What's That Sleeve Called?

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Lantern Sleeve

Badgley Mischka Collection. Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images

The newest sleeve to hit the runway in recent collections is the lantern sleeve. The lantern sleeve is a full, gathered sleeve attached to a drop-shouldered garment; it can be either a long or short sleeve look. It's seen on everything from jackets to dresses.

Fit Tip: Great for camouflaging flabby upper arms. Best on narrow shoulders/slim upper body types (wide shoulders and full busts are just emphasized by this voluminous sleeve).

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Kimono Sleeve

Michael Kors collection. Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Loose, wide sleeves hit anywhere from short to wrist length are called kimono sleeves. This voluminous look borrows its style from traditional Japanese wardrobe where the wearer's age and marital status was indicated through sleeve length (young unmarried women wore the longest sleeves).

The best way to pull off this much volume is by wearing the top or dress belted, like this Michael Kors top.

Fit Tip: The kimono sleeve adds loads of volume on top, so it's best for smaller busted women. Kimono sleeves, when worn with a belted top are great for adding balance to a bottom-heavy figure.

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Flutter Sleeve

Tina Kalivas Collection. Stefan Gosatti

Add a touch of sweetness to a blouse with the addition of flutter sleeves. This sleeve detail is distinguished by a ruffled effect — either from sewing stiffer fabric into a ruffle or using a sheer, soft fabric that drapes into a fluid ruffle — at the shoulder, which adds both softness and romance.

Fit Tip: A flutter sleeve can work for most body types, but may look too precious for very petite women who try to avoid an overly girly look.

04
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Balloon Sleeve

New Generation #1 Collection. Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images

A very full sleeve — usually 3/4-length or longer — that has a banded bottom is called a balloon sleeve.

Fit Tip: Balloon sleeves are a perfect way to add softness to a small upper body and draw the eye away from a thick waist or any lower body problem areas.

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Bell Sleeve

Fernanda Cafalt. Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images

A full sleeve that is gathered at the shoulder and open at the cuff is called a bell sleeve.

Fit Tip: One of the easiest of the dramatic sleeves to wear, the bell sleeve — especially if done in a soft, flowing fabric — adds controlled fullness that is flattering to most body types.

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Batwing Sleeve

Elie Saab - Runway - PFW Haute Couture F/W 2011
Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/ WireImage/ Getty Images

Also called a dolman sleeve. This style is cut very large at the armhole and extends to almost the waist, tapering at the wrist. It's usually not a "set-in" sleeve, but part of the garment. This sleeve is commonly seen in sweaters.