ITs...T shirts that aren't cap sleeve? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

ITs...T shirts that aren't cap sleeve?

Peri

Veteran

My fellow ITs, please let me know if you've found flattering T shirts that aren't cap sleeved!

I know we are supposed to be able to wear the kind of cap sleeves that run on a diagonal, but I can't say that always works for me, and they are hard to find I think. Often I think they are so short the diagonal doesn't make any difference.

Currently I'm majorly in search of 3/4 sleeves, but short sleeve weather is on the horizon. I'm hoping for some short sleeves that are not too short, and definitely not cap.

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Aquamarine

catgirl

Veteran

This is the bane of my existence and why I don't wear t-shirts. I think cap sleeves are a no go for ITs. Every now and then I will find an Alternative Apparel one at the consignment store. And this Splendid one is in my cart but is so pricey!

http://m.piperlime.gap.com/pro.....1850220001

Greyscale

Veteran

I'm a sort of narrow IT, but my shoulders and arms are big relative to the rest of me. I think cap sleeves look awful on me. I came across this tee with 9" sleeves to just above the elbow:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRWBIG4/
but I haven't tried it in person. Often the sleeves on that style are too tight to look flattering.

My current favorite tees:

http://www.uniqlo.com/us/store.....t/086836-5
I keep spamming the forum about these. They might be too cap-sleeved for some arms but they have so much room in the bust and they drape wonderfully. The sleeves are much more fitted on me than on the model.

http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=455617002
and these Gap essential tees. I find that the roomy sleeves are more flattering than fitted sleeves, unintuitively. Maybe they create the illusion of slim arms in contrast? I have the scoopneck or pocket V neck - both of which are out of stock, but they do still have the no-pocket V neck. The crew neck is too high for me and makes my shoulders seem wider. The V is quite deep, though, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

catgirl

Veteran

How low is the neckline on the Uniqlo t? I am cleavage phobic and that is often an issue for me but I am really tempted!

Greyscale

Veteran

I can post a photo of me in it some time in the next few days.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have several tees that are almost like muscle tees, in that the sleeve sort of just slopes off the shoulder, but isn't a true sleeve. Not sure that's good for IT's or not, but they are AG, BeBe, and Old Navy respectively.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

catgirl

Veteran

Mo, that style is gorgeous on you but horrid on me. Here's a pic of my favorite grey t from American Apparel. I found it at consignment store and would love to duplicate it.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....vs-zombies

Greyscale

Veteran

For me, that style is particularly hard because my shoulders are too bulky for them to slope off. Instead, the sleeve-ish part just gets sort of stuck awkwardly. But I think if I sized up a lot they could look great as long as the torso was drapey and didn't look too huge.

Greyscale

Veteran

Aha! Una, I found some photos of the Uniqlo tee that I took in a fitting room last week. Awful photos - I had to brighten them a lot for any detail to show up - but they give a sense of it. Perhaps I should size up to a small. You'll note that the sleeves are fitted on me, not loose like on the super-slim model.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

catgirl

Veteran

Exactly! On me they just look like little wings.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh those are good. I like a fitted but not tight sleeve and one that is a real sleeve. Thanks so much. I think I'd be a small - def not XS!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

ah, makes sense. It is sooo hard to think from other body types' perspective sometimes! What I think might work is antithesis. lol
I was surprised to find myself looking IT in a particular top after seeing the pic. I liked it!! Felt like I looked strong

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Gracie

Veteran

No specific recs but as an IT I just love the longish sleeves tees, almost to the elbow, like the first one Grayscale linked. I think they look a bit polished and very feminine. I wear cap-sleeve tees only for working out.

Greyscale

Veteran

You do look strong! I see why you like it.

abc

Veteran

Not an IT but I'm sensitive about my upper arms so I am so thankful for this thread. I have a very hard time to find the sleeve length I'm after so this is super helpful!

Peri

Veteran

Thanks...keep them coming! I'm really looking for some that are not as plain T shirt as these. Cute tops made of T shirt type material I guess.

Una...I really like the cut of that Splendid one you linked. I guess for a T shirt it is pricey, but not for a top in general. If it only came in some bright pretty colors I'd be on that one.

Greyscale...ditto...I'd really go for the Amazon one with the 9" sleeves if it came in colors. And I agree with you on the looser sleeves. Angie says no flutter sleeves but the one flutter sleeve top I have had was one of my most flattering. Maybe it was the exception, because those are really hard to find.

Mo...ditto the others! That style is not for an IT.

Thanks ladies!

April

Veteran

I'm a fan of these: http://www.landsend.com/produc.....-t-shirt/i

qfbrenda

Veteran

I've decided to try to stick to elbow-length tee shirts. They look SO much better on me than regular short-sleeved versions. Those always seem to make me look like a shrunken football player.

I like those that April linked comfort-wise, but they have become loungewear for me. It's the football player thing again.

The last elbow-length tees I bought I found at Nordstrom.

kellygirl

Veteran

Perfect timing for this post. I was perusing the site while waiting for DD's at the mall. I nipped into in Uniglo and found the short sleeve tees and an elbow length tunic tee which I think are perfect for IT's.

catgirl

Veteran

Ooh Kelly how was the sizing?

kellygirl

Veteran

Una, I bought medium. They are plenty roomy. I bet you would be a small. Large was way too big. The neckline is good too--not too deep. I can lean over and not worry about flashing my flat chest!

catgirl

Veteran

Oh yay! Thank you. Can't wait to see you post a pic. Off to order.

Marmee

Veteran

I would be cautious about the Splendid T. I've had really mixed results with Splendid. I have a tank and leggings (from the Splendid store) which have lasted through many washings without any pilling. However, I bought a 3/4 sleeve button front t last fall that started pilling after one wearing. Also, one of my white Splendid Ts from last summer pilled fairly quickly. Perhaps it has something to do with the fabric content.

April

Veteran

Another thought -- here's a genius idea from stylist Kendall Farr. Just find your perfect tee in a long-sleeved style (much easier to find than the perfect length of a shorter sleeve) and have your tailor hem to sleeves to exactly the length you prefer.

That kind of job should be quite inexpensive since there's no lining to worry about.

I think we tend to reserve tailoring for "special" items but there is nothing like having an every-day, go-to item that fits exactly the way you want it to.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Mossimo (Target) had longer sleeves in a very soft BF modal tee. Not sure if it's currently in stock, but worth a look. And of course very affordable, being Target.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

shemarie

Great post, question and timing! Following with interest as my closet currently consists of virtually nothing but sleeveless or 3/4-sleeve shirts for precisely this reason. As a small-busted but very strong IT in a warm climate (already in the 80s), finding the perfect (or even semi-adequate) short-sleeved tees/tops is my biggest source of fashion frustration. It seems to me to be all about the drape/opening length & width/seam placement factors...an impossible trifecta. Every once in a great, great while, I find one that works in fit...but then, with my luck, it ends up being a one-off kids' sports team tee with an obnoxious logo or something suited to nowhere but the bleachers/stands. Off to search/study the recommendations above...thanks to all for the helpful links and info!

Aquamarine

Veteran

Lands End t shirts fit my IT shape perfectly. I have many in the more fitted style, I think...it's been a while since I restocked. No cap sleeves.