How should a blazer fit?

Miakate

I have super short arms and have problems with sleeves that are too long. How long should the arms of a blazer come down? To my wrist? To my knuckles? Somewhere in between?

Is it only okay to cuff sleeves on a blazer if they have a contrasting lining?

11 years ago

Dressing

6 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

carter

Veteran

I like mine to hit between my wrist and the first knuckle of my thumb, but that may be longer than others prefer. I agree that contrasting linings look better on a rolled cuff, but I can never get sleeves to stay scrunched, so I usually roll if I want a 3/4 sleeve.

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Yeah, I think first thumb knuckle is where it's supposed to land, but often this feels weird to me and drives me nuts. I don't mind my blouses and tops to be that long -- but blazers are a different story. Ultimately it is an "it depends" thing -- it depends a lot on the fabrication, and how I intend to wear it.

For example, I like having my long sleeve silk blouse cuffs peeking out of my blazers, so I might want those blazers shortened enough for that.

Cuffing blazers: I am adverse to cuffing blazers that don't have contrasting lining, simply because I'm petite and have a deeply ingrained sensitivity to looking like I am wearing clothes that don't fit.

I don't mind cuffing once and then pushing all the way up past elbow. I don't mind cuffing and then flipping blouse cuff over the jacket cuff, to make it look intentional. But those are temporary strategies until I can get to a tailor.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think the thumb knuckle is a great rule of thumb (ha ha) for outerwear. For jackets intended to be worn indoors I prefer a slightly shorter sleeve, myself -- to the wrist bone. I find it awkward to have the sleeves coming down over my hand when I'm working and am sensitive to sleeves looking too long, because it's an unflattering look on relatively short-legged me.

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I like mine all the way to my first thumb knuckle. I hate it when my wrists show even the tiniest bit, unless it's a true 3/4 sleeve (with a good portion of my forearm showing). I have poison eye for bracelet length sleeves on pretty much anything.

But it's really just about personal taste. I don't really think there's a hard and fast rule.

11 years ago

Miakate

Active Member

Wow! It seems like it's a lot based on personal preference. I'm glad I can get away with having my sleeves a little longer, but it does feel strange like they're going to get caught in something. I'm also sensitive because my legs are short. I need to look as long as I can!

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

There is some room for preference, but a too long sleeve can look really sloppy and spoil the line of a tailored garment really fast, in my opinion. Especially if it is also too wide.

11 years ago

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