dolmans

Dolmans refer to garments or sleeve styles in fashion that feature dolman sleeves. A dolman sleeve is cut as part of the bodice, producing a very wide, draped shoulder and upper arm that often narrows toward the wrist, usually ending in a cuff. Because the sleeve and body are formed together, dolman-sleeved garments tend to have a loose, relaxed silhouette. The term can describe the sleeves themselves or a garment such as a dolman coat, sweater, or blouse that uses this sleeve construction.

In practice, dolman designs are used to create ease of movement and a voluminous upper silhouette. Dolman coats and jackets are common examples, sometimes offering a cape-like effect where the upper body flows into the sleeve. The style has appeared in various fashion periods, with revivals in different eras alongside other loose, unstructured silhouettes.

Etymology and origins are debated. The name dolman is generally linked to Middle Eastern or Ottoman influences in historical fashion, but precise origins remain uncertain. The term has been adopted in Western fashion discourse to describe the distinctive sleeve and garment shape rather than a single, fixed item.

Dolmans as a surname: Dolman is a surname used in several countries, and the plural form Dolmans may appear in descriptions of people bearing the name or in historical records and catalogs mentioning multiple individuals with that surname.