Wobbly arm coverage...

jenanded

I did it again! went into the city shopping w daughter yesterday and spied some woman in a mirror in my outfit and WOBBLY arms - ewww. Of course, its steaming hot and I had whipped out again in my summer outfits which I am attempting to work on with linen trousers and a better linen tshirt and a sandal. As many of you in the Nthn Hemisphere are heading into spring/summer, maybe someone has some ideas on being cool but covering up the arms...

13 years ago

Inspiration

9 replies

Latest reply was from Sylvie

missvee

Veteran

If you can lay your hands on some lightweight linen knits they are fantastic. I managed to get one short sleeved cardi last season and it was amazingly comfortable over sleeveless dresses. Mine was made by JP Evolution - I don't know if you have that label where you are. Anyway it washed beautifully and weighed nothing - I am going to try to get a couple more this season.

13 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I'm not crazy about my upper arms either, but am vowing to work on it.

In the meantime, I really appreciated Angie's recent blog post...suggesting that *now* is the time to buy easy/breezy/cool-ish tops (if you're in North America) that actually have sleeves before the onslaught of nothing but sleeveless:

http://youlookfab.com/2012/02/.....ered-tops/

It's a good idea, don't you think?

That said, I have noticed that certain sleeveless tops and dresses seem to work better for this problem - and these are the tops that have wider shoulder coverage. The other thing I've noticed is that super-short sleeves are actually worse than sleeveless tops in many cases. Long story short is that a sleeveless top that isn't a spaghetti strap type of top is actually a lot more flattering than a top with those cap sleeves that cut off the arm at it's most unflattering point.

Examples of sleeveless tops that look a whole lot better than you'd expect:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=1035

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/th.....tback=1925

If it's the height of summer where you are - don't despair - you really can wear sleeveless tops, despite feeling weird about arms. It's just a matter of choosing tops and blouses that have substantial shoulders and no sleeves, rather than tops that have teensy shoulder straps or tops that have super short sleeves that bisect upper arms at an unflattering point.

Don't give up on cooler tops - there *are* sleeveless tops that can work, it's just that you don't want something skimpy. You might be surprised to find that sleeveless tops can be quite flattering on less-than-perfect arms. Too-short sleeves (cap sleeves, those flutter-type sleeves) can sometimes be worse than something sleeveless.

Go ahead and try some sleeveless tops - just be sure to go for things that have decent shoulder coverage and not super-skimpy straps. You might actually find that some of these are quite flattering. I know it seems counterintuitive, but it's true.

Hang in there and here's hoping you find some summer tops that you feel great in *and* that help you keep cool.

13 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Velvety has some great input, Jen. We're the same age and my arms aren strong, but are, shall we say, generous? My ds said, "Mama you can hide your muscles." Bwahaha! I find that sleeveless with a wide shoulder is far better than cutting across the bicep. If your arms are "looser" but thin, you might find the short sleeve is flattering and gives some more coverage. In the States, we have a lot of 3/4 length and long sleeved sheer tunics and blouses this year. I'm snapping these up, The breeze moves through them so nicely -- far better than t shirts. I wear a simple cami underneath.

Be generous to yourself! Others aren't staring at your upper arms! They're enjoying your company!

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I agree with Beth Ann, I find a wide shoulder on a sleeveless top or dress is very flattering as it offers more coverage and balance. I also wear light elbow length cardigans when it's not too hot. But given how hot summer had been, I just decided to move past my worry about my upper arms and wear sleeveless dresses and hope people noticed my general fabness (thanks to YLF) rather than my upper arms

13 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Imogen had a blog that says the vertical line at shoulder is more flattering than the horizontal. Which explains to me why I hate with a passion the cap sleeve and have always gravitated to the tank top. The pix VC linked are perfect examples of the vertical!

13 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i've named my upper arms and i take them for walksies in the summer. i better enjoy them before they get worse.

agree with a wide strap tank with scoop neck to narrow said arms. also if the arm holes were more scooped rather than straight up and down, it shows more shoulder and similary lengthens the arm. here it's a balance with the side boob i have.

13 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

You are all hysterically funny and have such interesting ideas! I think I get some of this wider shoulder line thing happening but perhaps its the shock of still seeing the wobble in the store mirrors!!! Like anyone was distracted from my wilting hair and melted makeup anyhow!!!!

13 years ago

Anonymous

I've faced the jiggley upper arm problem and decided I've got to be cool and the best way to do that is to wear sleeveless. My arms were at their worst after losing 35 pounds but have since tightened up with exercise. However, I don't think anything can be done about old looking elbows except to keep them bent. You have had lots of good advice. I like tops of nylon mesh or silk tops with loose, elbow length sleeves. I hand wash and hang to dry. Both these fabrics breathe and don't get moist. I'm not finding nylon mesh this year, but there are lots of pretty silk tops with dolman, kimono, or batwing type sleeves.

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

I come from the camp of "own and love your arms" and don't think anyone should feel that they "have" to cover them up. That being said:

If you can get a shrug/shoulder cover that is literally a pair of sleeves plus a strip of fabric across your back, that's as lightweight as you can get in hot weather.

Also, I want to very strongly second that short sleeves can be the worst offenders for making arms look less than perfect. Wearing a sleeveless top lets you show off the beautiful curve of your shoulder which will distract from any minor jiggling of the upper arm. I really like a sleeve that ends just above the elbow as it makes the upper arm look streamlined and shows off the more delicate lower arm.

13 years ago

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