topic Re: Anything sleeveless in Fashion

Anything sleeveless

RubyinNE — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:15:54 GMT

I know it's my issue, but how do you get beyond the challenge of wearing anything that's sleeveless? In the spring and summer, there are so many cute tops and long dresses that I'd like to wear, but I'm self conscious about my upper arms. It's probably silly, I know. I've been even doing some weight training in hopes of going with the flow this summer.

What do you think? I want to be and feel comfortable this summer.

Re: Anything sleeveless

151949 — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:46:00 GMT

I have 2 white and one black shrug - always a ok idea - and there is always just throw a blouse over and leave it open. I have several camp shirts for this purpose. Blouses look more casual to me while a shrug - esp. a nice crochet one looks dressier. I wear a shrug when going somewhere like church. You can always throw on a denim jacket or a hoodie too if it is cool out but I find those to mostly be too hot.

Re: Anything sleeveless

151949 — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:48:55 GMT

Or you may chose to tone your arms up - pushups are very good for that. Many many many pushups, and bicep curl and ... oh heck - join a gym and hire one of the trainers.

Re: Anything sleeveless

RubyinNE — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:56:31 GMT

I have been going to a trainer.

Re: Anything sleeveless

Kachina624 — Tue, 10 May 2016 03:10:56 GMT

I think once you reach a certain age and your arms have gone a bit flabby, trying to tone them is like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Re: Anything sleeveless

TY — Tue, 10 May 2016 03:21:40 GMT

I have shrugs and summer weight denim jackets to wear over anything that is sleeveless and that includes tops with cap sleeves or short sleeves too. I am not fond of my upper arms either.

Re: Anything sleeveless

Sooner — Tue, 10 May 2016 04:02:26 GMT

Accept the idea that you aren't perfect and your arms aren't all you have to offer to friends, family and people you meet! Smile, be interested in others and kind and nobody will notice anything wrong with your arms. IF they do, they have the problem, not you!

Re: Anything sleeveless

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 10 May 2016 04:13:51 GMT

@RubyinNE wrote:
I know it's my issue, but how do you get beyond the challenge of wearing anything that's sleeveless? In the spring and summer, there are so many cute tops and long dresses that I'd like to wear, but I'm self conscious about my upper arms. It's probably silly, I know. I've been even doing some weight training in hopes of going with the flow this summer.
What do you think? I want to be and feel comfortable this summer.

@RubyinNE

In addition to exercising, get in the habit of wearing a light sweater over your shoulders to cover the critical area.

And there's always the trusty old "create a diversion" trick. Wear something that draws the eye away from your upper arms .... a bold statement necklace ..... chunky bangle bracelets ...... you get the idea.

Re: Anything sleeveless

Desertdi — Tue, 10 May 2016 07:37:02 GMT

I have to say, "Don't worry about it". I have a huge scar on my leg, and you can actually see the steel plate & nuts & bolts through the skin. Nobody has ever mentioned it...........(!!)

Re: Anything sleeveless

Iwantcoffee — Tue, 10 May 2016 10:41:50 GMT

I do not have the best looking arms, but I do not find sleeveless a good option. My skin burns in the sun and a light fabric with slevees is actually cooler than sun directly on skin.

Re: Anything sleeveless

winamac1 — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:15:08 GMT

My arms are not bad. I just don't like sleeveless very often. I much prefer 3/4 sleeves. I also freeze in grocery stores and shops in the summer and in the offices I call on as the air is turned down so low. I find that I need some form of a sleeve.

Only if I'm outside for awhile do I wear short sleeves or on rare occasion...sleeveless. I find few women look good in sleeveless.

Re: Anything sleeveless

Krimpette — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:18:29 GMT

I'm a senior citizen and I do like sleeveless, once in awhile. I figure that at my age, if someone doesn't like the look of my arms in sleeveless clothing, they can just look at something else that they find more acceptable to them. I'm going to wear what I want to wear.

