Sleeveless Collection (page 3)

Maria Ewing, Ronnie Scotts, Soho, London, 2001. Artist: Brian O Connor
Maria Ewing, Ronnie Scott s, Soho, London, 2001

Amina Figarova, Watermill Jazz Club, Dorking, Surrey, 2015. Artist: Brian O Connor
Amina Figarova, Watermill Jazz Club, Dorking, Surrey, 2015

Femme en bleu, 1874, (1939). Artist: Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
Femme en bleu, 1874, (1939). The painting is housed in Musee du Louvre, Paris. From Verve - Nos. 5-6, July-October 1939. [Verve, France, 1939]

A Portrait, c1922, (c1932). Artist: Ambrose McEvoy
A Portrait, c1922, (c1932). From Modern Art by Charles Marriott & Tis & Tis. [Colour Ltd. London, 1909]

The Countess of Rocksavage and Her Son, 1922 (1935). Artist: Charles Sims
The Countess of Rocksavage and Her Son, c1922 (1935). After the painting by Charles Sims, R.A. From Modern Masterpieces Part 19. [George Newnes Ltd, London, 1935]

Miss Mary Anderson as Perdita, c1893. Artist: Henry Herschel Hay Cameron
Miss Mary Anderson as Perdita, c1893. Mary Anderson (1859-1940), as Perdita from The Winters Tale by William Shakespeare. From The Studio Volume 2. [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1893]

YASMEEN GHAURI MODELS DIOR IN PARIS

Young lady in evening gown by Paul Poiret
Young lady wearing a sleeveless evening gown of grey velvet with embroidered silver pattern, with a long lightweight sheer dress scarf draped around her neck and arm, by Paul Poiret. 1924

Two women in evening dresses by Paul Poiret
Two women in sleeveless evening dresses by Paul Poiret. On the left, blue with silver design. On the right, pink with a frill at the hip. 1924

A Woman Laying In The Sand With A Sandy Face, Hair And Arms; Kauai, Hawaii, United States Of America

A Young Woman Wearing A Lei Rides A Surfboard Out In The Water; Maui, Hawaii, United States Of America

A Young Woman Lays On A Surfboard On The Sand; Maui, Hawaii, United States Of America

Silhouette of a female surfer holding her surfboard while standing on a rock at the coast; andalusia spain

Silhouette of a female surfer holding her surfboard up above her head while standing on a rock at the coast; andalusia spain

Denim stone wash top from River Island Camouflage sheer vest top from Warehouse August 1997

German Costume of 1400
Ornately patterned, short, sleeveless super-tunics worn over doublets & chain-mail. Footwear: buskins or soled hose. Headdress: hoods or caps. NB: pouch & cloak with brooch. Date: 1400

Italian Costumes C15Th
Italian costume: gown with hanging sleeves & laced across the kirtle bodice; gown with large sleeves ornamented with bows. Man: fur-trimmed jacket & sleeveless, hooded garment. Date: 15th century

German Nobles C. 1425
Man: sleeveless, fur-lined & trimmed loose fitting garment, hose, piked shoes (cracowes) & a dagged cap. Woman: long mantle with a dagged border. Date: circa 1425

Fashions by Dior and Worth
In the background is a two-piece by Dior of silk shantung dyed to a mandarin colour. The pleated skirt is mounted on a chemise top and worn with a sleeveless bodice trimmed with matching bows

Woman in silk evening gown sitting by vanity table, showing leg, (B&W)

Woman sitting at vanity table, applying cosmetics on leg, (B&W)

Timeless beauty
Retro style dressed woman with cigarette holder

Evening Dress / Poiret
Tunic dress by Paul Poiret: tubular skirt in a green spiral motif print, bronze coloured sleeveless tunic worn with a belt across the hips. Accessories: armlets & pearls

1920s woman admiring her shoes
1920s woman seated admiring her shoes. 1927

Hon Mrs Richard Norton wearing a Schiaparelli outfit, 1937
Mrs Richard Norton modelling an enchanting ensemble from Schiaparelli, which consists of a short, fitted jacket of tweed in a dull shade of pink and a dress of brown wool with a sleeveless bodice

French womens fashion 1926
Three-piece blue and white afternoon dress in crepe by Worth. Chiffon sun dress by Bernard. Date: 1926

Advert for Marshall & Snelgrove frilly dress 1938
Like a petal of a flower, frills, frills, frills... even at the demure neckline. Woman wearing a full length Christmas party evening dress with frills around neckline and from the hips down. 1938

State Habits of C14Th
State Habits: cote-hardie with fitchets & long tippets to the sleeves, sideless surcote worn over a kirtle, tabard style sleeveless surcote with side slits. 14th century

German - Italian Dress
Woman: barbette & fillet. Man: tabard style sleeveless surcote, tunic, mantle fastened with cord. Italian students wear voluminous gowns & a fur-lined surcote. 13th century

