How to Choose Flattering Sleeve Types for Broad Shoulders

Technical Style Guide for UK & USA Fit

When you have broad shoulders, choosing the right sleeve shape can make all the difference to your overall silhouette. The wrong sleeve style can emphasise width and create a boxy look—while the right one can bring balance, soften the upper body, and flatter your natural frame. Whether you're styling blouses, dresses, blazers, or outerwear, this guide breaks down the most flattering sleeve types for broad shoulders, with specific recommendations and fit insights.

Understanding Broad Shoulders in Fashion Fit Terms

In technical styling terms, broad shoulders typically mean your shoulder span is wider than your waist and hip measurements, and your upper half may dominate your silhouette. This is most commonly seen in:

Inverted triangle body shapes
Athletic builds
Some rectangular or hourglass figures with muscular upper bodies

Flattering styling is about visual balance: drawing the eye vertically or downwards, rather than horizontally across the shoulder line.

Best Sleeve Types for Broad Shoulders

1. Raglan Sleeves

Why it works: Raglan sleeves extend from the neckline in one continuous piece to the underarm, creating a diagonal seam that breaks up the shoulder line.

Effect: This softens the visual width and avoids adding bulk around the upper arm. Raglan styles are especially flattering on outerwear and casual tops.

Best for: Sweatshirts, bombers, knitwear, relaxed blouses.

2. Dolman (or Batwing) Sleeves

Why it works: Dolman sleeves start wide at the shoulder and taper at the wrist, often merging into the bodice with minimal seam structure.

Effect: The drape draws attention to the lower arm and wrist, rather than the shoulder, creating a flowing shape that detracts from upper width.

Best for: Statement knitwear, day-to-night tops, silk blouses.

3. Sleeveless Styles with Wide Straps

Why it works: Sleeveless tops can work for broad shoulders when they feature wide straps or cut-in shoulders that visually reduce width.

Effect: Avoiding cap sleeves or spaghetti straps, this type of sleeveless style maintains balance while still allowing arm movement.

Best for: Summer dresses, vests, tailored jumpsuits.

4. Set-In Sleeves with Vertical Details

Why it works: A traditional set-in sleeve can still work if the garment includes vertical style lines, paneling, or sleeve seams that run parallel to the body.

Effect: Adds elongation and breaks the width, particularly effective when paired with v-necks or longer silhouettes.

Best for: Office shirts, tuxedo jackets, dresses with structured tailoring.

5. Fluted or Bell Sleeves (Starting Below the Shoulder)

Why it works: Sleeves that flare at the forearm or wrist rather than at the shoulder create visual softness and balance.

Effect: This pulls attention away from the shoulders and creates a flowing effect lower down the arm.

Best for: Eveningwear, smart-casual tops, occasion dresses.

6. Three-Quarter Sleeves

Why it works: Sleeves that end at the forearm visually crop the arm, giving a leaner look to the upper body while still offering coverage.

Effect: Can be especially flattering when paired with open necklines or soft fabrics.

Best for: Workwear, wrap dresses, layering pieces.

7. Kimono Sleeves (With Caution)

Why it works: Kimono sleeves have a wide cut but when made from soft, drapey fabrics, they can create a fluid silhouette rather than a boxy one.

Effect: When styled well, they add drama and ease without making the shoulders look wider.

Best for: Summer dresses, resortwear, relaxed wrap tops.

Sleeve Types to Avoid for Broad Shoulders

While every body is different, the following sleeve styles tend to visually increase shoulder width:

Cap Sleeves: These hit right at the widest point of the shoulder and exaggerate the span.
Puffed or Gathered Shoulders: Volume at the top of the arm draws attention to shoulder width.
Structured Shoulder Pads: These will square out your silhouette unless you’re intentionally styling a power look (see: 80s-inspired blazers).
Spaghetti Straps: Thin straps can make shoulders appear even broader by contrast.

Best Necklines to Pair with Sleeve Choices

Your sleeve choice will look even better when matched to a flattering neckline. For broad shoulders, choose:

V-Necks – draw the eye vertically and narrow the upper half
Scoop Necks – soften strong lines
Wrap Tops – balance the chest and shoulders
Off-the-Shoulder – widen the chest subtly but soften the shoulder line

Avoid high crew necks or square necks with structured shoulders unless balanced out elsewhere.

Top Brands That Nail These Silhouettes (UK & USA)

Arket – Clean raglan sleeves in tailored knitwear and coats
Reiss – Sleek wrap blouses and dresses with vertical tailoring
Everlane – Soft dolman sleeves and relaxed fits for balanced silhouettes
Karen Millen – Occasionwear with fluted sleeves and shoulder-friendly cuts
M&S Autograph – Bell-sleeve dresses and understated kimono styles
Theory (USA) – Technical set-in sleeves with panelled lines
Anthropologie – Feminine cuts with three-quarter and flutter sleeves
COS – Minimalist, sleeve-forward design with structure in soft drapes

Personalised Fit Made Simple with Tellar.co.uk

If you're struggling to find the right fit across different brands, Tellar.co.uk does the hard work for you. It’s the UK’s leading free sizing tool, matching your body measurements or known size in a brand to over 1,500+ fashion retailers in real time.

How it works:

Measure once: Use your bust, waist, and hip, or simply input your best-fitting size in a favourite brand.
Use Tellar’s Store Size Lookup Tool to instantly find your perfect size in stores like COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.
No more size charts or guesswork.

It’s free, works in-browser (no download needed), and includes a printable measuring tape for accuracy. Whether you're browsing UK or US brands, Tellar makes shopping easier and smarter.

➡️ Create your free Tellar profile now

➡️ Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

➡️ Get the free measuring tape

More Styling Help in the Free Tellar Fashion Hub

Still not sure which cuts flatter you most? The Tellar Fashion Hub offers thousands of free, stylist-written posts with honest, unbiased advice. Dive into:

Whether you’re dressing for the office, brunch, or a night out—Tellar helps you find what flatters you, not the mannequin.

Follow Tellar.co.uk for More Real Fit Advice

Stay updated with expert fit science and real-world styling advice:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
X/Twitter: @Tellar100
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarUK

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Always independent. Always accurate. Always free.

Only at Tellar.co.uk