THE FINE ART OF CHOOSING SLEEVES
From a designer’s point of view, sleeves can be one of the most creative components of a dress. For me, a well-designed sleeve is a work of art; it combines fabric and adornment into the overall image of the garment. I also think sleeves are the most satisfying part of a dress to work on – the actual stitching, the manipulation of fabric, and the trim can really pinpoint the character of the dress. There are probably more variations of sleeves than any other component, and once you’ve decided to go with sleeves, you'll realize your possibilities are never-ending.
Besides looking beautiful, the right sleeves can add bodice appeal while keeping your skirt of sloping shoulders in proportion. Although not the foremost option, keeping arms warm could be another alternative to wearing sleeves. Once upon a time, etiquette dictated the length of sleeves you could wear during the winter months or the time of day you got married. Fortunately, these restrictions were lifted long ago. Nowadays, you can go for long sleeves in summer and short caps in winter if that's your preference. Be realistic, though. Just make sure you have a decent wrap or stole in New York for your December wedding. As for long sleeves next July in Palm Springs, go for them. Detachables and glove-sleeve combos can transform your look and comfort accordingly.
When choosing sleeves, think of them as having their own unique silhouette within the overall outline of your gown. Because of the vast variations on sleeves, I've listed only the basic sleeve silhouettes from which many others are derived. You can read and see more about sleeve styles in The Sleeve Index: The Language of Sleeves for a reference to lengths, styles & fabrics.
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| Left: Fitted three-quarter length sleeve, made of cut velvet. Center:A classic, fitted short sleeve featuring a romantic scoop neckline with delicate button detailing. Right: A soft, romantic cap sleeve framing a lace bodice. |
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| Long fitted set-in lace sleeves with lace cutouts at the wrist. |
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| A medley of designer sleeves that truly bring these dresses to couture-level. Left: A multi-tiered poet sleeve that transitions into a tiered bell cuff. A gorgeous mix of soft structure and romantic movement. Center: A bell sleeve with illusion tulle broken up by delicate, historical lace borders for a tiered bell effect. Right: A classic, sweeping bishop sleeve finished with a softly ruffled cuff that feels utterly poetic. |
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