https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 07:28:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426908 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 16:05:24 +0000 unfrumped 1426908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a pet peeve of mine!<br />I have to be careful because I'm at risk of buying a meh! dress with sleeves when I come across it because I don't have confidence that better ones are out there. If it looked like a trending thing, I would set up a better challenge for myself.&nbsp; Also need better handle on which dress makers "get me". </p> <p>I wonder, if there were more dresses with sleeves, would the bottom fall out of the cardigan market? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426877 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 14:33:37 +0000 Sveta 1426877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet is right! If designers work for catwalks only then it would be different. However real life posing problems which MUST be solved. I may look great in a sleeveless dress but I cannot wear it on its own in the cold weather - and even in summer if freezing A/C! If I have to layer under or over it ALWAYS then it defeats the very reason to have a dress. So basically they are designing for the world they want and not for the real world out there.<br />Yeah, get creative, get inventive, use all this amazing new technology and stretch and give us what we need!<br />Suz, I also have problems with fitting sleeves because I have broad shoulders so I do not need to be IT to suffer this :-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426867 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 13:41:52 +0000 Janet 1426867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad my words resonated with many of you! Maybe it's partially due to my history as a designer (although not a fashion designer) that makes me annoyed my this "sleeves are haaaaard" argument. Design is full of challenges if it actually is going to solve a problem and not just function as fine art. Don't try to sell me on a design solution that solves the designer's problem (sleeves are hard, so here's another garment you should buy to add over your sleeveless dress) rather than the customer's problem (wanting a fashionable dress that doesn't require additional layers). </p> <p>Besides, there are plenty of sleeved shirts and jackets out there in the world -- why is adding them to a dress so much more difficult? </p> <p>I don't even have slim, toned arms, and yeah, some things I try on do not fit in the arm although they fit otherwise, but it's not that hard to make a sleeve with a bit if room to accommodate women's arms. Taking in a sleeve with a little extra volume isn't even a terribly hard alteration. </p> <p>So yeah, I chalk it up to laziness and cost savings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426863 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 13:10:04 +0000 chadya 1426863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@style fan<br />I was just going to post the same<br />It is probably much easier to design and fit a sleeveless garment than a sleeved one.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426849 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 11:27:12 +0000 Style Fan 1426849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Janet.&nbsp; I have never had a problem getting sleeves to fit me.&nbsp; I think it is a cost saving strategy.&nbsp; Convince women it is chic to go sleeveless and the designer saves money.&nbsp; Jackets also fit me fine.&nbsp; </p> <p>Now pants are a different story.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426843 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 10:34:43 +0000 Staysfit 1426843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not a sleeve fan and would take sleeveless any day if weather permitted. I don't know if it's the shoulder fit, the length, feeling constricted, or what? I'm not a fan. So far I don't have flabby arms and I can get away with sleeveless styles but that could always change. It looks like I'm an outlier in this group. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426816 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 07:30:49 +0000 catgirl 1426816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm totally with Janet here. If it offends one's design sensibilities to create a garment that can actually be worn by a human being, that's not being all that creative in my mind. That's the challenge of design! I can think of all kinds of amazing ideas for clothing, but construction and function -are beyond me. That's the job of the designer, right? And yes, people are free to design what pleases them, and I'm free not to buy it. I need sleeves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426809 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 06:50:27 +0000 Jeanie 1426809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating article! &nbsp;I feel like the sleeveless dress is an an example of fashion that looks good on a few but isn't very practical for most. Sales may reflect well on sleeveless dresses that look good on hangers&nbsp;but everyone is going around covering them up! &nbsp;&nbsp;I am noticing this year that there are some styles that are popular that are sleeved which is thrilling. &nbsp;Maybe the designers are listening to Janet.