Fashion Elements: Sleeves

Heading into Fall season, sleeves are... well everywhere! There is more than just your basic short and long sleeves out there. 

In this post I will go over some pretty amazing sleeves with equally amazing names. Now the question is, which sleeve will you slide your arm into this Fall?

Cap Sleeve

Just a smidge more fabric than a sleeveless garment. A cap sleeve literally caps your shoulder. 

Most cap sleeves are made by extending out the shoulder seam.

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Byblos Spring 2013 retrieved from NY Mag.

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Gigot Sleeve

This sleeve is one of my favourite sleeves to say out loud. Try is with me, 2 syllables- "jgie zhego"! Sounds like you are calling for a dog.  Another name for this sleeve is leg o'mutton, equally as fabulous to say out loud.

The easiest way to spot this sleeve is to picture a chicken leg. Extremely full at the top and fitted down to the wrist.

Used in the 1800's, the idea was that if your gigot fullness was extreme, it would make your waist appear smaller. 

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Vivienne Westwood 2013 retrieved from NY Mag.

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Bishop Sleeve

A long sleeve with fullness at the bottom created by gathers or pleats and narrow at the top. Fullness is controlled by a cuff at the wrist.

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Gucci Spring 2013 retrieved from NY Mag.

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Dolman Sleeve

This sleeve reminds me of bat-wings. Personally I dont think this is very flattering on most figures, as it takes away from a women's natural curves. But leave it to Valentino to make a dolman sleeve flattering by cinching in the waist- good job!

Important elements for a dolman sleeve include a fitted sleeve from wrist up to elbow region then excess amount of fabric dropped from armhole area.

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Valentino 2012 retrieved from NY Mag.

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Bell Sleeve

Visually just picture your arms are bells, with some bells being larger than others- this is a bell sleeve. There are variations of this sleeve where the bell can flare out at any part of an arm. Typically you will see a seam connecting the top of the sleeve to the bell part, this allows a designer to achieve the flare.

Bell sleeves can add drama to any outfit, but I dont recommend dining in bell sleeves. 

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Gareth Pugh 2013 retrieved from NY Mag.

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Puff Sleeve

Gathers at the sleeve cap and sleeve hem make up a perfect puff sleeve.

Extremely feminine and youthful sleeve. I think the last time I wore this sleeve, I was 12. 

If you have broad shoulders, this sleeve only makes you look wider. 

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Chanel Resort 2013 retrieved from NY Mag.

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At times, certain sleeves defy conventional labels and fall under their own unique category. Here are two of my favourite one of kind sleeves from Spring 2014 shows.

Balenciaga Spring 2014 RTW retrieved from NY Mag.

Comme des Garçons Spring 2014 RTW retrieved from NY Mag.

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Happy Sewing!
Written by Sheila Wong Studios