Comments on: Sleeve length frustrations

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:54:31 +0000

I like a 3/4 or just at elbow length t or thin knit for layering undering jackets at work. Then, if I want or need to take off my jacket I still feel covered up enough for work. Very sleek, non bulky sweaters work perfectly in winter.

The fluttery cap sleeve is most annoying – not flattering and not layerable.

I would also appreciate a bit of sleeve in cocktail wear – Imogen is so right on that. And dresses!

By: Robyn

Robyn — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:54:58 +0000

I like cap sleeves and short sleeves because I look so much better with a sleeve than not. If I don’t have a sleeve of some sort I appear to have no shape at all. I have a thick waist and narrow hips so a sleeve gives the illusion that I am not tubular.

There is a market for all sorts of sleeve lengths, but I agree there needs to be a range available to suit the multitude of body types that humans come in.

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:17:10 +0000

Thanks, Becky. I appreciate the heads up. Club Monaco (a Canadian chain) actually does sleeves long enough for my gorilla arms.

Carissa and Taylor, I believe anyone can wear AND look good in the right sleeveless top or dress. I am very pro sleeveless, but I’m not pro cap sleeves.

Another point about cap sleeves is that they *can* look juvenile. While this aspect is adorable when you’re younger, it’s not a great look when you are older despite slim, toned arms.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:59:04 +0000

I am also a long armed girl, and you lose sleeve length when you wear a small size. I cannot find long sleeved American garments with sleeves that are long enough.

Angie, I’ve occasionally had luck with slim-fitting button-down shirts from the Express having long enough sleeves. But that’s been about it. What I’ve been doing lately is just buying 3/4-sleeve button-down shirts and rolling the sleeves up to my elbows. Living in California, I can get away with that year-round. I don’t know what I’ll do when I move back to a colder climate!

By: Fran

Fran — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:36:12 +0000

Amen Amen

By: Taylor

Taylor — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:30:09 +0000

Carissa, are you saying unless one has toned arms to not wear sleeveless?

I agree women are fussy when it comes to showing arms, but in areas where it is so hot in summer it just isn’t practcal to not wear them..

Not to mention a huge segment of the population…like over 30, who do not have perfect arms , but will still wear sleevelss, or cap sleeve. The market, I think demands it.

As I said earlier, at AT the sleevless, cap sleeve and flutter sleeve all fly out the door this time of year.

By: Carissa

Carissa — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:55:27 +0000

I’m listening. And YTD we haven’t produced any unflattering sleeve lengths. We do have a sleeveless, but its main function is to go under a jacket as a camisole.

You are right Angie, and Kendall too. Her sentiment about sleeveless & caps from her first book is forever embedded in my psyche. No matter how slim the torso/hips/legs look, if one has an untoned, unclothed arm, that is what will draw people’s eye.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:51:25 +0000

Well, somebody is buying those flutter and cap sleeve tops..Maya and many, many others.,
They fly out of AT. so they do sell well. I guess it must be like the high heel mystery…If you aren’t buying it, wearing it..or it doesn’t work for you…then who does it appeal to??

Something for everyone

By: Maya

Maya — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:20:02 +0000

You are too kind Angie. Such lovely compliments. To be clear, much as I love these hard-to-wear sleeve styles, I still understand the need for more variety, so we are in agreement on that.

By: Imogen

Imogen — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:00:39 +0000

The whole lack of flattering sleeves on evening wear frustrates me the most. I have many clients who don’t wish to show off their upper arms, needing a nice cocktail frock, who can’t find anything that’s not sleeveless.