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1426806 Sun, 18 Jan 2015 06:26:07 +0000 tulle 1426806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Janet on this, too:&nbsp; no matter what silly excuses the designers make, it's all about the cost of production--that, and a certain laziness.&nbsp; A well-set sleeve is an important design feature, and can turn a boring dress into something special.&nbsp; Today I went into the Gap looking for sweaters, and found the most marvelous dress:&nbsp; ultramarine-blue ponte knit, with princess-seamed bodice, box-pleated skirt--and close, elbow-length sleeves!&nbsp; I was thrilled, and bought it without hesitation; had it been sleeveless I wouldn't have given it a second glance.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425753 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:26:36 +0000 Anonymous 1425753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in the same camp as Suz. Sleeves always work for me. I don't wear short sleeves, though, as they emphasize my bust.</p> <p>I think designers need to get off their pedestals and make clothing that meets customers' demands.</p> <p>I'm so cold in the winter that I can't even think about wearing dresses. I did, however, buy that versatile tweed&nbsp;sheath dress from BR and a sweater to wear over it so I'll have something to wear when my DH and I are invited out to eat. Whenever we're invited out to eat, it's usually to a very nice restaurant or other venue where smart casual attire is appropriate.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425750 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:19:32 +0000 Thin White Duchess 1425750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was not able to find sleeved dresses appropriate for the office (business conservative) until about last year. There was NOTHING. And then they started appearing. Elie Tahari, Classiques Entier, MM Lafleur, The Fold in London (so expensive, but so amazing looking), COS. Various brands started turning them out. And I very quickly went from having just two dresses to almost ten. I love it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425654 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:34:51 +0000 Jenny H 1425654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting article. It maddens me when there is demand for something but limited supply. I agree with Janet that designers aren't doing their job if they aren't solving problems. And as someone with (non-fashion) design experience, I've often found that I am most creative/successful when there are design challenges. So designers, figure out how to meet the demand for sleeves! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425554 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:14:42 +0000 Caro in Oz 1425554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree 100% with Janet. Many designers in Australia&nbsp;just make the one pattern block for all sizes &amp; just size up so many inches for progressive sizes, it's a cheaper way of doing things. There is no grading change&nbsp;for&nbsp;depth of the back/bust &amp; arms - so sleeves become a huge fitting problem.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425541 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 03:44:01 +0000 Suz 1425541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet is likely onto something. Hmmm. Although, until trying to dress my decidedly IT daughter, I would never have realized that sleeves could be so darned difficult for anyone. This is what ITs&nbsp;must think when Pretty Pears (or even hourglasses) bemoan the difficulty of fitting pants. </p> <p>For me, sleeves pretty much always fit except sometimes in length. So it's not an issue. And while I strongly&nbsp;dislike fluttery sleeves and don't like puffs, most styles flatter or at least don't actively detract.&nbsp;</p> <p>What I want to know is whether they are talking about <b>Denise's</b> Trina Turk dress, you know - - the purple cruise dress?&nbsp;</p> <p><i>Ms. Turk’s ponte-knit “Monarch” dress style has slim, elbow-length sleeves that work because the knit fabric stretches.</i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425536 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 03:33:03 +0000 Janet 1425536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"To designers, sleeves can be frumpy. They also pose design challenges. Sleeve peeves may be rising in part because it is so tricky to make a flattering sleeve that is roomy enough to offer a full range of motion."