Murphy's Law & closet clean out q#1: short sleeves

So, just as I have announced that I am coming back to YLF a couple of days ago, the most annoying thing happened: my laptop died! It looks to be the graphic card, which is integrated with mother board (not fixable), so I need a new machine. Now that will have to wait for a couple of months as I am currently committing all my financial resources to a very pricey dental procedure I am borrowing an old laptop from a friend at the moment, but that seriously limits what I can do as it can not save much (e.g. pics). So my come back won't be quite complete for a while.

Anyway, in a true YLF way, I have done a huge closet clean out last weekend. More than half of my wardrobe is 4 or more years old, which is enough time for a lot of things to not look quite right. So in addition to typical worn out and ill-fitting reject categories, I have a huge pile of clothes that I need decide on based on dated-or-not criterion. ( I tend to be pretty early adapter of trends). There will be a series of questions from me on this topic.

The first one: I suddenly have a big desire to get rid of almost everything with true short sleeves ( sleeveless or elbow-length and anything longer look fine). This is especially true for puffy and cap sleeves, particularly in woven garments. The knits look slightly better. Does anyone else feel this way or have I gone a bit insane? This is not a matter of flattery - these types of sleeves look just fine, they just seem kind of off stylistically. I am keeping a few puffy sleeve items that are otherwise favorites to have the sleeves removed, but can not really do that for all the items in question.

13 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

Sorry about your computer issues!

I've been considering the same thing about short sleeves but probably for different reasons. My IT shoulders seem way too prominent with short sleeves to high light them. I'm interested in what others say about them stylistically.

DonnaF

I haven't seen puffy sleeves for quite awhile, but I HAVE seen some cap sleeves. It may depend upon how the cap is done.

Tina.b

I hope that you will be back up and running very soon Tanya! As for the puffy and cap sleeves, ugh they are my complete nemesis! I need to banish them from my life completely given my broad shoulders and kind of chunky arms. I was lured by a pretty pink cap sleeved top with a Peter Pan collar the other week. I almost gasped when I saw how dreadful I looked in the fitting room. Some people can pull them off amazingly well. I however am not one of those people, LOL.

Anonymous

I have purged short sleeves from my closet except for a few casual tees for working out. I had an epiphany that they did me no favors for many reasons..emphasized broad shoulders, showed off crepey elbows, often too twee. That's been a couple of years ago and I don't miss them at all. Sleeve removal may be tricky depending on how deep they are.

jenanded

GL with the technology and teeth...

Interesting, I was thinking the other day that the world is not inundated with pencil skirts and puffy sleeved woven shirts... you might be onto something there... oh the fickle winds of fashion. I get v scared to watch re-runs of tv shows that I think are not that old - boy oh boy that really highlights how fashion has subtly changed... I do think i have thrown a few things out on that basis AND when comedy shows use the styles AARRRGGGHHH. how does a girl keep up with it all!

Aziraphale

I kind of have a poison eye for puffy sleeves anyway, so I'm with you there. If you're an early adopter and you feel they are passé, then I guess you're done with them. Purge away. (Are they passé? That I don't know. I don't see a lot of people walking around with puffy sleeves these days, so they probably are).

ETA is the fact that an item is dated or not the only criterion for purging? Or are there other criteria?

Caro in Oz

I usually purge because I don't feel great wearing the particular item any more this can be due to it feeling dated but it is usually more to do with me moving on.

Angie's post is still relevant particularly the point about whether something aligns with your style goals.

http://youlookfab.com/2010/10/.....-is-dated/

Suz

(website)

If you don't feel great about them, that's all the reason you need to get rid of them! Unless you find them extremely useful in some circumstances, in which case you might want to hang onto a couple.

Hope you are back and running soon!

Janet

I have had a similar thing happen with sleeves over the last year or so. All of my even slightly puffed sleeves have gone. Depending on the style, some of my cap sleeves remain. I tend to gravitate toward either sleeveless or near elbow length. The midpoint short sleeve is incredibly unflattering on me.

As Angie pointed out to me once, what feels fine to one person may feel dated for your style. If it no longer makes you feel fab, out it goes!

Lisa

I have also found I am turned off to puffy and capped sleeves. They don't layer easily (you always see bulges) and I do a lot of layering. Sorry to hear about the computer.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Glad you could borrow a computer. Such rotten luck that yours died

Yup. Pass that look on, Tanya. You are also 4 years older. Fashion and your style preferences have changed.

Glory

I agree to pass those items on. @angie - I like the idea of what you said being 4 years older and styles change. I feel that gives me some permission to purge items that still have lots of wear but are no longer loved.

biscuitsmom

I totally agree with the purging. If you arent happy wearing them (for whatever reason) they should move on and b found by someone else who will be

Diana

So I do like puffy and short cap sleeves, since it's a very good look for my shoulder shape. I know this is not a very popular opinion these days. However, if you're not feeling it, I think you should ditch them - after all, it's you who has to wear your clothes, not me.

Tanya

Thank you all very much for such wise input!
I have decided to purge pretty much everything with puffy short sleeves other than two dresses I really like and hope to have the sleeves removed. As for the regular short sleeves, I will be keeping only a small percentage - like fun layering graphic tees etc.

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