Glossary

Sleeves: the glossary

Dress sleeves defined one by one, with line drawings, when to wear each sleeve and what to pair it with.

sleeve

Sleeveless

A sleeveless dress has no sleeves: the armhole is finished at the shoulder, leaving the arms bare, with shoulder straps of any width.

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Spaghetti straps are very thin shoulder straps, about the width of a strand of spaghetti, that hold up a sleeveless bodice.

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A cap sleeve is a very short sleeve that covers only the top of the shoulder and does not extend under the arm.

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A short sleeve covers the shoulder and the top of the upper arm, ending somewhere between the shoulder and the elbow.

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A three-quarter sleeve ends between the elbow and the wrist, usually just below the elbow at mid-forearm.

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A long sleeve covers the whole arm and ends at the wrist.

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A bell sleeve is fitted at the shoulder and upper arm, then widens toward the wrist into a bell shape.

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A puff sleeve is gathered at the shoulder and at the band so it puffs out in a rounded shape, usually short.

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A bishop sleeve is a long sleeve that is fitted at the shoulder, widens toward the lower arm and gathers into a cuff at the wrist.

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An illusion sleeve is made of sheer mesh or tulle, often with lace or beading, so the arm shows through while it is covered.

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A flutter sleeve is a short, loose sleeve cut in a soft flare so it ripples over the upper arm.