Do you know how to choose among long sleeve wedding dresses to find the most flattering style for you? We’ve listed the eight best long sleeve wedding dresses for every kind of bride and wedding season.
You will know how to pick the bridal style and the best sleeves for wedding gowns if you’re having a fall, winter, or even summer wedding. But since brides often choose long sleeves for the cold season, we recommend reading what to wear over the wedding dress if cold, as sleeves might not be enough for some cold venues.
The Best Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses For All Kinds Of Bride And Wedding Season
Types Of Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses
Simple long sleeve wedding dress
Some styles of wedding gowns won’t need statement sleeves. You can achieve a sophisticated bridal look with classic and clean, simple sleeves.
They are not embellished and are often a simple sheath enveloping the bride’s arms. A flattering tip is to opt for long sleeves with contoured seams that best complement the dress’s neckline.
Beaded long sleeve wedding dress
If a plain and clean long sleeve style would be out of place with the rest of the wedding dress’ look, you can always opt for something with beaded sleeves. These long-sleeved wedding dresses are usually illusion-style, with the bride’s skin still showing underneath.
Some beaded styles might also be fully lined to match the rest of the beaded bridal gown. Brides can consider the jewelry they’ll wear to pick what pearls, gems, crystals, or glass details to have on their long sleeves.
Lace long sleeve wedding dress
Lace sleeve gowns are a classic and favorite style of long sleeve wedding dresses. This look suits any silhouette, from the A-line dress to a princess ball gown.
Lace also complements most wedding dress fabrics like chiffon or tulle. The long sleeves can be accented by embroidered lace for a layered look that matches the Chantilly lace on the skirt or body of the wedding gown.
Illusion long sleeve wedding dress
You can pick something with illusion long sleeves for a sultry and chic bridal look. These long sleeves create an illusion of bare arms from the name itself because of the sheer material.
The long sleeves are also breathable and lightweight, so these long sleeve wedding dresses are perfect for a summer or hot spring wedding. The designer can help you pick the best sleeves that match your skin tone perfectly.
Puff long sleeve wedding dress
For the brides that want to stand out, the perfect long sleeve wedding dress would feature puff long sleeves. This style is out-of-the-box and a guaranteed statement for your big day.
The sleeves are tight around the arm and then puff out at the top, similar to the fashion trends during the Renaissance. The romantic look will surely wow your guests, especially if you pair the long puff sleeves with an interesting silhouette like a sparkly tulle mermaid wedding dress.
Bishop long sleeve wedding dress
A style that complements the illusion style or sheer fabrics for the dress sleeves is the bishop sleeves. Long bishop sleeves for the wedding gown are perfect for a dreamy bridal look because of the shape.
Bishop long sleeves are cinched at the wrist for the “puff,” but it also features a soft and lovely drape. You can also pick this style if you want detachable sleeves for your wedding gown.
Bell long sleeve wedding dress
What style of long sleeves to pick for a boho wedding dress? The perfect long sleeves for the free-spirited bride is the bell sleeves because of their unique bell shapes.
They’re fitted at the upper arm and flare out at the elbow, familiar with the fashion during the disco era. You can pick a boho wedding dress with a fitted silhouette and botanical lace details with this style of long sleeves.
Fluted long sleeve wedding dress
Another fit and flare long sleeves that would suit fashionable and non-traditional brides is the fluted or trumpet sleeves. They usually have more flare than bell sleeves because of the ruffles and textures.
This might also be a great style for the gothic bridal look. Imagine a black A-line or ball gown with fluted long sleeves and layers of lace and detailing that you can also play with for the bridal photoshoot.
What Style Or Silhouette For Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses?
The good news is that long sleeves flatter most wedding dress styles and gown silhouettes. However, the top two wedding dresses that would be fantastic with long sleeves are A-line wedding dresses and fit and flare gowns like the mermaid or trumpet dresses.
If you don’t want to commit, most bridal boutiques offer detachable sleeves that will pair different styles of dresses and gowns. This way, you can check if the style of long sleeves complements the neckline or silhouette of the dress.
Another safe option is to choose illusion sleeves or those that still create a bare-skin look with the arms. And for those who decided last minute, here’s a guide on how to add sleeves to a wedding dress.
Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses For Fall And Winter Weddings
The best season to wear long sleeve wedding dresses is fall and winter. They would also add comfort during the cold weather, and brides have more options with the materials they can use for the sleeves.
You can opt for simple fitted sleeves or even embellished sleeves. Fall and winter are also popular for boho and gothic bridal styles, so fit, and flare sleeves with curve-hugging dresses would also look fantastic.
You should also consider the skirt style and length if they complement the dress’s sleeves. Ask the seamstress for their suggestions so all the details on your dress are showcased beautifully.
Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses For The Summer Wedding
If you’re thinking of wearing a long sleeve wedding gown during summer, it’s possible as long as you pick a lightweight material. You can also choose sleeve styles that are not fitted or have parts that flare or puff out for added breathability.
You can prevent getting sweaty arms with netted or sheer fabrics like those used in illusion sleeves. Or, for comfort at the shoulders, try detachable long off-shoulder sleeves with a cute sweetheart neckline.
