Visual communication and six degrees of separation

Fashion narrative of The History of the Full sleeve


In University, we were asked to research a given trend in groups, and present our findings and six degrees of separation to everyone. Each person in the group had to either research the past of the trend, the present or the future. Our trend was full sleeves and my area was to research the past of full sleeves.
  So, when someone thinks of a full sleeve, they just think of a smooth, straight sleeve that finishes and sits on the wrist, right? Well, that's what I thought too at first when we were given the task in university to research the history of full sleeves and present it in a visual narrative. Well truth be told, there have actually been three types of full sleeves throughout fashion history...

The Bell sleeve 

♡Bell sleeves first made their way into fashion in the medieval period, but were only worn by the clergy men, for their religious robes. They wore a long robe called a Chasuble, which included long, wide Bell sleeves, that arched on both sides. 

♡In the1500’s, the religious connotations of the sleeve had disappeared and the upper classes, and royalty adopted the sleeve, adding embellishment. This helped to add flair to the sleeve, therefore showing wealth and status. In their eyes, “the bigger the better.”

♡This trend was adapted from a religious garment by the French nobility, with Anne of Brittany, being a fashionable wearer of this trend.

♡From then, the trend moved to England in the Elizabethan era. Here they added frills, lace, and pleats to the sleeve,  resulting in The billowing Bell sleeve. This look highlighted wealth, and the ability to afford high fashion. However, it was highly impractical, so the working class couldn’t wear this look. They wore smooth, fitted sleeves, which were sensible to work and move in. 

The leg of Mutton sleeve 

♡This sleeve style became popular in 1825 to 1833. However, when Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837, the style slightly fell out of fashion in favour of a more subdued style. 

♡In the 1820s, Gigot sleeves were viewed as a sign of beauty and wealth. This ideal was inspired by the Romantic Movement and was thought to create the image that a woman was pining for her lover. With this look, a soft look was created, and one that flattered the silhouette  of an upper class women. 

♡The style of sleeve fell out of fashion after the 1830’s, however, re emerged with great extravagance in the 1890’s and early 1900’s, towards the end of the Victorian period.

♡Again deigned for the upper and middle class, this adaption of the sleeve saw the sleeve sat on the shoulder and not dropped slightly. The large sleeves gave the idea of a thinner waist, as the waist was brought in to create more of an hourglass figure.   ♡Sleeves kept getting larger and larger, with more padding being added, until 1899, where a small puff on the shoulder was the new fashionable, more feminine style.  

And finally ...The Bishop sleeve 

♡Unlike the Bell Sleeve and Gigot full sleeves, the Bishop full sleeve has worn by the middle and working class, and wasn’t seen as a high fashion style of clothing, but more of a practical women’s fashion style.

•♡Came from Priest’s traditional clothing.

•♡This sleeve style ha a slight cross over with the Gigot Sleeve, as this style was made available during the American Civil War, during the years 1861 – 1865. Women would wear these practical dresses, as the sleeves were easier to roll up and wouldn’t get in the way of work.

•♡These sleeves were then made fashionable for the higher classes during the 1930’s, with a higher quality material like silk, giving the suggestion of glamour and sophistication for women.

•♡Became fashionable in the 60’s again with more of a looser look.  

So there we go, the visual history of Bell sleeves, Leg of Mutton sleeves and Bishop Sleeves. 

Linked below is the full presentation

https://www.slideshare.net/AnnaBevilacqua1/full-sleeve-trend

Until next time
Anna xx