Sleeve Length

What's so wrong about short sleeves? You never like them.


Consider the structure of your outfits. For most folks, the structural objective of an outfit is to create vertical lines, add height, and reduce width. Horizontal lines defeat this, and a horizontal line drawn across the upper arm, through the bosom, and over to the other arm is about the worst of the horizontal structures. Another would be the hem of a long gathered full skirt, drawing the line out from the widest part of the calf [shudder]. A short sleeve that is knit, and fits closely to the arm, especially at an angle (not straight across horizontally) may work, especially if there is not too much color contrast between the skin and the fabric. But crisp fabric, as in a button front, will defeat this. It's better to roll the fabric up to the most flattering part; usually to the forearm below the elbow, because that's a thin part and doesn't intersect with the widest part of the bosom, up by the midpart of the upper arm. BTW, men should also avoid short sleeve button front shirts, and roll the shirt to the elbow. The big sails that the short sleeves create (making the arm look spindly) don't do them any favors, either.