Shirts with rollup sleeves and tabs

maggiemae

I've been doing some shopping lately at outlet stores and noticed a lot - did I say A Lot- of shirts with rollup sleeves with those button tabs. Since these are outlet stores and there were A Lot of these shirts, I started wondering if maybe these tabs things were - gasp - out of style? Now I know that a good seam-ripper or sharp pair of scissors can make the tabs vanish, so I got some new shirts. But should I make the tabs vanish? I don't really have any opinion on them, so I tend to decide shirt by shirt whether I like them not. But being as I'm almost 60 (argh), I don't want to unknowingly do a mom-jean thing. So what's the verdict on sleeve tabs?

12 years ago

Shopping

9 replies

Latest reply was from Peri

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't mind them a bit, especially on silky shirts, but like you, I go on a shirt by shirt basis. I think they "casualize" a shirt quite a lot so I would not want them on a dressy item. Also, for me they seem primarily a spring/ summer detail. They are not as comfortable to wear under a jacket.

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. I have quite a few shirts with them. Some I use, and some I wear without using the tabs -- it all depends on the shirt and what I'm doing with the rest of the outfit. I don't think they're passé. I would like to think they're classic, perhaps?

12 years ago

Anonymous

I don't think they're "out" either, but you're right, they are everywhere! My issue with them is that they often only look good in the rolled up position, and I like to be able to wear my sleeves down and buttoned and have a nice fitting cuff. The cuffs and sleeves on the tabbed shirts are usually much wider and bulkier than a regular tailored shirt, making them hard to layer under sweaters and some jackets. For a casual summer look (where you wouldn't be rolling down and buttoning the sleeves, I think they're fine.

12 years ago

shedev

Veteran

They are in all the stores near me so I think they are pretty current. They feel a little Boho to me.

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I don't really mind them, I usually wear a cardigan or a blazer overtop, though, so I'm not sure how I feel about them just being bare and stuck out there :p

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

The main problem for me is that I often want to roll the sleeve to a different spot, maybe lower, and then the tab thingy is exposed but not used.
Also, they are often for sleeves that don't like to stay rolled up--drapey fabrics.
I bought a denim shirt specifically lacking the tabs because I wanted more flexibility in sleeve-rolling.
So, I'm all over the map. Agree that sometimes I'd target such a shirt for specific season and wearing almost always tabbed, and it might not be as versatile as a regular sleeve that I'm in charge of.

12 years ago

maggiemae

Active Member

Thanks for the insight, everbody. I actually do like the look and since I tend to be a little more bohemian, it works for me but then again I also like high rise pants.

12 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I wore one today. I think on silky shirts it's kind of a must if you want to keep your sleeves rolled. I didn't feel out of style but who knows for sure.

12 years ago

Peri

Veteran

They better not "out"...I've just bought two and have one from last spring I love! In fact, they are the things I feel happiest in lately!

I do find them a bit of trouble...having to roll just right and then trying to keep them rolled. And wondering if the button looks silly if I decide not to roll. But the look itself is right down my casual arty classic style goal. I plan to keep wearing mine for awhile.

12 years ago

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