1. The bell sleeve
Aka the trumpet sleeve. Resembles a foxglove flower, which rather fittingly blooms in summer and adds elegance to a garden. Or a wardrobe, in fact. Just don’t expect that you can wear anything on top of it – like most summer sleeves, they believe they, not a jacket sleeve, are the main event. They don’t take kindly to being squished.
2. The Bardot sleeve
We’ve mentioned we like these before. As a garment they are both selfless and on point. Selfless in that they kindly hide the top bit of your arm and show off a strong shoulder – which is the way most women like it. On point in that they are the sleeper hit of the summer, selling brilliantly everywhere, from Topshop to Dolce & Gabbana. A Bardot sleeve dress is this summer’s answer to any wedding/big birthday invite.
3. The balloon sleeve
Designed to suggest you have the delicately turned wrists of Henrietta Maria. And as a bonus – the balloon sleeve is actually very good at handling sweaty armpits.
4. The blood-pressure sleeve
Guaranteed fashion results in seconds with this styling trick. (The name is more about the positioning of the sleeve than that unbearable about-to-burst sensation that a black medical velcro cuff can give.) You’re wearing a shirt, it’s hot, so you roll your sleeves to the elbow. It looks kind of office-y and practical but it’s not bringing much style collateral. But roll those same sleeves up another 7cm or so and suddenly it looks like an intentional styling tactic. See the blogger Man Repeller for evidence.
5. The maximum-capacity sleeve
Embroidered, dramatic, colourful. These sleeves are not shy, and they take all of the pressure off a naked summer arm. The best ones are Vyshyvanka-inspired and come courtesy of Vita Kin if you have the wear-with-all of Anna dello Russo, or H&M if you are after a £20 suitcase-filler.
