How long should blazer sleeves be?
One of the most common questions clients ask a bespoke tailor is deceptively simple: how long should blazer sleeves be? As Brian Kreps explains, sleeve length is ultimately a matter of personal preference, but there is a clear and well-established standard that consistently produces the most balanced and intentional result.
The ideal sleeve length
Brian’s recommendation is straightforward and precise. Blazer sleeves should be short enough to show at least half an inch of shirt cuff, with the sleeve ending just above the break of the wrist. This proportion creates visual balance between jacket and shirt, preventing the blazer from appearing heavy or unfinished while ensuring the shirt is not overshadowed.
That visible half inch of cuff is not decorative. It is a signal of fit. When no cuff is visible, sleeves often look unresolved, as if the jacket has not been properly adapted to the wearer. This can give the impression of an off-the-rack garment worn without refinement. Showing cuff, by contrast, communicates intention and precision.
When it makes sense to vary from the standard
Personal preference does come into play, but legitimate deviations are limited. One practical exception is when a blazer is frequently worn with a short-sleeve shirt such as a polo or t-shirt. In that case, a slightly longer sleeve can help maintain visual balance.
At the other extreme, some clients intentionally wear sleeves a touch shorter, showing closer to an inch of cuff. This choice is most often made by men who regularly wear French-cuffed shirts with cuff links and want that detail to be more prominent. Outside of these specific cases, extremes in sleeve length rarely flatter the wearer.
What sleeve length says about fit
Sleeves that are too long tend to suggest that the jacket was never properly finished. Sleeves that are too short usually look accidental rather than expressive. As Brian puts it candidly, both scenarios typically indicate that the wearer needs guidance, which is exactly where advice and experience from B. Kreps’ expert team comes in. .
Does fabric or cut change the rule?
These principles do not change based on fabric, weight, or cut. They apply equally to blazers and full suits, whether casual or formal.
During the making of a fully bespoke garment at B. Kreps, sleeve length is refined through fittings that take movement, posture, and personal style into account, rather than relying solely on static measurements. Adjustments are made while the garment is being created, ensuring the final proportions feel natural and deliberate.
Delivery of the finished bespoke blazer or suit typically takes place within five to six weeks, resulting in a garment whose sleeve length looks intentional, balanced, and unmistakably right for the individual wearing it.
Come and visit us at one of our showrooms in Houston to learn more or book an appointment for your first bespoke commission.
Heights
2313 Edwards Street
Unit 115
Houston, Texas 77007
(281) 799-4872
Downtown Tunnel Loop
919 Milam Street
Unit T0700
Houston, Texas 77002