Originally, the term referred to a long and loose garment with narrow sleeves and an opening in the front. "In the years between 900 and 1300, costume had evolved gradually from loosely fitted, T-shaped tunics and loose mantles to more closely fitted styles of a more complex cut. As medieval courts became centers of fashionable life, special court dress developed. Made of more costly materials, clothing was often so extreme in cut that it clearly demonstrated that the wearer belonged to a more leisured class. As the economy improved, the manufacture and distribution of fabrics multiplied and new types of clothing became available. As the merchant class in the towns increased in wealth and numbers, fashionable dress was adopted not only by the nobility but also by the bourgeoisie.
Some elements of styles from the late Middle ages served as an inspiration to fashion designers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Notable revivals of medieval styles include, parti-colored clothing, sideless surcoats, cowl necklines, and hanging sleeves. The Magyar sleeve, cut full under the arm was revived in the 1930's and the World War II period as the "bat wing" or "dolman" sleeve. During the late Romantic through the Crinoline periods, hanging sleeves appeared again" (Tortora/Eubank)
Now that you have had a short fashion history lesson, feel free to fall in love with The Dolman~
Alexander Wang Spring 10'