</p> <p>OK, I have to take issue with this a little. Designers, design challenges are your JOB. If the market demands sleeves, get innovative. There have been some nice tops with dolman sleeves, etc., in recent years -- I think clever designers could come up with some cool sleeve ideas that allow range of motion, etc. </p> <p>I think the predominance of sleeveless dresses is partially from pressure to keep costs down and keep profit margins up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425490 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:26:45 +0000 Gaylene 1425490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great read, UmmLila! </p> <p>Maybe it's one thing to say I want a dress with sleeves, but my reaction once I see the garment on my body might be a totally different story. That can't make it easy for a retailer or a designer. </p> <p>I'm feeling thankful I prefer a shift to a fitted sheath because I've never found it that difficult finding sleeves on a shift-style dress. And popping a cardigan over, or layering a top under, is normally quite easy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425488 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:15:15 +0000 Angie 1425488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That makes sense, Elisabeth. I'm sure you look fabulous in sleeveless frocks. I used to wear them a lot when the weather is hot (I don't like layering over dresses). My arms look fine and I looked fine. But I feel more modern and fashionable in a sleeved dress. How contrarian is that? People are going to think I'm from Mars.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425487 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:14:54 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1425487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always thought that all the yen for three quarter sleeves in recent years was because they fit a wider variety of women - not too long or too short like long sleeves that are supposed to hit at the wrist. Same with sleeveless. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425478 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:05:01 +0000 Aziraphale 1425478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe I'm blinded by the fact that sleeveless dresses look particularly flattering on <i>my</i> body. There's no sleeve ending at my bust and thus emphasizing it&nbsp;(and you know how I prefer smaller bustlines!), and no sleeve ending at my elbow and emphasizing my lack of waist. Plus, my arms are really thin, especially around the elbows, and showcasing the whole arm somehow makes them seem nicer.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425477 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:04:28 +0000 Anonymous 1425477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting article indeed. It's always nice to hear from the high-end boutique store owners'&nbsp;point of view . &nbsp;I'm another one who "solves the problem" by not wearing tailored dresses. &nbsp;Even at my fittest and thinnest, a muscular and toned arm and shoulder area doesn't fit into many tailored dresses. &nbsp;Sleeves especially. &nbsp;Have you ever noticed that all the &nbsp;US&nbsp;network morning show anchorwomen all wear sleeveless dresses? At first I wondered if it was to show off a tanned and toned arm, and rightly so, but I wonder if the same toned and muscular arm just doesn't fit any other kind of dress!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425474 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:58:44 +0000 Angie 1425474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting analagy, Elisabeth. Maybe you're right seeing as&nbsp;items can be frumpy right up until they are fashionable.&nbsp;</p> <p>Personally, I think that there are some GREAT sleeved dress options out there - no frump at all. I've linked to them over the years, and their popularity is growing. I've found some fab sleeved dresses over the last two years for myself.&nbsp;To my eye, sleeveless dresses *can* look a&nbsp;touch staid - not all of course&nbsp;- but it's worth thinking about twice.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425467 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:49:41 +0000 MsMaven 1425467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>During my life I've seen lots of "dowdy" styles become impossibly chic after a time. Many bohemian looks were the height of dowdiness in one era, and oh so fashionable and chic in another.&nbsp;I don't think sleeved dresses are inherently dowdy, but I imprinted on the late 50s and 60s. Jackie Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn in a long-sleeved sleek and stylish dress, copied and drooled over by my friends as well as myself.</p> <p>Perhaps the "dowd" comes from the desire for modesty on the part of many, or the desire of older women to cover up arms that are not so lovely as before. Then there are those of us who have, or had, long skinny arms we didn't want to bare.