Prince, Noble, Page C14
Prince: gipon (doublet), soled & piked hose, knightly-girdle, dagged mantle. Noble: shoulder cape, hood & cloak. Page: wide short sleeveless tunic with side vents, funnel sleeves. Date: 14th century

German Costume C. 1515
German townspeople of the early 16th century. He wears a sleeveless gown possibly with a fur collar & his gathered shirt front is visible. The ladys sleeves have panes Date: circa 1515

At Dressmakers 1913
A dressmaker adjusts the hem of a tango skirt which is worn with a backless, sleeveless tunic & striped sash. A gentleman holds her fur- trimmed mantle. Date: 1913

Elegant Evening Dress
Back view of a dress in heavy crepe-satin with gored skirt trimmed with skunk fur at the hem & with an unusual segmented back detail to the bodice with triangular shaped voids. Date: 1930s

Fashions / Lefranco 1892
Tartan blouse, gigot sleeves, sleeveless bolero with passementerie. High necked lace blouse, coat bodice with long basques simulating an over-skirt, gored skirt. Date: 1892

Ball Dress 1899
Gold low cut gown with shoulder straps (tied into bows), roses worn on the corsage, draped lace edge panel to the skirt, lace applique & purple ruched trim Date: 1899

Social / French Party 1931
Two evening dresses by Philippe Rodier: one in dark green with a gored skirt and diamond buckle on one hip; the other is in pale blue. Date: April 1931

Officers of State C14Th
Officers of State in super- tunics including a garnache with cape-like sleeves, garde- corp & a sleeveless version with placket or fitchet. N.B Hoods with liripipes. Date: 14th century

Capes and coats 1933
Two models wearing fashionable outdoor wear; (left) Sleeveless coat for the summer that is very effective contrast, with the dress showing on the sleeves

Crochet moonray dress by Clobber, 1966
Silver crochet moonray dress by Clobber, the boutique launched by designer Jeff Banks in Blackheath in 1964 (the same year Mary Evans Picture Library also launched in Blackheath)

Susan Small and Mr Dino of America dresses, 1965
All-white dress by Susan Small in crisp Arnel sharkskin with tramline stitching that breaks into sharp pleats above the knee. Made to drip and dry and stay just the way it is

Linen dress from Harrods, 1965
Navy linen dress frogged with vivid scarlet braid from a selection of gay young American dresses at Harrods. Date: 1965

Frederica evening dress, 1961
A cocktail dress in fine wool available from Frederica, a brand name of Frederick Starke. 1961. Date: 1961

Jaeger fashion 1965
Model wearing a Jaeger wool suit in marigold frieze, worn with a sleeveless white wool sweater and white linen hat. She is posed in the stock order department at Dormeuil

Pringle fashion 1965
A model wearing cashmere knitwear by Pringle of Scotland, the classic knitwear brand. The intarsia-patterned sleeveless sweater in pineapple and white is teamed with a classic pineapple cardigan

Dainty frock of opal hues, page of instructions in a brochure, Dy-o-la Dyes. Date: 1920s

The Birthday dress
A dress design based on front covers of the magazine La Vie Parisienne. Date: 1935

Knitted sleeveless waistcoat, circa 1941
A lady models a knitted sleeveless waistcoat, circa 1941. She holds what looks like a budding chesnut branch in her hands-perhaps shes doing a spot of gardening. Date: c. 1941

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Sleeveless: A Fashion Evolution Through the Decades" From the flapper on bonnet in 1927 to three German sunlovers basking in style, sleeveless garments have always been a symbol of liberation and elegance. As autumn fashions took center stage, evening dresses adorned with intricate details showcased the allure of bare arms. Coco Chanel herself revolutionized fashion by donning her own sleeveless designs, forever changing the way women dressed. In 1922, an enchanting evening dress captured hearts with its sleeveless silhouette that exuded grace and sophistication. Veet's advertisement in 1926 embraced this trend, emphasizing smooth underarms as a must-have accessory for any fashionable woman. The swinging sixties brought crimplene fashion into vogue, where bold colors and geometric patterns dominated sleeveless ensembles. Women confidently flaunted their arms while embracing this new era of self-expression. Traveling back to the roaring twenties, a woman gracefully donned a flapper dress in 1923 - its sleevelessness reflecting her carefree spirit. Three daytime outfits by Drecoll, Poiret, and Jenny highlighted how different designers incorporated this timeless trend into their creations. Even outdoor activities like hiking were not exempt from embracing sleevelessness; an advert showcasing hiking outfits proved that functionality could coexist with style. Returning to evenings filled with glamour and opulence, Worth's stunning evening dress from 1922 epitomized luxury through its exquisite craftsmanship and delicate absence of sleeves. Lastly, even beachwear was not immune to the allure of going sans sleeves - a breezy beach dress became synonymous with effortless chicness under sunny skies. Throughout history, "sleeveless" has transcended mere fabric choices; it represents empowerment for women who embrace their bodies' beauty while making bold fashion statements.