https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:04:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639508 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 09:41:34 +0000 harmonica 1639508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Late to the party. Just have to echo the others. Wear sleeveless with pride. Your arms look great So sweet of your DD to take the pics </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639395 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:47:11 +0000 unfrumped 1639395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have perfectly great arms! Wish I had your not-problem!<br />You should find "your" sleeveless tops. I'm not sold on this one. Cut and color make a difference in all tops. But your arms are not a problem. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639389 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:35:31 +0000 Brin 1639389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all so much -- I think I'm going to challenge myself to go sleeveless at least two days a week to start and build from there (there's definitely some shopping that will need to be done first though...!) &nbsp;I <u>love</u> that top from Banana Republic, Dashielle and Beth Ann, and hope I'll be able to track it down. &nbsp;My current strategy (though not always successful) is to wear solid-coloured trousers with a print or bright colour on top, so that top would be perfect...</p> <p>Well, I hope you all can tell that you have inspired and liberated me -- the incredible power of community! &nbsp;I will try before too long to post a few pictures of my adventures in sleeveless...and thank you again! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639254 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:19:13 +0000 Elizabeth P 1639254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What they all said.&nbsp; Your arms are FINE!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639245 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:39:03 +0000 Beth Ann 1639245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Be free! &nbsp;I think you'll love sleeveless tops. &nbsp;I am self-conscious about my larger arms, but I find sleeveless far more flattering than short sleeves! &nbsp;I do favor a scoop or v-neck, when I can find it, and I like a certain fit about the arm hole. &nbsp;I also wear my sleeveless tops under jackets and cardis all year long -- which makes them earn their keep!</p> <p>I have the same top as Dashielle, in another colorway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639225 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 16:06:26 +0000 Peri 1639225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We are all self conscious about something, but frankly, I never got the arm issue. They are just arms! It's not like showing major cleavage or leggings with no coverage...it just doesn't seem that body con to me to show arms. Are we worried sleeveless is just too risqué or are we just worried we aren't perfect enough?</p> <p>I'm wondering when this all started. Personally I don't remember a single reference to arms before the first Terminator movie when everyone went bonkers over "Sarah Connor's" (can't remember the actress!) mega-muscles. After that this major obsession with being "toned" took over...before that I don't even remember arms being part of any body discussion, and I think I'm old enough to remember that if they were. I was in my 20s when that movie came out, and before that I never gave one thought to arms...mine or anyone else's... as a plenty self conscious and body critical teenager. Does anyone else remember?</p> <p>Anyway, when temps hit the 90s and humid, I really don't care what any random person thinks about my arms. Sleeveless all the way. If someone think's I'm being too sexy, well that's just funny. If someone thinks I'm not perfect enough they can just look away.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639207 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 15:05:35 +0000 lyn67 1639207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally can relate, I hate my upper arms- but found that a diagonal sleeve is doing me more favors than any other &nbsp;short sleeve type (+ some &nbsp;skin showing in the neckline is a must, so now I love cowl necks, V's and lower round necklines, too). My profile pictie is one of the rare sleeveless (it has a cowl neck) dresses I love:-).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639163 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:46:56 +0000 Jeanie 1639163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gosh, your arms are lovely. &nbsp;I would definitely show them off! &nbsp; Mine are showing their age but I have been lifting weights and they are getting more toned so I might even try sleeveless this year! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639128 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:57:16 +0000 Anonymous 1639128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have lovely smooth arms Brin! Wear sleeveless tops and dresses and enjoy. I love what Runcarla said... &nbsp;"<i>use the space in your brain for other thoughts (good ones, please!)"...wise words</i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639127 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:55:38 +0000 Anonymous 1639127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brin, I'm chiming in again to second Ann's suggestion to try the Banana Republic top. I tried it on yesterday and it's a lovely fit: not too deep cut under the arms so no bra on show, and not too low cut in front. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639097 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 04:51:43 +0000 DonnaF 1639097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Look at you in Pic #2!