15 Classic Types of Sleeves That Look Versatile and Timeless

Bell sleeves are fitted at the shoulders and keep getting roomier as they approach the cuffs, making them look like a bell. They're great if you like roomy sleeves or want to conceal your arms. They go best with fit and flare type dresses for a boho-chic relaxed look or straight cuts too. 

Cap sleeves are a tease and go just an inch or shorter over your shoulders. This little sleeve comes in various designs including ruffles, elastic and gathered styles that create a unique look with each fabric and silhouette. 

Like bell sleeves, Kimono sleeves have a roomy effect. However, the arm hole is lower than typical tops, making your overall fit super roomy. Despite being called a Kimono, the fit is similar to a Chinese style robe. 

Flutter sleeves are super feminine, ideal for various occasions right from summer dresses to straight fitted work wear. Like bell sleeves, they have a flare, but are shorter and have more give. 

Another super feminine type of sleeve we absolutely love, puff sleeves are great for well-fitted clothes that need an extra layer of drama. Enter puff sleeves—like the name suggests, they're puffy at the shoulders and gathered at the wrists. Some silhouettes also end at the elbow or higher, making them ideal for saree blouses. Pick a sleeve that has enough work on it to make your puff sleeved tops stand out. 

Can we all agree that a cape sleeve looks super dramatic? We especially love them on Indian silhouettes like lehengas and other traditional Indian wear. Cape sleeves look like a royal cape on top of your already stunning outfit instantly giving it an Indo-Western vibe. 

Balloon sleeves, like puffed sleeves also have a puff at the shoulders, ending at the waist level with an elastic or buttoned cuff. They're a great option for a casual day of running errands when you can't be bothered with clothing that keeps fluttering or needs adjusting. 

Interesting name, right? Leg of Mutton Sleeves are gathered and puffed at the shoulders and upper arm while being fitted on your forearm. They get the name since the silhouette resembles the leg of a sheep. 

Ended at the upper arm, T shirt sleeves are neither too roomy nor fitted, giving you the ample amount of give. While they obviously look great on a T Shirt, they also look pretty fab on other kinds of tops and dresses. 

Three-fourth sleeves cover three-fourth of your arm, and hence the name. Now that we've got obvious details out of the way, these sleeve types are excellent for kurtas and tops that you wear to work. They're easy to maintain and won't get in the way of typing or doing other chores as you go through your day while still looking formal and crisp. 

Full sleeves come in a bunch of different styles too, including various silhouettes like bell sleeves among others. We prefer the straight cut ones, especially for slightly chilly weather, or when you're out to catch a flight. They're both functional, stylish and great if you'd like to skip wearing wrist accessories like watches or bracelets. 

Bishop sleeves are fairly similar to balloon sleeves, with a puff at the shoulders and an elastic gathering at the wrist. An added element in these sleeves is the additional elastic gathering right at the upper arm. They date back as early as the sixth century, so needless to say, they're one of the timeless designs that won't really go out of fashion. 

Unlike other sleeve design types, off shoulder sleeves don't start at the shoulder, rather at the upper arm or higher. This design is great if you'd like to keep the focus of the outfit on your upper body. They're attached to the bodice via the lower part of the arm hole, and come in a bunch of different cuts including bell type, or ruffles.

As the name suggests, one shoulder sleeve has a sleeve on one arm while keeping the other one bare. The silhouette looks super stylish and goes well for tops, dresses and blouses too. Whether you're picking a form fitting silhouette or a roomy resort wear style dress, an off shoulder looks stunning on both.