Validating an idea i came up with while Wedding Dress Shopping

You would have to think about color compatibility for attaching sleeves to different outfits. Also, the sleeve attachment would be an issue, especially to get a smooth connection. Another way to have clothes for different occasions would be to check out some of the second-hand stores, like Goodwill.

But, if you can make the detachable sleeves work somehow, all the better.

View Quoted Comment Thanks Michael! Assuming color comparability and smooth transition and a price-tag that justifies not buying an entirely new outfit - do you see a market for this? I appreciate your input

It does not seem like a viable option overall. Usually you might have items in a wardrobe to mix and match so that the wardrobe is flexible without looking the same at every event. Sleeves may be too narrow of a focus for this. But if you found nice ways to make sleeves and you do this just as a hobby while testing the ideas with friends, you might find something that could work for a broader market or product line. Maybe modify dresses to have a split that reveals a different color or material instead of a leg -- just minor changes that make a new look.

Yes. There is a similar product on Amazon. I think it’s a great idea

Due to the labor involved in attaching and detaching them that really only a seamstress is skilled at, it would be cheaper and easier to find a bolero jacket or fingerless gloves on Etsy. But your idea is a great one that many designers actually don’t care about putting any effort into, therefore styles with sleeves are intentionally unflattering and impossible to move in as well as exorbitantly expensive, in order to steer women away from them.

I agree with Michelle, I wear a blazer, shawl or cardigan over sleveless.
For occasions, I put a black blazer over business causal with black pumps.

I think the material to go from one piece to another would have to be shear in order to match as well as possible. I'm not a fan of sheer sleeves & in fact bought a top from a store w/shear sleeves to wear as my ugly Christmas sweater because I dislike them so much. I like the idea but I can't think of material that would match a ribbed tank that could also turn a spaghetti strap dress into a long sleeve with matching material. I think shear is the only option.

Not only material as a concern, but how does one hold onto the sleeves should they get too warm? When I wear a sweater, it looks normal to take it off & hold it over my arm. I feel like sleeves only might look awkward.

I think that it works for wedding dresses because they’re traditionally a limited set of colors — white, ivory, cream. With other dresses, you’d have to have such a massive range of colors that it wouldn’t be practical, or stick to offering a limited selection of colors that wouldn’t match a lot of dresses. It would be really difficult to do.