&nbsp; Muscle definition!!!&nbsp; Of COURSE you can wear sleeveless!&nbsp; So in my crystal ball I predict that soon you will be lamenting about the many manufacturers who cut the armholes so large that you can see half your bra and from one armhole to the other as you lean over.</p> <p>Before Angie, I, too, avoided wearing sleeveless items for years.&nbsp; Now I run so cold (had warm flashes vs. hot flashes) that they're generally not warm enough for me.&nbsp; Then, I finally figured out that I could always pop a jacket on top, especially the ones that are tight on my heavy arms.&nbsp; Doh!</p> <p>And I'm hoping that the upper arms don't ONLY get worse!&nbsp; Last October I started to lift free weights in the hopes of getting Michele Obama arms.&nbsp; That may never happen, but I'm stronger and will look better if I'm ever held up, as that is the only time where you can see any muscle definition. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help/page/2#post-1639095 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 04:30:57 +0000 rachylou 1639095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Uh...I think you have good arms and I actually like this top True, I don't know your shape under it or how long it is and all that, but I like it and I like you in it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639086 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 04:04:43 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1639086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your epiphanies here--wear sleeveless tops and enjoy them now, and go for a better fit! Your arms looks great, truly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639082 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 03:55:56 +0000 dashielle (Ann) 1639082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm back to plug an awesome top I just bought from Banana Republic because I'd love to see you in some color, possibly a pattern. I don't know you well enough to know your palette, but I find that a nice print can break up (what I feel) is a too heavy chest/shoulder/arm relative to the rest of me.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639071 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 03:19:20 +0000 Anonymous 1639071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to avoid anything sleeveless, but Angie and Fabbers have convinced me that my arms look fine and I am almost 70. I have one cold shoulder woven "tee" with elbow length sleeves which is a perfect way to cover arms and stay cool. Otherwise I wear sleeveless items and am cooler. My arms are not those of a teenager but good enough and I am not hot and crabby. You have the right to bare arms. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639060 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 02:36:40 +0000 Jaime 1639060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your arms look great. Wear sunscreen to keep them that way and you are good to go! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639013 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:16:31 +0000 Brooklyn 1639013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your arms look good to me! Sleeveless will give you a lot more style options in the warmer weather. I actually wear sleeveless sometimes in cooler weather too because I run very hot and under my arms is the first place I will feel uncomfortable if over heating. So there is comfort to consider too. I say go for it! Of course, as others have said you should try different styles. The neckline will make a difference to how flattering the top is on you and how good you feel in it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639011 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:03:58 +0000 Anonymous 1639011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with your assessment of the top, Brin. The fault is absolutely with the top, not your arms. The inspiration tops that you posted just above would be better. But, even in the top in your pic, if I saw you on the street, I would *never* think, 'she shouldn't wear that.' Lisa's right--we notice things about ourselves others just don't see. I see what Sally does: lovely, smooth skin, you lucky girl. </p> <p>I have a concern, too, about showing my upper arms because my Mum's generation had a rule that it's not 'age appropriate' for a woman of my years. My arms are scrawny with extremely flappy 'wings'. I feel self-conscious about it, but when I posted a pic recently, others said they were fine. So I say experiment with tops that fit, heed Aquamarine's wise advice about sun protection, and enjoy the summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639010 Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:03:34 +0000 Brin 1639010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>shiny - I like the challenge you gave yourself of wearing sleeveless all through the summer. &nbsp;Maybe I should try to follow your example, if I can build enough wardrobe (though I may have extra time for that -- it is currently snowing here in Toronto...)</p> <p>Runcarla - I also like the challenge you are giving me. &nbsp;I will try to clear the nasty clinging cobwebs out of that space in my brain and use it for better things, as you suggest. &nbsp;I think that the forum community has been doing a fabulous spring-cleaning already -- &nbsp;I am feeling so much better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639004 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 23:52:01 +0000 Carla 1639004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely, positively wear sleeveless tops, and forget all your hangups about your upper arms and use the space in your brain for other thoughts (good ones, please!). There is absolutely nothing 'wrong' with your arms, and everything right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639003 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 23:51:53 +0000 Anonymous 1639003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look fabulous and I love the top on you. