Fashion Terms — the Apparel Search fashion terminology directory
When discussing sleeves, the first thing to come to mind is short sleeve and long sleeve — but that just scratches the surface. Tops such as blouses, tees and sweaters have a wide variety of sleeve style options: raglan, bell, cap and kimono among the popular types. The full sleeve categories run from angel, bell and cap through dolman, lace, off the shoulder and one shoulder to raglan, ringer, roll, scrunch, split, tie shoulder and three quarter sleeves, plus sleeveless, strapless, tank and spaghetti strap styles.
When discussing sleeves the first thing to come to mind is short sleeve & long sleeve. However, that just scratches the surface of the discussion.
Tops such as blouses, tees, and sweaters have a wide variety of sleeve style options. A few of the popular types of sleeve would include raglan, bell, cap, kimono, etc.
Angel Sleeve
Bell Sleeve
Cap Sleeve
Crisscross Strap
Crochet Strap
Dolman Sleeve
Lace Sleeve
Long Sleeve
Off The Shoulder
One Shoulder
Ringer
Roll Sleeve
Scrunch Sleeve
Short Sleeve
Shoulder Stripe
Sleeveless
Spaghetti Strap
Split Sleeve
Strapless
Tank
Three Quarter Sleeve (3/4 Sleeve)
Tie Shoulder
Do you know other shirt or sweater sleeve styles? Please let us know.
You should also research types of collars & types of necklines if you want to learn more about shirts, sweaters and other aspects of tops.
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Sleeve types divide first by how the sleeve joins the body of the garment. A set-in sleeve is a separate piece sewn into a round armhole, the standard construction of tailored shirts and jackets. A raglan sleeve runs in one piece from underarm to neckline on a diagonal seam, giving the shoulder a softer line and more room to move. A dolman sleeve is cut as part of the bodice itself, wide at the underarm and narrowing toward the wrist. Those three constructions generate most of the named styles: cap, bell, angel and lace sleeves are variations of shape and fabric applied to them.
Length is the second axis — sleeveless, short, three quarter and long — and finish is the third: cuffs, ruffles, slits, ties and straps turn the same basic sleeve into different garments. Reading a sleeve name in a product description therefore tells an experienced buyer three things at once: how the top is constructed, how it will fit through the shoulder, and how formal it is meant to be.
Beyond short and long sleeves, the categories include angel, bell, cap, dolman, kimono, lace, off the shoulder, one shoulder, raglan, ringer, roll, scrunch, split, tie shoulder and three quarter (3/4) sleeves, plus sleeveless, strapless, tank and spaghetti strap styles.
A raglan sleeve is one of the most popular sleeve types, extending in one piece to the collar of the garment with a diagonal seam from underarm to neckline; it has its own terminology guide.
Sleeve construction changes a top's fit, movement and formality as much as its look: the same blouse body reads casual with a cap sleeve, formal with a long fitted sleeve, and dramatic with a bell sleeve.