Style guide · Sleeves
Elbow Sleeves (Adhe Bazu) for Kameez and Kurtis
Also called adhe bazu
Quick answer
Elbow sleeves end at or just above the elbow. They’re cool in summer, easy with bangles and practical for housework, and they’re often what people mean by half sleeves (adhe bazu). Because that name covers a range of lengths, give us the exact sleeve length you want.
What it is
An elbow sleeve covers the upper arm and stops around the point of the elbow. Just above the elbow it looks neat and summery; just below, it gives a little more coverage while still letting you bend your arm freely. It’s usually straight, but it can take a small slit, a turned-back cuff, a puff at the hem, a gentle flare or a lace edge.
Many people call this length “half sleeves”, but the same name is also used for shorter sleeves, so a measurement avoids any mix-up.
Who and what it suits
- Summer: one of the coolest lengths that still covers the upper arm, especially in lawn.
- Everyday and home wear: it stays clear of water and cooking and never needs pushing up.
- Short kurtas and co-ords: it balances a hip or thigh-length kurta with straight or cigarette trousers.
- Bangles: the forearm and wrist stay free.
- Workplaces with sleeve rules: some settings, such as hospitals, laboratories and kitchens, have rules about sleeve length or loose fabric, which a neat elbow sleeve can meet.
Fabrics and finishing
Elbow sleeves work in lawn, cotton, cambric and linen, and they carry a small puff or flare at the hem well because the fabric doesn’t have far to hang. In very soft lawn a gathered hem tends to collapse, so a band or a light interfacing helps it keep its shape. Chiffon elbow sleeves look pretty left sheer over a lined body.
Finish the hem with a narrow band, piping, a lace edge or the sleeve border from your suit. A border at elbow length sits where it’s easily seen.
Measurements that matter
Sleeve length is measured from the shoulder point to where you want the hem, with your arm relaxed; decide whether you want it to finish above or below the elbow. The upper arm measurement matters most here, because an elbow sleeve that is snug at the hem can pinch when you bend your arm. Send the armhole too, as it sets how freely you can lift your arm.
How to ask for it
Choose “Elbow” under sleeves on the stitching quote form and add the sleeve length in the notes, in inches or centimetres, saying whether it should sit above or below the elbow. Mention any cuff, slit, puff or lace you’d like at the hem.
Common questions
Are half sleeves the same as elbow sleeves?
Often, but not always. Some people mean a sleeve ending at the elbow and others mean a shorter sleeve, so we go by your measurement rather than the name.
Will an elbow sleeve feel tight when I bend my arm?
Not if it’s cut with enough room around the upper arm and at the hem. Send your upper arm measurement, and tell us if you like your sleeves on the loose side.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026.