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639002 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 23:50:35 +0000 shiny 1639002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your arms are fine!</p> <p>I totally get this. I never wore sleeveless for years, back in my teens, 20s and 30s, back when I was 20-30 lbs lighter and that very much includes my arms! </p> <p>Then Angie made me realize that -- arms aside -- sleeveless works really well for someone like me who's a busty IT with strong shoulder line, in fact, can work better than a short sleeve. </p> <p>My shoulder line is strong but I'm soft and squishy, i.e., barely any definition, even at my thinnest. &nbsp;Sleeveless brings the eye in, makes shoulders seem narrower. The next challenge was finding sleeveless tops that fit well and provided the right underarm coverage, etc.&nbsp;</p> <p>I look back on my younger days and could just cry that I didn't wear sleeveless back then!! And now I'm 50... I've got saggy elbow skin and my arms are squishier than ever and all that... but I'm not going back.</p> <p>It helped me back then to challenge myself to wear sleeveless all summer long. That got me over the mental issues, and helped me readjust my mind's eye.&nbsp;</p> <p>I do like elbow length sleeves as well, but when it's hot, it's too hot for that.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1639000 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 23:18:05 +0000 Sal 1639000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would go somewhere with a wide variety of tops and try on several different ones. &nbsp;I know what I like on me (open neck but not too low, and sleeves either quite short or quite long). &nbsp;However I do break this rule sometimes - I wear a turtleneck in winter for example and have some high scoop necks that look fine (to me).&nbsp;</p> <p>We are our own worst critics! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1638998 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 22:55:53 +0000 Brin 1638998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Speaking of being inspired by sleeveless garments... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1638997 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 22:53:33 +0000 Brin 1638997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I see what you mean, Kiwigal/Sally. &nbsp;I like sleeves that are just above the elbow, or 3/4 length. &nbsp;I've always avoided cap sleeves, probably because of my fear of sleevelessness. &nbsp;They're just so small! Though hopefully I will start trying on some of them as I get more inspired by sleeveless garments... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1638988 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 22:24:28 +0000 Anonymous 1638988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The way I decide these things now is to put on an outfit I'm planning to wear, and take a picture of myself.&nbsp; That's the only way I can tell if something looks the way I want it to.&nbsp; The mirror just doesn't do the trick.&nbsp; Your daughter seems to be a fine photographer, so team up with her and try on some sleeveless looks to see what works.&nbsp; I'm not a sleeveless person any more, I just don't like the way it looks on me.&nbsp; Comparing myself with Michelle Obama hasn't helped one bit, lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1638987 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 22:18:25 +0000 JAileen 1638987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think your arms look fine. I'm probably 20 years older (my son is in his late 20s) and I wear sleeveless tops. Do I look like a super model or weight lifter? Of course not. But in the height of summer it regularly gets up around 100. If people don't like the appearance of my arms, they can look away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1638983 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 22:10:33 +0000 Momo 1638983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes.! Show them!<br /> I am amazed at how often people tell me they hate their arms when they are perfectly lovely! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1638981 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 22:05:43 +0000 Anonymous 1638981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Confidence is everything - and detracts from anything you think other people might be noticing, which they usually aren't:) &nbsp;You can absolutely wear sleeveless tops and your arms look perfectly fine to me. &nbsp;And, &nbsp;if you are at all concerned about them, working out with free weights and some good body lotion will go a long way to stopping aging in it's tracks &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sleeveless-help#post-1638979 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 21:48:29 +0000 Sal 1638979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Go for it!! &nbsp;Your arms are smooth, you lucky thing!</p> <p>I don't have thin arms - I find sleeveless or slightly cap sleeves better than short sleeves. &nbsp;</p> <p>I will add a few finds to show you want I mean. </p> <p>Just looking at the sleeves, I would think 1, -5 would all work on me whereas 6 and 7 would not. &nbsp;Because the sleeve length is the same height as the bust I find it unflattering (ETA - on me, on a different frame these sleeves can work well). &nbsp;</p> <p>If I want more coverage I then go to long or three quarter sleeve.</p>