Sleeves: Glossary of Terms

Sleeve length, volume, and construction — often the detail that tells two similar tops apart.

Cap sleeve

A very short sleeve that caps the top of the shoulder without extending to the underarm.

Puff sleeve

A sleeve gathered at the shoulder and/or cuff to create volume at the top of the arm.

Bishop sleeve

A long sleeve full through the arm and gathered at the wrist into a fitted cuff.

Bell sleeve

A long sleeve fitted at the shoulder that flares open at the wrist. No cuff.

Balloon sleeve

A sleeve gathered at both shoulder and wrist, ballooning between. More volume than a puff sleeve.

Dolman sleeve

A sleeve cut in one piece with the bodice, deep at the underarm and tapered toward the wrist.

Raglan sleeve

A sleeve joined to the bodice by a diagonal seam from underarm to neckline, creating no shoulder seam.

Kimono sleeve

A wide sleeve cut in one piece with the bodice, straight from shoulder to hem. No fitted cap.

Bracelet sleeve

A long sleeve cut to end above the wrist, at bracelet length, showing the wrist bone.

Batwing sleeve

A very deep sleeve, wide at the underarm and tapered to the wrist, creating a wing-like drape.

Updated 2026-07-30