M&S - cover up for arms

Cover up or not it's a personal choice, but I think rizlett is right. Loose upper arm flesh is what aging looks like, unless you want to spend every waking hour in the gym that is. Why do we use derogatory terms such as "bingo wings" or "bat wings"? How well we age physically has a huge genetic component, and I like Helen's friend's comment it's because you're alive love.

Went to a wedding recently with a sleeveless dress and jacket that thought would never leave my back. However in 30 degree heat, I became much less inhibited!

Slightly off topic here but it's been mentioned a couple of times. Veiny lower arms. I had problems with these about 10 years ago, but for some reason they have disappeared now. Anyway, I was in the company of a close male friend, and looking at my arms I commented sadly, "I have these huge veins". He looked and replied, "I'ts because you are alive love". That stuck in my head and from then on I was ok with them!

I had to deliver the eulogy at a funeral on a very hot day - far too hot for the jacket I intended wearing. I found an open work crochet top in Monsoon to go over my linen dress, that was appropriate but not stifling.

Forgot to say they are only about £5-99 each with no postage, not for going out dressed up, but good for every day wear

I hate my upper arms, and they are very fleshy, compared to te rest of me, i also have veiny lower arms which i hate
I have bought a couple of "boyfriend" cardigans from Amazon, they are thin enough not to be too warm, and dont wrap right around you ,but enough to keep a chilly wind off your back,and cover your arms,
I dont do it for anyone else either, but for myself i feel better arms covered

lilihu, I feel as you do. I don't like the look of my upper arms which is why I welcome the availability of elbow Length t-shirts. It's not a matter of 'dressing my age'. I like to wear a variety of colours and styles - even in winter .

Well the cover up arrived and I have to day I was disappointed. The fabric is off white, but shiny. It looks rather cheap and i think it is probably the same as the edging on a dressing gown that I have. It's a good idea, for those who want something like this, but I don't think they have quite pulled it off.

Hopefull - I like to cover my upper arms to please ME!
Sometimes I like to feel I look my best, I don’t like the way my arms look in some dresses so covering is MY choice.
Sorry about the emphasis, but I feel strongly that those of us who really don’t want to expose certain parts of our body should be able to without censure.
It’s nice to see an alternative - sitting wrapped in a pashmina or shawl or cardigan isn’t always appropriate.

Me too knspol - I have decided to wear sleeveless tops, in spite of my fat bingo arms. I think I actually look better with sleeveless tops, rather than short sleeved.

It feels good, and I now don't care what others think.

Ageism is the last accepted ‘ism’ it seems to me. Just watched a so-called comedy show where jokes aimed at elderly people, particularly those in care homes, is apparently hilarious. No wonder we feel obliged to hide or fix the entirely natural changes that come with age. It’s one of the reasons I have decided to embrace the grey hair. It’s my political statement! And such a relief not to spend a fortune on hiding a process that is natural. It also looks better! Well I think so.

With the heat this summer I have given up on trying to hide batwings and have just gone sleeveless - feels great, prevents silly tan lines and as my DH points out, who is going to look at me anyway?

Why oh why? I would not waste my money. If it is hot wear less, no one should feel they have to cover up just to please.... who?

Annodomini I love those elbow length M & S Tee shirts too. They were reduced in last year’s sale so I got them in a variety of colours. The Woolovers cardi sounds lovely too as synthetic fabrics make me hot. I will check it out.

I agree with Rizlet

I agree! I don't cover my arms unless I'm cold. It's fine for your body to age.

I have very prominent veins on the lower part of my arms...had them since my teens...like Madonna.

I bought lace long sleeved boleros from EBay about £5 each. They came from China, in all colours, are really lovely and so much cheaper than M & S. They are light enough to wear under tops and dresses.

I think adding lacy sleeves or a bolero top with lace sleeves may be all right in a very few instances, but is not to my taste.
Surely choosing the righttop or dress is more important.
And if sleeveless is really the only option, a wrap or pashmina or even a stole (remember those?) is the way forward.

Muslim wear sells 'sleeves' they are to wear with short sleeved dresses or tops to cover the arms.

Thanks Telly for posting about this. I’ve seen some lovely dresses that I would never buy because they’re sleeveless. These might make me reconsider.

I bought one of these several months ago and find it useful as I dislike the tops of my arms. It’s not good for very hot weather though as it gives an extra layer.

Mary Portas designed one of these a few years back. Good idea, but hers was a bit pricy!

My thoughts exactly rizlett. I wear what's appropriate in the weather and if someone doesn't like what they see then they have my permission to avert their eyes.

How will younger people know that bingo wings are a natural part of ageing if we keep them covered up?

<runs and hides>

It's still another layer which is too hot in the weather we've had recently. I've got a couple of lacey cover ups to put on top of sleeveless dresses but have had to give up and just let the flesh hang low Might be useful in cooler climes though. I've got a couple of longer sleeved tees in cotton which are really nice but again been too hot to wear them. I'm sure I never used to suffer so much with the heat when I was younger!!