If you need modesty, but you made up your mind about spaghetti straps or a strapless gown, here’s what to wear over a sleeveless dress to a wedding.
What Is The Most Popular Style Of Long Sleeve Wedding Dress?
The most popular long sleeve wedding dress style is lace. The beautiful lace patterns create a romantic and ethereal bridal look, especially with an A-line dress or ball gown.
Brides also love illusion long sleeves that match their skin tone for a sultry but sophisticated look. Imagine a fitted silhouette with a sweetheart neckline and lace illusion long sleeves.
You can also wear a sexy deep V-cut wedding gown with illusion sleeves. But nowadays, more and more brides are becoming more adventurous with their fashion styles, and even statement sleeves like long bell sleeves are getting popular.
Can I Wear A Long Sleeve Wedding Dress For Summer Wedding?
Brides can still wear long sleeve wedding dresses during summer. The secret is picking a comfortable material and style for the hot weather.
Think of illusion sleeves, netted fabrics, or styles that aren’t fitted throughout the arms. Avoid heavy fabrics like crepe and choose sleeves made from lightweight materials like chiffon, tulle, or organza.
Bell and fluted sleeves are also not tight throughout the arms for comfort in the summer. And finally, choose a comfortable neckline for breathability in the chest area.
How Do I Choose The Right Long Sleeve Wedding Dress For My Body Type?
How to know what style of long sleeves will flatter your body? Here are the tips to remember when picking a long sleeve wedding gown or dress for different brides:
- For brides with toned arms, you can showcase them beautifully with illusion long sleeves as if you’re wearing lace tattoos
- If you don’t want to draw attention to the arms, a traditional lined sleeve would be perfect and would ensure that other parts of the dress are highlighted
- The best sleeves, if you want to disguise or create a slimmer shape with the arms, are flowy long bishop sleeves because of their puff
- Avoid ruffles or puff sleeves if you have broad shoulders because of their excess material; opt for sleeves that drape to soften the shoulder area
And for picking the right silhouette, brides can refer to what style of wedding dress for my body type.
What Kind Of Fabric Is Best For A Long Sleeve Wedding Dress?
Tulle long sleeves
Tulle is a gorgeous and comfortable lightweight fabric for long sleeves on bridal gowns and dresses. This is the perfect choice for draping long sleeves, especially with ethereal long sleeve wedding dresses.
Lace long sleeves
Lace creates a classy and sophisticated look for long sleeves on a wedding dress. This is also the ideal fabric choice for illusion sleeves or lace tattoos on brides.
Chiffon long sleeves
If you want a simple long sleeve style and a soft bridal look, opt for long chiffon sleeves. You can use them for straight sleeves or those that are slightly loose and cuffs around the wrist.
Silk georgette long sleeves
A modern long sleeve style to consider, especially with sophisticated wedding dresses, is silk georgette. The dull matte finish is especially gorgeous on classic white wedding gowns.
Are Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses In Style?
Long sleeve wedding dresses are timeless and flattering on most brides and silhouette styles. They come in different materials and designs ranging from simple straight long sleeves to fit and flare sleeves.
Here are some sleeve styles for different brides and wedding themes:
- Simple and fitted long sleeves for classy wedding dresses
- Lace and tulle illusion long sleeves for a sultry bridal look
- Half lace long sleeves for a chic and modern bride
- Flowy and drapey long sleeves add interest to simple sheath and straight-cut wedding dresses
- Tulle and lace hail spot sleeves for vintage bridal styles
- Voluminous tulle balloon style long sleeves paired with a sweetheart neckline
- Fit and flare embroidered long sleeves for boho and gothic brides
- Ruched georgette long sleeves for a soft and ethereal look
How Should I Accessorize My Long Sleeve Wedding Dress?
Typically, you won’t need to wear a bracelet with long sleeve wedding dresses. Instead, you’ll wear a flattering necklace for the dress’ neckline and earrings that suit your bridal hairstyle gorgeously.
Depending on the neckline’s depth, this can mean a choker necklace or a long and layered necklace. As for the earrings, you can feature a pair of dainty diamond studs or long pearl drop earrings that match the details of your wedding gown.
We’ve covered bridal accessories in more detail with our guide on how to accessorize a wedding dress.
Where To Buy Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses?
Long sleeve wedding dresses are beloved by brides, so they’d be easy to find in most bridal boutiques and designers. You can check designs from popular wedding dress designers like Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier.
But if you can’t spend thousands of dollars for your long sleeve wedding dress, you can check popular stores like David’s Bridal or even your local boutiques. You can also opt for sleeveless wedding dresses, then check detachable long sleeves to add to them.
Finally, some brides might want to wear a certain dress because of its sentimentality. Your sleeveless family heirloom might be possible to pair with long sleeves, depending on the seamstress’ opinion.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We hope you learned everything about long sleeve wedding dresses to help you pick the most flattering style for your wedding day.
You can go with classic lace or illusion sleeves, but fit and flare sleeves are also gorgeous, especially with form-hugging wedding gowns. And as for the season, you can still wear long sleeves during summer as there are light fabrics like tulle or chiffon that would be breathable for the hot weather.
Overall, take your time picking a long sleeve wedding dress, as long sleeves are timeless and flattering on most brides. Let us know below which style you think suits your bridal look best.