Puff Ball Skirts & Dresses: The Timeless Power of the Bubble Hem.
Puff Ball Skirts & Dresses: The Timeless Power of the Bubble Hem.
( And why Paloma does it best)
Fashion has always loved volume, not the kind that overwhelms, but the kind that creates shape, movement and confidence. Few silhouettes demonstrate this better than the puff ball skirt and dress, also known as the bubble hem.
Often misunderstood, sometimes unfairly dismissed, the bubble hem is not a trend designed to wear you. At its best, it is a masterclass in engineering, proportion and ease, and when done properly, it is one of the most flattering shapes a woman can wear.
A Brief History of the Puff Ball ( Bubble Hem).
The puff ball silhouette first appeared in the 1950s, pioneered by designers such as Cristobal Balenciaga, who understood that true elegance often comes from structure hidden beneath softness. By folding fabric back on itself and anchoring volume at the hem, designers created skirts that floated rather than flared.
The shape re-emerged in the 1980s, when fashion embraced drama and sculptural form. These versions were bold and sculptural but often rigid and extreme.
Today's bubble hem is different. Modern interpretations are lighter, more fluid and infinitely more wearable. The focus has shifted from statement for statement's sake to comfort, movement and real-life elegance.
At Laundry b, we refer to the puff ball as the bubble hem, a softer, more accurate description of what it should feel like to wear.
Why the Bubble Hem is so Flattering.
One of the biggest misconceptions about puff ball skirts and dresses is that volume automatically adds bulk. In reality, the opposite is often true when the volume is placed correctly.
A well-designed bubble hem
- Keeps the waist and hips visually clean
- Pushes volume lower down the body
- Creates a narrowing effect through the tummy and upper hip
- Balances proportions beautifully
In other words, it's all about where the fullness lives.
Introducing Paloma: A Modern Bubble Hem, the Laundry B Way
The Paloma collection, available as both a bubble hem skirt and a bubble hem dress, is our most refined expression of this silhouette.
Every detail has been considered so that you wear Paloma; Paloma never wears you.
Fabric That Works With You, Not Against You
Paloma is crafted from 100% Italian cotton, chosen for its ability to hold a gentle structure while still draping beautifully. It is slightly softer than poplin, which allows movement and softness without collapsing.
The secret lies beneath.
An attached butter-soft, fine, stretch jersey lining quietly and intelligently provides the bubble hem's shape. There's no stiffness, no overstatement, just light, controlled volume that moves as you do.
The Shape: Slimming, Balanced, Effortless
Paloma sits at an always flattering midaxi length, a Laundry b signature for good reason. It elongates the body while remaining practical and modern.
The waistband is one of our customers favourites:
- Deep ribbed cotton
- Fully elasticated
- Smooth, soft and forgiving against the tummy
This waistband, combined with volume placed lower down the skirt or dress, creates a silhouette that:
- Flatters fuller tummies
- Visually narrow the waist
- Feels comfortable all day
It's a quietly clever design, the kind that makes women feel instantly at ease.
Styling Paloma: No Rules, Just Possibility
Paloma is deliberately universal. There are very few restrictions on how it can be styled, which is why it integrates so sensitively into existing Laundry b wardorbes.
Right now, we love it paired with:
But Paloma is equally at home:
- At a summer picnic
- On a city break
- At a dinner party
- Even at a black-tie event, styled with confidence
It's also a dream for travel. The Italian cotton is lightweight and forgiving, simply twist it in to a ball in your case. The fabric looks wonderful worn slightly crinkled, adding to it's relaxed sophistication.
Addressing the Hesitations (Let's Be Honest)
"Will a bubble hem make me look bigger?"
No, not when it's designed like this. Paloma's volume sits lower down, slimming the tummy, waist and hips.
"Is it too young for me?"
The bubble hem has never been about age. It's about balance, confidence and quality, all of which Paloma delivers.
"Is it too much?"
Paloma is intentionally restrained. Light volume, intelligent structure and softness throughout. It's expressive, not excessive.
Colour, Continuity & Longevity
Paloma is offered in most of this season's key colours, designed to work effortlessly with your existing Laundry b pieces.
The hero colour is black, timeless, confident and endlessly versatile.
This is not a piece you buy for one season. It's one you return to, year after year.
Discover Paloma
If you have ever been curious about a puff ball skirt, a puff ball dress, or wondered whether a bubble hem could work for you, Paloma is the place to start.
Discover the Paloma collection here.