What Is a Semi-Raglan Sleeve?
The semi-raglan sleeve has an armhole that curves to the middle of the shoulder seam. The more commonly recognized raglan seam goes all the way to the intersection of the shoulder and the neckline. One of the most common items of clothing that employs the semi-raglan sleeve is the baseball shirt. What makes semi-raglan sleeves so unique is their distinguishing slanting seam. This type of sleeve has no seam at the defined shoulder. The manor in which the seam is placed makes it appear as if there is not a specific defining line of shoulder placement within the garment.
The semi-raglan sleeve has an armhole that curves to the middle of the shoulder seam. The more commonly recognized raglan seam goes all the way to the intersection of the shoulder and the neckline. One of the most common items of clothing that employs the semi-raglan sleeve is the baseball shirt. What makes semi-raglan sleeves so unique is their distinguishing slanting seam. This type of sleeve has no seam at the defined shoulder. The manor in which the seam is placed makes it appear as if there is not a specific defining line of shoulder placement within the garment. This type of sleeve was named after Field Marshal FitzRoy James Henry Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan. The renowned field marshal lost his arm at the battle of Waterloo. A sleeve was designed to fit his coat and accommodate the loss of his arm. Ironically, sleeves are considered arm covers, but the raglan type sleeve was created for the sole reason that the Baron of Raglan needed a garment to accommodate the loss of his arm.
