Not everyone is happy to stroll around in a camisole all summer, especially those who feel self-conscious about their arms.
The good news is that choosing the right sleeve length and cut can make all the difference in helping people feel good about themselves.
German personal stylist Silke Gerloff has five tips:
- Emphasise the lower arms
Bell and trumpet sleeves are wider at the bottom, so they draw attention to the lower arms. “This makes the upper arms appear smaller,” says Gerloff — a plus for those looking to minimise biceps.
Sleeves with embellishments and details at the bottom can have the same effect, while batwing sleeves — which are loose around the upper arms and taper towards the wrist — can also distract from upper arms. - Choose the right size
Those with big upper arms should wear “fabrics that are wide and flowing but not too delicate,” Gerloff recommends. Short sleeves should never be so tight that they cut into your arms, and in most cases a straight-cut short sleeve is better than a diagonal one. - Use colour
Colour contrasts can work to your advantage. If your sleeves are a darker colour than the rest of your top — for example, a red shirt with black sleeves — this will draw attention away from the arms and instead towards your torso. Vertical stripes are a good option too. - Go half-and-half
You don’t need to cover your whole arms — three-quarter-length sleeves can also be a good option. Try out some different lengths in front of the mirror to see which works best — above or below the elbow. Just be careful with sleeves cut above the elbow, as they can look a bit like you’ve rolled them up to get stuck into something.
Depending on the weather, a cardigan or jacket is also a solution. - Create volume
Those who are self-conscious about having skinny arms should look to add volume to the upper arms. Short ruffle sleeves or long puff sleeves will help achieve this, as will embellishments such as bows on the upper arm. “Be careful with puff sleeves though, as they can easily look very girly,” Gerloff warns. – dpa
