Different Sleeve Lengths
Sleeve length changes with the style, and it should also work in tandem with the design. There are a set of standard sleeve lengths you need to know about. You can tweak them further according to the design you wanna wear.
Short sleeves – A little below the cap sleeves and a tad bit shorter than the elbow length. Another version to this is arm length sleeves that stop a few inches above your elbow. 3/4th Sleeves – 3/4th sleeves run down till just below your elbow. Full Sleeves – It is quite self-explanatory; they are full length and fully cover your arms.
All of these have variations and are the basis for the different types of sleeves we are going to discuss shortly.
18 Different Types of Sleeve Designs and Their Names
1. Raglan Sleeves
Raglan sleeves come in all lengths and are a popular choice for bodycon dresses, casual tops, and T-shirts. Unlike the regular sleeves, these are an extension of your shoulder with an inseam that runs from under your arm. Best Suited For – T-shirts, tops, and bodycon dresses.
2. Kimono Sleeves
Kimono sleeves are inspired by the Japanese Kimono traditional attire, which looks very similar to your bathrobes. They are wide, long, and loose. This style of sleeves is catching up and is an attractive choice for both western and Indian attires. Best Suited For – Blouses, tops, and dresses (both long and short).
3. Bishop Sleeves
Remember the old Bishop style dresses and shirts you would see in period dramas? That’s the origin of this style. It has taken many forms to fit the contemporary bill. Bishop sleeves are full length, fitted near the elbow, and then open up as they move down to the wrist. They form a cuff at the end with buttons. Best Suited For – Western tops and one piece dresses.
4. Off Shoulder Sleeves
Off shoulder sleeves are not alien to us and have been in vogue for a while now. They are open, bare, and start a little below the shoulder bone. They come in all lengths and sizes; it’s a personal choice. Best Suited For – Blouses (sarees lehengas), one piece dresses, tops, maxi dresses.
5. Butterfly Sleeves
They are a combination of cap sleeves and puffed sleeves. They are just small extensions to your shoulder and delicately sit on the garment. Unlike the puffed sleeves, they do not taper. Perfect for deep neck tops or dresses. Best Suited For – Tops, dresses, kurtis, and blouses.
6. Puffed Sleeves
Puffed up sleeves are short and gathered in a way to make them look like puffs. They go well with traditional sarees, short dresses, shirts, and flowing tops. Avoid them if you are not confident about your arms. Best Suited For – Traditional attires, short tops, tunics, and shirts.
7. Cap Sleeves
As we just discussed, cap sleeves are just caps over your shoulders. They are more like extensions of the collar bones. Best Suited – Any Western or Indian attire.
8. Angel Sleeves
Imagine the wings of a fairy and how they would look if attached to a dress? Yes, that’s how they look, and that’s the inspiration for this sleeve type too. They look different depending on the length of the sleeves, but you get the drill, don’t you? Best Suited – Attires with high necks – both Indian and Western.
9. Bracelet Sleeves
It’s a metaphor to represent sleeves that stop just a little above your wrist, and hence the name. Usually, most of your full sleeved tops have bracelet sleeves because full sleeves technically go below your wrist. Best Suited – Attires with high necks – both Indian and Western.
10. Cuff Sleeves
Cuff sleeves, rolled-up sleeves or shirt style – whatever you call it, they are sleeves that come with buttons and an inbuilt fold. What started as a rolled up style for shirts became a big deal and took over the clothing industry. Best Suited – Kurtis and any Western tops.
11. Bell Sleeves
Bell sleeves come in all lengths, and flare exactly like your bell-bottom pants. They are straight and tapered till the end of the sleeve, and then billow out. Best Suited – Any Indian or Western attire.
12. Half Sleeves
This one is pretty self-explanatory – they cover a part of your arm, till above your elbow. Some call them quarter sleeves or cap sleeves too. When we talk about half sleeves, it has more to do with the length than the design per se. Hence, there is so much you can do with it, and the variations are a personal choice. Best Suited – Any Indian or Western attire.
13. Long Sleeves
Long sleeves are long and cover your entire hand up until your wrist. They are tapered, snug, and charming. They have a sleeve pattern that makes your arms look elongated by hiding the flab. Look great with bridal wear, sarees, and kurtis – in fact, just about anything. Best Suited – Blouses, bridal dresses, one piece dresses, shirts or Western tops.
14. Cape Sleeves
Cape sleeves are an overlay and usually a sheer extension to the bodice of your dress. They look like an extension to your sleeves. Some of them are inbuilt while some of them are an attachment. Best Suited – Bridal dresses, lehenga blouses, and long gowns.
15. Petal Sleeves
A slight variation to your cap sleeves. They are a staple in children’s clothing. They have a flimsy strap just as thin as the petals that extend out of the shoulder straps. Best Suited – Any Indian or Western attire.
16. Open Sleeves
Open sleeves or cold shoulders have caught up like wildfire over the last few seasons. People who are not comfortable wearing sleeveless dresses can try this sleeve pattern since it is not completely open, yet stylish. Best Suited For – Blouses, crop tops, lehengas, and any western attires.
17. Slit Sleeves
Slit sleeves are usually long or are 3/4th of the length of the arms. They come with a slit in the front, more like open sleeves, and cuff down at the end of the sleeve. A style that goes with almost any kind of outfit. Best Suited For – Blouses, flowing tops, and one piece dresses.
18. Batwing Sleeves
Have you ever seen a bat and its wings? Yes, this style is a replica of bat wings. The sleeves are loose and come with a deeper armhole. They can sometimes be open like that of a kaftan style or closed to look like an extension of the inseam. Either way, this style is fun and adds to the aesthetics of the outfit. Best Suited For – Western tops, tunics, and short dresses. What are lantern sleeves? Check out the infographic below to know the top five sleeve patterns curated just for you to slay at your next big party! A lantern sleeve is a type of long sleeve that balloons out from the elbow to the wrist and then gathers and closes around the wrist. What is a Juliet sleeve? A Juliet sleeve is a long tight sleeve that puffs out at the top. What is a Gigot sleeve? A Gigot sleeve, also known as a leg-of-mutton sleeve, is a type of long sleeve that balloons out at the top and tapers around the wrist. What is a Tulip sleeve? A tulip sleeve is a short sleeve with one seam that resembles tulip petals. What are Dagged sleeves? A dagged sleeve is created by slashing or cutting the sleeve fabric into simple, decorative, or elaborative shapes. What is a drop sleeve? A drop sleeve is a long sleeve that drops onto the arms and ends.
