Ashamed to show my arms

I couldn’t care less what people think of me or my body! My very best friend is beautiful and always wears lovely clothes but she will never show her arms or legs because she is overweight. She will go swimming but only at very quiet times. Even on the hottest day her arms are covered but I am sure if she wore a sleeveless dress nobody would even stare. She has spent all her adult life like this which is very sad.

Slightly old thread, I know, but I'm feeling embarrassed about my crepey arms too now that the good weather is coming and it will be difficult to keep them covered. They seem to have got worse very quickly this winter but, at 73, I suppose it's normal. I'm slim built and go to the gym three times a week for weights/resistance exercises and do Pilates or a stretch class 3 times a week. The weights really tone up the muscles which is gratifying but don't do anything for the skin when the elasticity has gone. Same over the rest of the body - it doesn't matter how well toned the muscles are, if the skin has lost its elastin and collagen, you're stuck with old-looking arms/legs/tummy etc. Moisturising daily helps slightly but not a lot! If anyone knows any miracle creams that don't cost a bomb, please let me know!

DD has a badly scarred and damaged right forearm and hand. She has absolutely no concrens at all about the scars being seen.

Most importantly, generally nobody notices her scars. or just glance and move on. She is not embarrassed by them so no one else takes any notice of them either.

Stop worrying about such a minor imperfection and it you don't care, neither will anyone else.

Please do not feel ashamed of your arms. Your body does and has done amazing things for you. You have the right to dress comfortably.

Hi
We have surplus ensures, does anyone know where I can donate them, I tried the food banks but they said no.
They are all sealed.
Thanks
Junie

If the bats wings are really bad and really bother you, why not have plastic surgery and have them removed.

I have just started trying to do some arm excersisers whilst sat watching tv or whenever I remember. I shall try and take note and see if it makes any difference. My arms are not too bad as I work at a supermarket and whilst on the checkout I do lift a lot of stuff whilst scanning, potatoes, bottles, beer etc. So I do think that helps.

Hetty58 for all my joy thst I’m still here weeks from my 74 birthday, yes I prefer a sleeve unless it’s wonderfully hot weather, I’m gardening, dog walking etc. if it’s a more formal type thing I tend to a sleeve of some kind. Daft isn’t it

Iam64, of course, we don't have to hide them - and I don't care a fig what other people do or think.

Still, I do like to feel good about how I look, just for me and my own confidence. I've even sewn sleeves (from a t-shirt) into my favourite dress - to make it look like I've layered it over a top.

Madwoman11, yep, nearly 70, gave up sleeveless tops (except under things) about 5 years ago - and now, sadly, have given up the shortest of short sleeves. I suppose, soon, it'll be the elbow length stuff to go - leaving long sleeves only? Still, I wish I could avoid displaying the turkey neck so easily!

At a party recently, a lady in her eighties wore a vest-type top under a lacy, net-style long sleeved blouse - and looked really lovely. She said the 'wrinkly fabric' disguised her 'wrinkly arms' - so I'll keep that in mind!

My arms will be 74 years old soon. Why should the hide away

Oh my goodness they are truly awful

SachaMac

Witzend/IrishDancing….I notice people’s awful toes and toe nails in sandals too, one of my pet hates is horrible feet. I don’t know how chiropodists and podiatrists do it!!

SachaMac - I agree with you. This includes people in sandals with terrible hard skin on the bottom of their heels.

What do you think of these - eeewwwww

Not my feet - I hasten to add

Short sleeved tops are not very flattering, particularly if you have chubby arms and a sizeable bust! Three-quarter sleeves and especially lace fabrics are more forgiving.

I've a lovely collection of pretty loose long sleeve blouses and tops from charity shops, some designer names. Look no further...its no surprise to me that many cultures in very hot lands wear loose cover up clothing, its actually cooler.

Stuff it I say! You don’t like the look, avert your gaze . And it’s not like you’re frightening little children is it. Life’s for living. Particularly in our advanced years. As our dear Queen used to say: you live long enough you get old. Fact of life. And we’re not about to break anybody’s heart with our looks any more. As we well know. So, just loosen up (just as your birthday suit has already done - ha ha).

Same .. wish there were more long sleeve clothes to choose from..
Perhaps we should post any summer tops etc we find that are suitable..

I like you all for talking about it. I feel the same way.

For those who love a Kaftan and have a sewing machine they are the simplest garment to make, plus, no need to buy an expensive pattern there are loads of tutorials on YouTube.

I'm 72 , slightly overweight with crepey skin and flabby arms and legs.Do I like it? Of course not, but I have been snorkeling today in a bikini in Thailand and it was wonderful and I didn't care . I've learnt to accept there are some things we can't change and getting older is one of them.

I’m 75, have slight bat wings, and am covered with those horrid warty things. Do I care? Not a jot.
I do wear sleeveless and fairly low cut garments if hot but don’t expose too much cleavage or leg… never wear strapless clothes.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I was one of the three quarter length sleeve brigade but I am thinking of getting a cap sleeved dress for the summer. The older I get and the more decrepit, the less I seem to worry I suppose it becomes impossible to hide and is always going to go in one direction. Which is quite freeing. I still want to buy a dress I like and think is chic. Vivienne Westwood is my ideal of a woman who didn't try to hide her aging face and body and looked fantastic. I couldn't look like her of course. But if we didn't hide them away, older women's bodies would become normalized and more socially acceptable in general.

I call myself the incredible expanding and shrinking woman after dealing with thyroid issues!! But I have definitely seen a difference by regularly going to the gym. I do all the upper body weights and now - no flabby arms! It’s worth the discipline and I now enjoy going. It’s a bit of me time!

I understand your feelings mine have got horribly saggy and creased (bit like a deflated ballon goes) . I had a big weight gain on Cortico Steroids, then reduced it as dose was reduced, but my skin is now paper thin and I’d give a lizard a run for his money. BUT I have a perfect excuse for full coverage bacause my meds also make me more susceptible to skin cancer. If I want to wear a sleeveless dress I wear a pinafore type with thin long sleeved cotton turtle neck, and I’m looking ou for a silk layer for special occasions.