Wedding dresses with sleeves regained popularity when HRH The Duchess of Cambridge wore a wedding dress with lace sleeves in 2011 and this trend is still going strong. Another trend that endures is the low back – and this is where sleeves work well because these help to keep your wedding dress on your shoulders and can add a demure touch to a sexy style.

Silk and lace wedding dress with long lace sleeve by Elizabeth Bessant Couture

Cecilia, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant Couture wedding dress with organza wrap sleeve

Sleeves are not restricted to one style of wedding dress style, fabric type, or time of year. Here are my top 7 tips for wedding dress sleeves:

1. Tulle, lace, chiffon, organza and crepe are all suitable for wedding dress sleeves – and remember the sleeve fabric does not have to be the same as the dress fabric but it must coordinate in some way.

2. Lace is beautifully light and some lace is stretchy which means you can have a slim fitting sleeve but still be free to move on the dance floor without worrying about splitting the sleeve seams. Often sleeves will be made of the same lace as the wedding dresses but without a backing fabric which shows off your arms.

3. Chiffon can be silk or manmade, but silk chiffon is lighter and softer. It breathes and is airy but more opaque than lace. On a hot day, silk will be more comfortable than manmade chiffon.

Jessica, bride wearing Elizabeth Bessant Couture wedding dress with illusion sleeves embellished with lotus flower and vines

Silk crepe wedding dress with cowl neck and long sleeves by Elizabeth Bessant Couture

4. Organza is sheer and light but stiffer than chiffon, it works well for a structured sleeve that holds its shape and does not drape.

5. Crepe can be silk or manmade and is the heaviest of drape fabrics. It is normally used on a simple classic style wedding dress and is very popular for winter.

6. Illusion sleeves are a very popular choice and are created using a fine nude or ivory tulle. They are cut to a slim fit and embellished with lace motifs and beads that appear to float over your arms. When I made Jessica’s wedding, she opted for illusion sleeves. I added cut lace motifs, handmade lotus flowers that I painted with a blush wash and hand cut and painted forest green vines that wrapped around her arms.

7. If you are self conscious and don’t want to draw attention to your arms avoid patterned fabrics or lace with a large motif.

If you are looking for a wedding dress with sleeves and would like to discuss the options please contact me at [email protected]