SLEEVES
Ever since Kate Middleton stepped out in her amazing Alexander McQueen gown in 2011, wedding dresses with sleeves have become more and more popular with our real brides. No matter their length, sleeves add a little more coverage for self-conscious brides, and can be very flattering and elegant.
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A sleeveless wedding dress has straps over the shoulders to hold it in place. Although the term is sometimes used synonymously with a strapless dress, the two are not the same; a sleeveless dress has some fabric at the neck or shoulder and is a more secure design, whereas a strapless dress ends above the bust and has no fabric at the shoulder. Halter and bateau necklines often feature sleeveless styles.
TRADITIONAL SLEEVES
LONG SLEEVES -
Any sleeve that reaches to or slightly beyond the wrist is called a long or full-length sleeve. Some formal long-sleeved designs include a point that covers the back of the hand. Fitted long sleeves often feature buttons to make the narrow sleeves easier to wear.
SHORT SLEEVES
SHORT SLEEVES -
Any sleeve that surrounds the arm completely and ends before the elbow is considered a short sleeve. Short-sleeved dresses may have puffed or flat sleeves. Although anything between a cap sleeve and an elbow-length sleeve is technically a short sleeve, most short-sleeved designs are meant to end about halfway between the shoulder and the elbow.
Choosing a Wedding Dress Sleeve Length
With so many sleeve possibilities, narrowing down the choices can seem like a daunting task. Understanding how each sleeve length and style flatters different body shapes can help the bride decide which design is right for her. Comfort and coverage also enter into the equation, especially for seasonal outdoor weddings that may necessitate longer sleeves for warmth.
COVERAGE COMFORT AND FIT PLATTERING STYLE
For sleeves that provide more coverage but feel less restrictive, puffed, dagged, and bell sleeves are good choices.
Many brides prefer to focus attention on other areas and feel more confident with sufficient upper arm coverage. Juliet sleeves are a flattering choice because they camouflage heaviness at the upper arm while emphasizing slimmer forearms and wrists. Elbow-length and three-quarter length sleeves, either by themselves or with a flounce to turn them into bell sleeves, are also a good way of providing fashion-conscious coverage.
Weddings last for hours, and the bride shouldn't spend those hours fighting her dress. No matter what sleeve length she chooses, she should be able to lift her arms to wave, dance, and throw the bouquet. She should be able to move without worrying about the dress slipping or the straps cutting into her skin at the shoulders. Sleeve length is easier to alter than sleeve width, and it's easier to take in a sleeve than to let one out. When shopping for a wedding dress, it's better to choose a gown with too-long or too-large sleeves than one that feels at all tight at the armhole or throughout the length of the sleeve.
As a rule, short sleeves draw attention to the bust; the horizontal line they draw visually widens the body at that point. They're a good choice for brides who want to lend visual weight to their upper body proportions. Full-skirted dress styles often look more balanced with short sleeves because of that widening effect.
The hems of elbow-length sleeves point directly at the waist, so they're an excellent choice for a bride with an hourglass shape whose slender middle is one of her best features. Gowns designed to focus on the waist such as corset dresses and basque styles look particularly beautiful with elbow-length sleeves. Another way to emphasize the waist is with a sleeveless or cap-sleeved gown and elbow-length gloves, as they create the same horizontal line at the waist.
A three-quarter sleeve falls roughly to the bride's hips, so a woman with a heavier upper body and a slender lower half will find this an especially flattering length. Long sleeves tend to blend with the rest of the dress and bring attention back to the bride's face. They're a good choice with a portrait neckline or other face-framing design.