Re: Anything sleeveless

Buckaroo2 — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:19:17 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Accept the idea that you aren't perfect and your arms aren't all you have to offer to friends, family and people you meet! Smile, be interested in others and kind and nobody will notice anything wrong with your arms. IF they do, they have the problem, not you!

Excellent! I love this answer!

Re: Anything sleeveless

151949 — Tue, 10 May 2016 12:08:19 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I think once you reach a certain age and your arms have gone a bit flabby, trying to tone them is like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

I know, right. I work out with weights and do pushups and I used to have Michelle Obama arms but not anymore, they are getting worse and worse.

Re: Anything sleeveless

birkin baby — Tue, 10 May 2016 12:37:20 GMT

@151949 wrote:
Or you may chose to tone your arms up - pushups are very good for that. Many many many pushups, and bicep curl and ... oh heck - join a gym and hire one of the trainers.

The OP said she was doing weight training. Many of us " choose to tone" our arms and the muscles get toned,but the looser skin could not give a flip about toning,LOL. Seriously, it is not always,as easy as that once age, and weight loss take their toll. Plus, not everyone can afford to join a gym,or hire a personal trainer. The question seemed more geared toward asking for help with a fashion situation to help hide an area not responding to toning. We all have those areas that make us self conscious .

Re: Anything sleeveless

vermint — Tue, 10 May 2016 12:51:09 GMT

I like an elbow sleeve lightweight cardigan for this reason. If the dress is a print, I'll try to find one in one of the colors of the print.

Re: Anything sleeveless

Ms X — Tue, 10 May 2016 12:55:17 GMT

Don't buy sleeveless shirts! They will only make you self-conscious, and you'll enjoy your day less as a result. Gauze, cotton lawn, and other light, airy fabrics are great for the hot weather. You can get tops with short or elbow length sleeves in these fabrics and wear a thin tank top under them. You'll look dressed for summer and feel cool without baring a part of your body you're self-consciouis about.

I personally don't like those flutter sleeves or the ones with the cut-outs on them, so I wouldn't recommend them, but others like those styles.

Just buy a short-sleeved shirt in a light, airy fabric and save the sleeveless tops for when you won't feel self-conscious wearing them. Good luck with your exercises! You will see results if you keep at it.

Re: Anything sleeveless

RubyinNE — Tue, 10 May 2016 13:30:37 GMT

Thank you all for your answers. I need to learn to get over this. I do wear shrugs, scarves and wraps. I'm working on my upper arms, but at my age, I'm not going to see grand results, but it is helping me to stay healthy. x

Re: Anything sleeveless

Sadiesadie — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:50:36 GMT

I do and have done for many years exercises for my upper arms...push ups, dips, free weights....and have some muscle but as someone said the skin cares not.

Some people have nice tight elasticity and even if they have large arms and don't exercise (I've known some) they still look great. I have mushy skin. When I flex or lift something heavy my muscle pops but when I relax, mush again.

I'm not concerned about what anyone else might think about my arms, I hate how they look. I cannot comfortably wear sleeveless. Won't go there.

I gravitate to elbow length or at least anything that covers my upper arm. Can't do short or cap sleeves either.

As others said, if you can find something lightweight (so it doesn't look like you're hiding) to throw over your dress or top that should do the trick for you.

You're in very good and large company of women who hate showing their upper arms.

Re: Anything sleeveless

Andreatoo — Tue, 10 May 2016 15:56:29 GMT

I'd like to tell you that people don't look at your upper arms but apparently those that obsess about their own do contrast and compare (in my experience).

It's not something I hone in on when I look at people; just not something I do.

I'm told I have 'nice' arms but I am now taking measures to keep them that way since sleeveless makes up the majority of my wardrobe!

I also wear plenty of v-necks even though I have keloids on my chest from double bypass surgery....

I guess the bottom line is that everyones' priorities are different...