Definition

Noun: A type of garment, typically a coat or sweater, characterized by its distinctive sleeve construction. The defining feature is a raglan sleeve, which extends in one piece from the collar to the underarm, creating a diagonal seam from the neckline to the armpit, rather than a seam at the shoulder.

Usage

• The term "raglan" primarily refers to the garment style itself.
• It is most commonly used as a noun to name the coat or sweater.
• It can also function attributively (like an adjective) to describe the sleeve type, as in "raglan sleeve."

Examples

• Noun:
  • He wore a comfortable wool raglan to the game.
  • This raglan is perfect for layering because of its relaxed fit.
• Attributive use:
  • The baseball jacket had classic raglan sleeves in two contrasting colors.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The style is named after Lord Raglan, a British commander during the Crimean War (1853-1856), who reportedly wore a coat with this sleeve design, possibly to accommodate an arm injury.
• Functional Advantage: Raglan sleeves often allow for greater freedom of movement than set-in sleeves, making them popular in sportswear, casual sweaters, and military coats.

Variants and Related Words

• Raglan sleeve (noun phrase): The specific sleeve design that defines a raglan garment.
  • The pattern instructions explain how to sew a raglan sleeve.
• Raglan-shouldered (adjective): Describing a garment that has raglan sleeves.
  • It was a raglan-shouldered overcoat.

Synonyms

• Saddle-shoulder sweater: A specific type of sweater often featuring raglan sleeves, sometimes with a contrasting color on the sleeve yoke.
• Baseball jacket: A common style of jacket that typically uses raglan sleeves.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word "raglan" is specific to fashion and garment construction. It does not have other common meanings outside of this context. It refers solely to the item of clothing or its sleeve style.

Noun

1. a garment (coat or sweater) that has raglan sleeves