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Style & beauty

Too long sleeves or too short arms...

(30 Posts)
Ariadne Sun 12-Jan-14 09:48:54

Does anyone else have a problem with sleeves, on jumpers and cardigans, and jackets too, that are far too long? I have just become fed up with trying to roll them up neatly! You can't cut most knitwear and do a proper shortening job, so I end up with thick rolls (no, not fat!) round my wrists. Trivial, I know, but so annoying. Any ideas?

Nelliemoser Sun 12-Jan-14 10:06:17

They are all too long! It's stupid fashion thing. Some seem to cover the hands. I am not very tall and when I knit I shorten the sleeves. Three quarter sleeves are my favourite. but not always available.

It doesn't help that I am short. My elbows just about reach the top pf the sink so when I am washing up the water usually drips back down my forearms.

Humbertbear Sun 12-Jan-14 10:33:48

All too long. I am tired of shortening jacket and dress sleeves. I try to buy 3/4 sleeve tops as they are preferable to turning the cuffs over.

ninathenana Sun 12-Jan-14 12:59:42

I thought it was because I need a larger size!!

I too go for 3/4 sleeves where possible. As I often find that no matter how carefully I roll back some sleeves they unroll and I end up pushing them up to elbow consequently stretching them angry

Elegran Sun 12-Jan-14 13:33:24

nina They do assume that because you need something a bit larger round the hips/bust you also need it longer in the sleeves/legs/hem.

I saw a very nice skirt in M&S, tailored grey A-line in a heavy enough material to hang well, and would have looked good with almost any style or couolur of top. The one at the front of the rack (a 10) was just the length I wanted. The one my size (a lot further back) would have reached my ankles. They did not get a sale.

POGS Sun 12-Jan-14 13:35:13

Another thread where I agree because as I keep saying I am an obese elf. smile

Galen Sun 12-Jan-14 14:27:26

I find sleeves too short. I think I must have orang a tang in my ancestry.

Ana Sun 12-Jan-14 14:32:07

Me too, Galen. I do hate having a couple of inches of skinny wrist on show when the sleeves are supposed to be full-length...hmm

Soutra Sun 12-Jan-14 14:32:16

hmm I wouldn't go putting that to the test Galen - remember that shoulder!

Galen Sun 12-Jan-14 14:38:04

hmm

Stansgran Sun 12-Jan-14 14:42:00

My arms are too long. I like three quarter sleeves so I just push the sleeves up. We used to get told off in school for that. Told we looked as though we were washer women!

annodomini Sun 12-Jan-14 15:06:15

Although I am not by any means tall, I do have quite long arms and seldom find any sleeves too long for me. I remember that washerwoman gibe from my schooldays!

FlicketyB Sun 12-Jan-14 16:26:16

In my youth, sleeves were always far too short and I never had shirts with buttoned cuffs because they would end up tearing the shirt along the shoulder seams. Now sleeves are far too long. I assumed it was because younger women seem to be taller than previous generations and sleeves have been lengthened as their arms are also longer.

rockgran Sun 12-Jan-14 16:59:33

Drives me mad - always having to shorten sleeves (and trousers) but I am short (and sadly wide). I try to buy 3/4 sleeves if possible. I have been known to cut knitwear and turn it back with stick on hemming. I hate the fashion for really long sleeves - I think it makes one look like Fagin.

Ariadne Sun 12-Jan-14 17:06:43

Hadn't thought of that, Rockgran! Will give it a go.

And also, even though I roll sleeves up carefully, they rapidly descend over my hands.

You can't win, can you? Arms too long, arms too short, ditto legs. I do jave surprisingly slim ankles and weists, and little feet. Will draw a curtain over the other bits. smile

sherish Sun 12-Jan-14 17:26:41

I am a size 20 and I am 5' 4". I find that tops are too long in the body.

As Elegran says becasue you're wider they think you are also taller. Not so as a rule I don't think. I am quite handy with a needle but only for trousers or skirts but for anything like t-shirts I end up taking them back. Only up to a size 14 would be the right length. Grrrr!

rosesarered Sun 12-Jan-14 18:03:21

Bless 'em all, bless 'em all, the long and the short and the tall,....etc!
I am also an obese elf POGS think there may be a lot of us about, should we write en masse to the retailers? So, yes, this is prob I know very well, and 3/4 sleeves are good, but sometimes you need the warmth of full sleeves. I am finding so few places now to buy clothes that I can afford [if M&S went, what would I do?]Suspect if wealthy you could find all sorts of lovely clothing that actually fits well. envy

absent Sun 12-Jan-14 18:45:20

As someone whose knuckles virtually brush the pavement when I walk, I wish sleeves were longer. Also I have a mirror problem to sherish's. Many manufacturers think that if you are tall, then you must be wide. Buying trousers and jeans can be a real pain in the a… I am 5 feet 9 inches and wear size 8 jeans – definitely not a Primark customer then.

Ana Sun 12-Jan-14 18:49:00

I'm only 5'7" and size 10/12 in jeans, but I still have problems getting them long enough, especially as I virtually always wear a smallish heel! DD has the same problem. Some of the jeans/trousers sold as 'long' are only 31/32".

GadaboutGran Sun 12-Jan-14 22:24:42

Many sleeves are far too long - I go round looking at other arms to see if it's me who is abnormal. Obviously not just me. Jackets & coats cause the greatest problem unless I can find a petite version in my size. It has been easier since I went down two sizes.

Nelliemoser Sun 12-Jan-14 23:02:51

I do wish people would stop saying I am only 5' 5" or 5'6" or 5'7" (and more) "Only" my short arse!
Your are big! Do you hear it big! If you are "only" 5" 6" you make me sound proportionately tiny. I am all of 5' 1"! Now do you hear that! I am little! You are not "only" 5'5" or 5' 6" or 5'7"! You are "lucky" to be all of 5'5" or 5' 6" or 5'7" .... Aarghh! envy angry wink grin

Gally Sun 12-Jan-14 23:06:11

There seems to be a trend for winter jumpers to have half or 3/4 sleeves. I can't see the point, unless one's arms are short. I like my sleeves to reach well past my wrists. I alway buy a size larger than required so my derrière is obscured from public view and the spare tyres are not being gripped by the material wink

Ana Mon 13-Jan-14 10:25:24

Sorry, Nelliemoser, but my post was in response to absent's bemoaning the lack of longer jeans for her 5'9" frame - I didn't mean to imply that I felt I was lacking in height at 5'7"! blush grin

rosesarered Mon 13-Jan-14 11:44:34

Nelliemoser ..... well said that woman! I am just about same height as you
[and probably POGS]Oh to be 6 inches taller and a size 12! I would never moan about anything ever again grin well, I might I suppose.

Ana Mon 13-Jan-14 11:59:48

I can give you a list of the things I don't like about my body if it would make you feel any better, you two! grin