</p> <p>A sleeveless wool dress used to be called a jumper and we wore it over a long-sleeved high-necked top. Dating myself I know, but this is my history and I own it. Dresses that fit me are so hard to find these days, so it really isn't an issue for me, but I do applaud every time I see an attractive dress with sleeves. I'm so happy they look fresh to Angie.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425466 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:48:06 +0000 Aziraphale 1425466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie -- maybe the sleeved dresses <i>are</i> starting to look fashionable, for the same reasons that 'old lady' names come back into fashion once all of the old ladies who had those names are dead. You know, names like Ruby and Clementine? They sound fresh now, because their previous wave of popularity was around 1900 or 1910. Names like Beverly or Shirley still sound dowdy because there are still plenty of living women (and not young women!) who have those names.&nbsp;</p> <p>Anyway, if sleeveless dresses really do start to look fresh, I'm on board. I haven't really seen it yet though.&nbsp;</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425462 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:41:59 +0000 abc 1425462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read. </p> <p>I've had good luck finding sleeved dresses at White House Black Market. In case anyone needs another possible store to check while on the elusive hunt for sleeved dresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425461 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:39:01 +0000 Angie 1425461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating. I'm actually finding that sleeved dresses look a LOT more fresh and&nbsp;fashionable these days.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425458 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:36:36 +0000 Aziraphale 1425458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating read. Thank you for posting it.</p> <p>I can actually understand the problem here. On the one hand, it makes little sense to have a sleeveless dress that's made of winter fabric and intended to be worn in the winter. That means you have to put a cardi or jacket&nbsp;over it, which to my eye often ruins the look of the dress.</p> <p>There's also the issue of many women wanting to cover the tops of their arms for reasons of modesty. Sleeves <i>seem</i> like such a good idea.</p> <p>But on the other hand, I agree with the statement that a sleeve can quite often make a dress look dowdy. Absolutely. The details have to be just right for the sleeve to work, style-wise. I don't always like the look of elbow sleeves or long sleeves, usually because they make the dress look a tad matronly.&nbsp;And to heap on more problems, women vary A LOT across the shoulders, so that making a tailored dress with sleeves that fits all (or even most) women is probably impossible.</p> <p>To be honest, I deal with this problem by not wearing tailored dresses. I have three wrap dresses with short sleeves, but these are made of a stretchy jersey-type fabric, so the sleeves fit fine, with no constriction. They look modest yet flattering, but if I had a very large bust, I suspect they would make it look bigger. </p> <p>And the handful of cocktail dresses I have are -- yep -- sleeveless. Because they are just so much more flattering on me.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-lookbecause-sleeves-can-fit-poorly-constrict-and-look-dowdy-labels-offer-many-sleeveless-opt#post-1425435 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:02:53 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1425435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel like I've heard Angie say this before, but it's still an interesting article. <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/women-like-sleeves-but-designers-like-the-sleeveless-look-1421278285?autologin=y" rel="nofollow">http://www.wsj.com/articles/wo.....utologin=y</a></p> <p>It is January and frigid, so of course stores are full of sleeveless dresses.</p> <p>Gorgeous wool flannels, brisk tweeds, soft knit cashmeres—just the sort of warming fabrics one wants in wintry months, except they leave the arms bare. It is one of the great curiosities of fashion: Women want more sleeves, and designers love to make dresses without them.</p> <p>This tension results in an awkward routine each season. Store buyers prowl showrooms in search of dresses with sleeves. Designers never seem to make enough. “There’s a lot of screaming and yelling to get more sleeves in the market,” concedes designer Nanette Lepore.</p> <p>“Our customers are always asking for dresses with sleeves,” says Colleen Sherin, senior fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue. “So when we see good dresses with sleeves, we go after them.”</p> <p>Yuta Powell, owner of the Yuta Powell boutique on East 75th Street in Manhattan, takes things into her own hands. Two finely tailored gray wool flannel jumpsuits hang in her store now this week. One is a fall 2014 runway look from Paris-based designer Pascal Millet. It is sleeveless. [Why do they pretend jumpsuits are dresses?]