Wedding Dress Sleeve Options
The term “sleeve” refers to anything that encircles the arm and attaches below the shoulder. So, like the word ‘lace’ in lace wedding dresses, ‘sleeves’ can mean anything from the long, satin sleeves worn in the 1930s and 40s to fixed cap sleeves. Some of the most popular wedding dress sleeve styles are:
Wedding Gowns with Sleeves
We’ve gathered a few our Lea-Ann Belter and Astrid & Mercedes wedding dresses with sleeves (both detachable and not) below. As you can see, there’s a diversity of style!
Why Detachable Wedding Dress Sleeves?
Wearing and then removing bridal gown sleeves completely changes the look. And if ever there was a moment for a dramatic reveal, it’s on your wedding day. The other reason is fit, particularly for long or off-the-shoulder sleeves.
Wedding gowns and their sleeves are not generally made of fabrics not notorious for their stretch, such as satin, lace, organza, jacquard, and taffeta. You are going to be doing a lot of hugging and dancing. You will be hugging, dancing, twirling, possibly waving your hands in the air. You do not want sleeves that interfere too much with your movement.
Detachable sleeves take ‘what if I can’t lift my arms?’ out of the equation. They deliver the look you want for however long you feel comfortable. Some women plan to take them off for their reception; others want to know they can get on the dance floor and leave their sleeves behind.
Detachable Wedding Dress Sleeve Alternates
Bridal jackets: These accessories are a terrific way to conjure removable sleeves and mix up your look. You could choose a classic long-sleeve, high-neck lace bolero, a sexy sheer topper cut to frame your décolletage, or a retro-inspired net jacket with satin cuffs and a high collar (such as the one we’ve paired with Lea-Ann Belter Birdie).
Bridal gauntlets: A type of fingerless wedding glove that hug the upper arm and extend to the elbow or wrist. Now most often spotted in classic lace, embroidered or beaded lace, sheer net, and tulle, more opaque versions made of satin or silk were trendy in the 80s. A good example of lace gauntlets are those paired with our Astrid & Mercedes Jolie gown!
Real Brides Wearing Wedding Dresses with Sleeves
There’s nothing like seeing real brides wore sleeves to inspire! Below are a few of our Lea-Ann Belter and Astrid & Mercedes brides serving sleeve moments.
Take Our Bridal Gowns with Sleeves, Jackets, or Gauntlets for a Twirl!
If you’re dying to try any of our sleeve options, visit our partner boutiques. You can book an appointment at our flagship Toronto bridal store, where we can custom-create your look.
More Bridal Gown Scoop
If you’d like more about wedding dress elements, we explore the history of Basque waist gowns , what a pointed sweetheart is and how it is different from a classic sweetheart neckline, as well as the corset roots of the cat’s eye neckline. We also discuss why wedding dresses with pockets are so excellent (and why every single dress does not have them), and what’s so great about detachable trains. Or, you can get to the bottom of what a trunk show is and get some insider wedding dress shopping tips.
