Wedding Dress Sleeve Styles

• Balloon:  This style is wide, puffy and full over the upper arm and down to the elbow, and then slender from the elbow to wrist.
• Bell: Suitable for brides who'd like to disguise their arms, this style is narrow at the top and flares widely at the bottom, with sleeve lengths usually long.
• Cap:  A short, fitted, set-in sleeve that just covers the shoulders.  It’s best suited to brides with slender or well-toned upper arms.
• Dolman: Wide armholes extending out from the waist of the dress and tightening at the wrist, these sleeves are reminiscent of Morticia in the Addams Family.  With the right dress they can ooze sex appeal and drama.
• Elbow-length: This is a variation of the t-shirt sleeve, which is closely fitted to the shoulder and extends to the middle of the upper arm.  Instead, the elbow-length sleeve extends to the elbow.
• Fitted: Long and tapered sleeves often designed to a v-shaped point at the top of the hand (known as a fitted point sleeve).
• Juliet:  This Shakespearean sleeve is long and fitted with puff shoulders. 
• Long:  A long, slender sleeve that runs from shoulder to wrist.  This style is works well with sheer fabric.
• Three-quarter length:  These sleeves, which reach between the elbow and wrist, can make short arms seem longer and convey a fifties feel.  With these sleeves, you can still show off a beautiful bracelet or wrist watch.
• T-shirt: As the name implies, these sleeves are closely fitted to the shoulder and extend to the middle of the upper arm.  It’s a good style for brides who don’t want to display their arms.

For ideas and inspiration, Brides.com has an amazing image gallery of the latest bridal gown designs to inspire you. Go on, have a look and start dreaming!

Main image by Samm Blake Photography .