<br /> The other jumpsuit is one Ms. Powell asked Mr. Millet to doctor. Its graceful sleeves veer out at the elbow and fold back—a flattering, nonchalant-looking<br /> design she learned years ago while working for Hubert de Givenchy.Ms. Powell isn’t shy about asking designers to add sleeves when she places orders. She even offers them sketches to work from. “I’m the one that has to sell it to the customer,” she says. “If I had to rely on what they think the client wants, I’d have to eat it.”</p> <p>To designers, sleeves can be frumpy. They also pose design challenges. Sleeve peeves may be rising in part because it is so tricky to make a flattering sleeve that is roomy enough to offer a full range of motion. With more casual styles and the introduction of stretch fabrics from denim to silk, women have grown accustomed to comfort, and they are more likely to revolt against constrictive clothing.</p> <p>“In the past, the tolerance for uncomfortable clothing was a lot higher than it is now,” says designer Trina Turk.</p> <p>Sleeves require enough volume to offer free movement of the arm and shoulder. Pioneer women wore roomy sleeves—the better for sweeping the house and milking cows.<br /> That works for looks like Ms. Turk’s trademark bohemian peasant blouses and dresses. “In dresses, often our best-sellers do have sleeves,” she says.</p> <p>But office clothing, with its tailored and more-fitted look, poses a design challenge. Structured construction makes it difficult to add a sleeve that allows complete freedom of movement, unless the fabric is stretchy. Ms. Turk’s ponte-knit “Monarch” dress style has slim, elbow-length sleeves that work because the knit fabric stretches.</p> <p>Some designers add gussets—small fabric panel inserts—at the armpit to increase the range of motion. But that is expensive, and gussets are rare outside of pricey designer clothes or athletic wear.</p> <p>Sleeve design is essential to the image a garment communicates. Fluttery sleeves at the office can look silly, says Emily Katz, an image-design strategist in Washington, D.C. Puffy sleeves? “Never!” she says. “A puffy sleeve is the most disempowering look you can buy.”</p> <p>Ms. Katz reminds her clients that the eye is drawn to the part of the body where a sleeve ends. Short sleeves call attention to a large bust. Elbow-length sleeves emphasize the waist, or lack thereof. “Wherever you have a defining line, it draws your eyes—bam!—right to it,” she says. Three-quartFor wearing a sleeveless dress, there is, of course, the old toss-on-a-cardigan trick. But that has its risks. When Michelle Obama wore a black cardigan over a sleeveless black-and-red Narciso Rodriguez dress on election night in 2008, a fashion firestorm ensued. The cardigan hid the dress’s artful curves, and critics said the soon-to-be first lady looked clumsily dressed.</p> <p>Another solution is to layer a thin T-shirt, turtleneck or blouse under the dress—taking care to avoid adding bulk and to choose a neckline that looks graceful with the dress. For a professional look, a coordinating blazer can add polish.</p> <p>Lizzie Tisch, who was inducted into Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed List in 2012, says she doesn’t like to detract from the look of a great dress by covering it with a cardigan or jacket.er-length sleeves, hitting between elbow and wrist, are most flattering to most women, she says.</p> <p>At Suite 1521, the retail boutique she founded with partner Kim Kassel, designers make some custom adjustments for clients. Arms and sleeves are customers’ biggest concern. “It comes up constantly,” says Ms. Tisch, adding she often hears from clients, “Oh, Lizzie, you know I want to keep my arms covered.”</p> <p>Many women attending religious ceremonies need sleeves. So do some older women whose arms have become flabby. Bracelet- and three-quarter-length sleeves are popular solutions, but even a simple cap sleeve offers coverage for the meaty zone where the arms meet the back.</p> <p>Ms. Kassel says some designers are more cooperative than others about adding custom sleeves. “Giles does it,” she says of British designer Giles Deacon. L.A.’s Juan Carlos Obando, she says, is “great about it.” Mary Katrantzou “has a style of dress that often can come long-sleeve, short-sleeve, or sleeveless,” she says.</p> <p>Ms. Lepore, known for her curvy, flirty, colorful boho designs, says with each collection she aims to have a balance of sleeved and sleeveless dresses. Sleeves, she says, can make a dress look dowdy.</p> <p>In Ms. Lepore’s recent resort collection, one tribal-look dress went through several iterations. It started with an elbow-length sleeve. The design team stared at the sample in the mirror trying to figure out why it wasn’t working. They tried a cap sleeve. Still wrong.</p> <p>The dress wound up sleeveless.</p> <p>ON STYLE </p>