Did you know that your choice of wedding dress sleeves can directly affect your gown’s overall look? When picking your wedding dress sleeves you will need to take into consideration several different factors: the time of the wedding ceremony, the season and the most flattering styles for you.

Top Tips for Choosing Wedding Dress Sleeves

When it comes to choosing sleeves, you have a number of different options. In this article, we’re going to help you narrow down your choices to help you pick the right sleeves for your wedding dress with the following tips and guidelines:

#1 Take into consideration the season and the time of your wedding.

Although strapless numbers and sleeveless wedding dresses are considered in fashion regardless of season and time, long-sleeves are not advisable in summer or noon-time and afternoon weddings.

If you’re planning on a strapless or sleeveless number for your winter wedding, it would be best to have a wonderful white coat or shawl handy in case the weather turns bad. You wouldn’t want to catch a cold right before the honeymoon, would you?

#2 Get to know your options before making your choice.

There are three basic types of wedding dress sleeves that you can choose from: long sleeves or quarter-length sleeves, short sleeves, and sleeveless dresses. Pick the sleeves that flatter you best.

Three Basic Types of Sleeves:

• Long Sleeves or Quarter-Length Sleeves
  • Perfect for: drawing attention to the upper body. If you have fuller hips, then this can help distract the eye from possible imperfections. You can use these sleeves to help hide square shoulders and large arms. Make sure to pick a lovely design in the neckline to bring the focus to your upper body and your face. These sleeves can also offer you maximum protection against cold weather.
  • Avoid wearing if: you have a petite figure. Long sleeves or quarter-length sleeves will make your arms appear longer than they actually are. Also avoid wearing long sleeves if you have beautiful toned arms. If you have lovely arms, flaunt them!

• Short Sleeves
  • Perfect for: showing off beautifully toned arms. If you have small shoulders, wearing a short-sleeved wedding dress can help balance out your figure. This sleeve length is also perfect for tall women who wish to appear a little more petite
  • Avoid wearing if: you have big arms. Long sleeves with a looser fit would be more suitable. Also avoid short sleeves if you have overly broad shoulders. This sleeve-length will only emphasize the size of your shoulders.

• Sleeveless
  • Perfect for: girls with lovely shoulders, neck and arms. This sleeve-length is the perfect way to show off toned arms and to bare a little skin.
  • Avoid wearing if: you have large arms or angular shoulders. Sleeveless dresses can help emphasize your neck, shoulders and arms, so if you consider any of the three to be a problem area, you may want to choose another type of sleeve-length for you.

Wedding gown with long sleeves

A light colored bridal dress with short sleeves

The Perfect wedding gown for me

#3 Now that you know the basics, you can decide on the sleeve style of your dress.

The following have been grouped according to sleeve-length; pick the sleeve style that appeals to you the most.

For Long Sleeves of Quarter-Length Sleeves

A classic poet long sleeves wedding gown
• Balloon: This is pretty tricky since balloon sleeves can be short-sleeved, quarter-length sleeved or long-sleeved. Balloon sleeves have a “puff” in the upper arm of the sleeve. It’s incredibly romantic-looking and feminine. Be careful when choosing this type of sleeve since it can help make your upper body look larger than it actually is.
• Poet: Poet sleeves are basically sleeves that are fitted from the top of the shoulder down to the forearms. From the forearms, the sleeves begin to flare out. These sleeves resemble the style of sleeves that were popular during Shakespeare’s time. There are usually ruffles located at the end of the sleeves. These ruffles can be made of the same fabric as the sleeve, or can be made of lace or some contrasting fabric for a more striking statement.
• Illusion: Illusion sleeves keep your arms covered while retaining that sexy and elegant look. The sleeves are made of a transparent material with embellishments like lace or beaded overlays.
• Bell Sleeves: This type of sleeves is basically long and fitted to the wrist. From this point, the sleeves begin to flare out, creating a dramatic statement that exudes both grace and elegance. These sleeves are generally worn on simple and elegant gowns. Bell sleeves are perfect for evening and winter weddings.

A beautiful white bell sleeves wedding gown
Quarter-Length Sleeves: These sleeves usually extend from your shoulders to your forearms. The sleeves end somewhere between your elbows and your wrists. What’s perfect about these sleeves is that they do not restrict your movement in any way. Quarter-length sleeves are also perfect for formal weddings and can suit any body type.
Juliet: Lovely name and incredibly romantic long sleeves, Juliet sleeves basically puff around your upper arm, but are fitted all the way down to your wrist. They lend an element of drama and theatrics to your overall look. Juliet sleeves are perfect for evening and winter weddings.
Bishop: Are you looking for something a little bohemian? Bishop sleeves are extremely flexible. You can use them for formal weddings, winter weddings, outdoor weddings and casual ceremonies. The sleeves are long and full all throughout your forearms, and gathered into cuffs at the wrist.

For Short Sleeves

A white floral off-shouldered bridal gown
• Capped Sleeves: These types of sleeves are snug at the top of the shoulders. These sleeves are usually used to accentuate dainty and feminine dresses. Capped sleeves can be created from the same fabric as the bodice of the dress or can be made of lace or sheer silk for a more delicate appearance. If you have slender arms, then you can show them off with these barely there sleeves.
• Petal Sleeves: These sleeves usually have two fabric pieces that are overlapped on the upper arm, creating the appearance of petals on your shoulders. These are also perfect for slender arms and delicate dresses.
• T- Shirt Sleeves: As you can already gather from its name, t-shirt sleeves are basically like the sleeves of your ordinary t-shirt. This is a good way to keep your upper arms covered without having to resort to long sleeves.
• Off-Shoulder Sleeves: These sleeves are basically sleeves that leave your cleavage and shoulders bare but cover your upper arms. They are perfect for any bride regardless of size or shape.

For Sleeveless Gowns

• Spaghetti Straps: They’re skinny and they’re barely there. These straps are for women who are not afraid to show off their glorious arms. Spaghetti straps are a sexier alternative to the ordinary sleeveless gown. Look and feel sexy with these thin straps.
• Halter Sleeves: Show off your glorious back with a steaming halter number. The straps can vary in thickness but are usually tied at the back of the neck. Halter sleeves usually mean a backless number so be prepared to bring sexy back with this style.

#4 Keep comfort and mobility in mind when picking your sleeves.

Be sure to pick sleeves that are unobtrusive and comfy. Always remember: style and comfort go hand in hand.

Check out the latest collection of wedding gowns by watching the video below.