Cutaway sleeve

A sleeve with the underarm or armhole edge cut away for range of motion—the cutaway tailoring detail on jackets and coats, distinct from cuff vents and from decorative slash cuts.

How to recognize it

Cutaway sleeve shows a trimmed or open underarm section easing arm lift.

Vent sleeve is a short cuff slit. Split sleeve opens along the outer arm length.

Origin and history

Sleeve tailoring includes cutaway armholes on riding and sport coats.[1] Tailoring articles describe underarm ease on wool jackets.[2] Museum dress-shirt photography documents cuff vent cousins on cotton.[3] Coat construction uses cutaway armholes on structured outerwear.[4]

Cutaway sleeves aid reaching and driving in coats.[4] Cutaway differs from vent cuff slit.[1] Contrast with slashed decorative cut.[2]

Today cutaway sleeve appears on sport coats, riding jackets, and performance blazers in wool and technical blends.[1][4] Cutaway must not gap at rest.[2] When underarm is trimmed for movement—cutaway sleeve applies.[4]

Where it is used

Sport coats, riding jackets, performance blazers, and tailored outerwear.[4]

What is worn now

Editorial styling suggestions from MsDressly—not strict rules.

Cutaway sleeve pairs with structured shoulder on sport coats.[2] Tan cutaway blazer reads country tailored.[4]

How it differs

Vent is cuff slit. Split opens along arm. Coat names outerwear block.[1]

Expression and impression

Cutaway sleeve reads sport-tailored, movement-forward, and jacket-technical. Wool cutaway blazer reads riding classic.

Common questions

Cutaway vs vent sleeve? Vent is cuff slit; cutaway trims underarm.[1]

Cutaway vs split? Split opens outer seam; cutaway shapes armhole.[1]

Cutaway sleeve modern? Yes on sport coats and riding jackets.[4]

Sources

  1. Sleeve . Wikipedia Historical sleeve types including bell, bishop, butterfly, cap, puff, and raglan constructions.
  2. Tailoring . Wikipedia Set-in sleeve insertion, armhole ease, and tailored jacket construction.
  3. File:Shirt, dress (AM 1967.118-2).jpg . Wikimedia Commons Museum dress shirt with narrow tailored line; Auckland Museum; CC BY 4.0.
  4. Coat . Wikipedia Structured set-in coat sleeves on wool overcoats and trench coats.

Written by MsDressly Editorial

September 21, 2026