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What is a Cap Sleeve?

J. Beam
J. Beam

A cap sleeve is a specific sleeve style found on short sleeve shirts, dresses, and other garments. In fashion, this term is generally a descriptor reserved for women’s blouses and T-shirts, though it refers more to the specific cut or style of garment, indicating that the sleeve is cut and seamed to fit the shoulders correctly. A cap sleeve shirt is usually not as loose about the upper arms as the standard men’s T-shirt. The length of the sleeve is also slightly shorter than a standard short-sleeved shirt, with the average length being between 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) to about 4 inches (10.2 cm).

Shirts and dresses given this name can be casual or formal, but they are always short sleeved. A number of shirt styles for women are described with this term, including T-shirts. Cap sleeve T-shirts are particularly popular among young women and girls, especially when the shirt is cut to fit the waistline as well.

A woman's t-shirt with cap sleeves.
A woman's t-shirt with cap sleeves.

Cap sleeve blouses are simply a style of short sleeve blouse that fits well under a blazer or jacket because the sleeves are cut to fit and do not bunch up around the upper arm and armpit area. Similarly, a dress with these sleeves can be coupled with a blazer, jacket, or sweater and be comfortable to wear as well. Though the blouse may have a collar, most are collarless with varying neckline styles.

Any type of material, from cotton to rayon to stretch knit, can be used for a cap sleeve shirt. Both high-end designers and mass retail labels use the descriptor to describe a wide assortment of women’s tops and dresses. They are considered a more feminine version of the standard T-shirt and are available in an array of patterns and styles.

Discussion Comments

anon951134

I'm a guy and I love wearing women's cap sleeve t shirts. I find them to be more comfy than a regular t shirt. They are really comfy in the spring and summer they are a very nice replacement for tank tops as I don't like them.

ceilingcat

@KaBoom - There are so many weird mistakes you can make when dressing for the office, but I have to say wearing a too-thick shirt under a jacket is something I've never done. I've always preferred cap sleeve tshirts and dresses, so I've never tried to wear anything else under a jacket. It's good information to know though!

KaBoom

I think a cap sleeve tee is the perfect thing to wear under a jacket or a cardigan. As the article said, it's very comfortable because there isn't a bunch of excess material in the sleeve area. I swear there is nothing worse than trying to fit a jacket over a shirt that is too thick!

I actually made this mistake several times early on in my office career. For me, it was a combination of buying a jacket that was slightly too small and wearing the wrong shirt under it. Never again!

sunnySkys
@Monika - I like cap sleeve t-shirts, but I don't wear them exclusively. I also wear pretty much every other kind of sleeve too. I like to have variety in my wardrobe so I don't get bored wearing the same kind of thing over and over again.
Monika

@ellaesans - I'm one of those people! My arms aren't a troublesome area for me, so I wear cap sleeve tops all the time. I think they look a lot more tasteful than tank top, but much cuter than a standard short sleeve shirt.

It can be really hard to find appropriate things to wear in hot weather, especially if you're a female. You want to be comfortable, but not dressed too skimpily. I think cap sleeves are a great compromise between wearing a little bit less but still looking professional and nice.

anon180906

I prefer longer sleeves, to the elbow. I don't care for the cap sleeves.

ellaesans

@tmacsgirl - I absolutely know where you’re coming from with the self conscious thing about the upper arms. Unfortunately, I live in a place where wearing a professional jacket isn’t always comfortable, either.

While cap sleeves are generally distributed to all sorts of climates, the good news is that the style can be made from any material. In sharp contrast to our personal opinions, though, many women like to wear cap sleeves because they provide more “protection” than a sleeveless top without the bulk and discomfort of a ¾ or full sleeve model.

tmacsgirl

While cap sleeves are ideal for warm weather, such minimal coverage and the place where the sleeve touches the arm may be unflattering to the upper part of the arm. Often times the inner part of the cap sleeve is lined with elastic. This elastic hugs the arm in a way that may be uncomfortable because of its constriction.

Personally, I prefer to keep the cap sleeves covered by a blazer or light jacket to prevent feeling insecure about the width of my upper arms.

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    • A woman's t-shirt with cap sleeves.
      By: picsfive
      A woman's t-shirt with cap sleeves.