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Style & beauty

Bare arms -yay or nay?

(58 Posts)
gettingonabit Sat 08-Apr-17 10:29:00

Over the past year I've managed to lose some weight. It's only about a stone and a bit, but I'm gradually feeling a little more confident about putting previously-hidden bits of myself on display again.

I've also been doing some weight training. I'm a little more toned all over my body, but I have been noticing the difference in my arms particularly. There is much less bingo-wingeage now.

I'm slimmish, with straight shoulders. I'm not used to seeing myself with bare arms unless in sports wear. So-should I?

And another thing-I was brought up with the notion that you NEVER went bare-armed in the office. Is this still the case?

Thoughts, o wise, stylish ones?

starbird Sat 08-Apr-17 10:35:52

Congratulations for getting your body in trim, I imagine it feels good. I personally don't like bare arms on men or women, unless they are young and have very smooth skin.

MawBroon Sat 08-Apr-17 10:37:48

If Michelle Obama could get away with it - why not? Only you can be the judge
envyenvyenvy
PS congratulations!!

whitewave Sat 08-Apr-17 10:39:11

I am all for people doing what they want. Want bare arms? Go for it. Want covered arms? Go for it. It is only a human body after all, which comes in all shapes sizes and ages. Anyway who notices? And if they do and are judgemental, how sad is that?

Ana Sat 08-Apr-17 10:41:35

It's rarely warm enough for me to venture out with bare arms, but I've never heard the rule about no bare arms in the office. I expect you'd take a jacket or cardi anyway just in case...

rosesarered Sat 08-Apr-17 10:43:29

I have Summer dresses ( sleeveless) and a few tops that I like, so yes,I often am 'bare armed' and why not? For the office though, I agree and would cover up a bit.

whitewave Sat 08-Apr-17 10:44:17

Bare arms in the office grin that's the least of it these days. The young always seem intent on wearing the least they can get away with. Wonder if it will ever swing back?

rosesarered Sat 08-Apr-17 10:54:08

Depends on the office, and your role within it.My DD wears a long sleeved shirt ( arrives in a jacket) is in charge of a team of people, and always looks professional, but the office has a formal atmosphere anyway.

nina1959 Sat 08-Apr-17 10:56:09

The more flesh we show the bigger we look. That's why women wearing spagetti straps, vests, sleeveless tops, etc, always look bigger in photos.
Otherwise, you should just be happy with how you are.

PRINTMISS Sat 08-Apr-17 11:25:19

I think if you feel comfortable with what you wear, then wear what you like. For me, unfortunately, my ankles are now really boney and I do not like to have them uncovered, but if the weather is fine then I forget about them and wear something short in the leg and try to forget. Big feet don't help. What sort of vision have I conjured up?

shysal Sat 08-Apr-17 11:27:56

That applies to me nina1959. When it is really hot I don't care, but I do sometimes buy lightweight long sleeved tops and shorten the sleeves to just above the elbow, in which I feel happier.

rosesarered Sat 08-Apr-17 11:33:48

PRINTMISS grin

paddyann Sat 08-Apr-17 11:46:31

I generally buy three quarter sleeves in dresses and tops ,really dont want my bingo wings on show to the world

nina1959 Sat 08-Apr-17 12:34:17

Shysal, I work in the industry. Sleeve lengths are a big issue. The best option if you want to go sleeveless, and really it doesn't matter if you're on the beach or just chilling out, is to wear tops in darker colours with a broader shoulder cut. Darker colours slim down the body frame, paler colours expand it. This goes for tops with or without sleeves. You'll always look a lot bigger in a pale coloured top.
If you're going to a wedding or some event and photos are going to be taken, it's best to wear a 3/4 sleeve at least.

LadyGracie Sat 08-Apr-17 15:27:49

I wear sleeveless dresses with a short sleeve little cardie, I'm very conscious of my upper arms being a little 'loose', I also make sure the dress covers my knees even when I was skinny I had fat knees.

ninathenana Sat 08-Apr-17 16:15:56

I don't care, no amount of sleeve is going to make me look slimmer grin
I wear sleeveless if it's warm enough. Never spaghetti straps though.

ginny Sat 08-Apr-17 16:21:05

I wonder why we Women worry so much about what others think about our clothes if you are clean and comfy and feel good. Blow what others think.

gettingonabit Sat 08-Apr-17 16:24:06

Thanks all. I'm no Michelle Ob but I like to think my upper body has more tone than it did.

Anything goes in my office - including sleeveless- but I've only seen one person baring arms. She looks great-she's tiny and younger than me.

My current look is short jackets and skinny jeans/trousers. I used to go braless for comfort but I'm back in bras again so better shaped. No way would I go braless and sleevelessshock.

I hope I'm not getting carried away with my new-found body confidence though!

BlueBelle Sat 08-Apr-17 18:04:48

I dress for. The weather and warm days it's sleeveless
As for offices before I retired we had youngsters wearing shorts one girls used to put fluffy pink slippers on under the desk so definitely depends on the office

annodomini Sat 08-Apr-17 18:24:45

Good for you, gettingonabit. I'm in the same boat, except not toned at all. I don't like the look of my bingo wings so don't see why I should inflict that vision on others. In recent years M&S has done a good line in teeshirts with almost elbow-length sleeves of which I bought and wore several. Most of them are a bit past it now, so I need to go shopping again. I have bought a pair of jeans in a size 14 which I haven't had for years. Unfortunately, my behind is smaller than my waist at the moment and I have great difficulty keeping jeans and trousers from falling down. Not an impressive sight.Today being sunny I have resorted to a denim skirt which, though I say it, looks pretty good. It might be my 'summer uniform' this year!

MawBroon Sat 08-Apr-17 18:29:35

Well said ginny!!

NfkDumpling Sat 08-Apr-17 18:39:10

I can't really see what I look like, but I'm very aware that other people can and I don't want to inflict my cellulite'd legs and flabby bat wings on the world. So I'm with Joan Collins on this one. Long floaty sleeves with wide legs trousers or three quarter sleeved tee shirts with skinny denims holding all in. I do occasionally flaunt myself in cut off trousers when it's sandal weather - but not often.

LadyGracie Sat 08-Apr-17 18:52:54

I think it's a case of wearing what you're comfortable with, I don't like my loose upper arms and fat knees so I keep them to myself.

Anniebach Sat 08-Apr-17 19:17:20

I am reminded of my great aunt Jinny, - the older you get the less flesh you display !

Do what makes you feel good about yourself gettingonabit

cornergran Sat 08-Apr-17 20:08:05

Exactly so, if you feel good in something then go ahead and wear it. As long as it doesn't get you arrested. grin.