ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY · SLEEVES
Types of sleeves.
Sleeves change the whole outline of a top or dress. These are the eight shapes you'll see named most often.
Updated · By the Delve to Life editors · Editorial standards
THE QUICK ANSWER
Look at two places: where the sleeve joins the body (a normal shoulder seam, a diagonal raglan seam or no seam at all) and where the volume sits (shoulder, forearm or wrist).
Puff sleeve
A sleeve gathered at the shoulder into a rounded puff.
How to spot it. Volume right at the top of the arm, usually short and gathered into a band.
How to wear it. Romantic; balances wide hips or full skirts. Keep jewellery small.
Bishop sleeve
A long sleeve that gets fuller towards the wrist and gathers into a cuff.
How to spot it. Slim at the shoulder, billowing below the elbow, then caught in at a cuff.
How to wear it. Pretty on blouses and dresses; easy to push up.
Bell sleeve
A sleeve that flares out from the elbow with no cuff.
How to spot it. Fitted upper arm, then a widening like a bell, open at the end.
How to wear it. Boho and dramatic. Not ideal under a coat.
Cap sleeve
A tiny sleeve that just covers the shoulder.
How to spot it. Barely there; it stops before the underarm on most cuts.
How to wear it. A little coverage without heat, common on summer tops and dresses.
Raglan sleeve
A sleeve whose seam runs diagonally from underarm to collar.
How to spot it. No seam on top of the shoulder; look for two diagonal seams. Common on sweatshirts and baseball tees.
How to wear it. Sporty and comfortable, kind to broad or sloping shoulders.
Batwing sleeve
A very wide sleeve cut in one piece with the body.
How to spot it. Deep armholes that reach towards the waist, narrowing at the wrist. Also called dolman.
How to wear it. Relaxed and drapey; tuck the hem or wear with slim trousers.
Flutter sleeve
A short, loose, ruffled sleeve that moves as you do.
How to spot it. Soft waves of fabric at the shoulder, unstructured and open.
How to wear it. Light and feminine for summer dresses and blouses.
Lantern sleeve
A sleeve that balloons out at the forearm between two fitted parts.
How to spot it. Fitted upper arm, a round bulge below the elbow, then a fitted cuff.
How to wear it. A statement on plain blouses and knits; keep the rest simple.
Easily confused
| Pair | The difference |
|---|---|
| Bishop vs lantern | Both have volume low on the arm. A bishop sleeve gathers into a cuff at the wrist; a lantern sleeve balloons at the forearm with a fitted section below. |
| Bell vs bishop | A bell sleeve is open at the end; a bishop sleeve is caught in by a cuff. |
| Raglan vs batwing | A raglan sleeve is a separate piece joined with diagonal seams; a batwing is cut in one with the body, with a very deep armhole. |
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Describe it with picturesThe illustrations on this page are AI-generated so each style can be shown in the same colour, angle and light. They are not products.