Elegant Occasion Dresses That Cover Your Arms
So many occasion dresses are sleeveless or strapless, and so many women would rather keep their arms covered. That's why almost every dress I design has a sleeve. Here's how to choose the most flattering one.
The golden rule
What is the most flattering sleeve length?
The 3/4 sleeve, ending just below the elbow, is flattering on almost everyone. It covers the upper arm, shows the slimmest part of the forearm and balances your proportions. An elbow-length sleeve works in the same way.
My Claridges velvet dress is a perfect example: a beautiful sleeve, a flattering neckline and a ballerina-length skirt. It comes in navy and wine velvet.
Choosing your sleeve
Which sleeve styles should I look for?
- Set-in sleeves that sit wide on the shoulder, which cover bra straps while keeping a pretty open neckline. My sequin swing dresses are cut this way.
- Ruffle cuffs, which add softness and draw the eye to the wrist, as on the Coco and Stevie dresses.
- Bell sleeves, which are dramatic and elegant, like on the velvet wrap robe gown.
- Shirt sleeves, which can be rolled or buttoned for a smart, relaxed look, like my Grace dress.
★★★★★
“After months of looking for mother of groom dress returning lots... I came across Katya's page and kept going back to the red Stevie dress. I ordered the red dress and was blown away by quality and how nice I felt in it. I'm 62.”
Michelle D.
Stevie in Red Tahitian Rose
Short sleeves
Are cap sleeves flattering?
Cap sleeves can work well, but they sometimes end at the widest part of the upper arm, which isn't always the most flattering. If you love a short sleeve, choose one that ends a little lower or flares slightly away from the arm.
Layering
Can I wear a sleeveless dress with a cover-up?
Yes, but cover-ups can feel like an afterthought and tend to come off when you get warm. A dress with sleeves built in is simpler and usually looks more polished. If you do want a layer, a beautiful coat designed to go over occasion dresses, like my Cliveden swing coat, is far more elegant than a pashmina.
Show a little shoulder
What about off-the-shoulder styles?
A style that sits on the edge of the shoulder with a 3/4 sleeve gives you the beauty of an open décolletage while covering the upper arm. My Confident Swing and Claridges dresses do exactly this, and you can still wear a normal bra.
Find your perfect sleeve
Book an appointment in my London showroom and try the different styles for yourself.
Book a visitShop dresses with sleevesLove, Katya x
Katya Wildman is a London fashion designer and former costume designer and stylist for television and the red carpet. For more than 20 years she has designed flattering occasion dresses for real women, made in London, and she welcomes customers to her showroom in Tottenham Hale to try on dresses in person.
