloons when worn. They are made of silk, nylon, or cotton and usually have a single strap that goes around the neck. There are also versions with two straps on the back. They can be found in white, black, red, or blue. This fashion item became popular after World War II when silk was in short supply. However, some sources say the balloon sleeve was invented much earlier than that - as early as 1875. It is known that Charles Frederick Worth used this style of sleeve for several of his models during that time period. There are several different ways to wear a balloon sleeve. You can keep them tucked inside your jacket or dress shirt, or you can let them hang down freely. Balloon sleeves are easy to make yet expensive to buy. If you do not want to spend a lot of money, there are many free patterns online that will teach you how to sew your own version of this fashion item.