When you are uncomfortable baring your arms, shopping for clothes is like being gluten intolerant at a bakery; so many delicious options you can’t enjoy. With so many women who feel this way, I want to give you options and advice on what to wear to cover arms in summer.
There are a few ways to go about working with your shy arms that won’t make you sweat or compromise style for function and will also allow you to feel like you are enjoying the current trends. I chose options in both plus-size and missy because you don’t have to be a plus-size woman to feel uncomfortable baring your arms.
What to Wear to Cover Arms in Summer
Option #1- Cardigans
Cardigans for Arm Coverage by bridgetteraes featuring sleeveless tops
While the cardigan may seem like an obvious solution, I want to point out a few that I love and why I think they are great choices. First, you want to choose cardigans that are light, easy and breezy and offer coverage at the same time.
The cardigan on the left is by Coolibar. I chose it because it’s not only light, but the fabric is cooling and meant to be worn in the sun. Plus, all Coolibar clothing offers UPF50+ protection, which means you get arm coverage and sun coverage. The second cardigan is the popular Franny cardigan from Lee Lee’s Valise, a Brooklyn boutique that caters to sizes 10-28. The Franny comes in a rainbow of colors, is super light and the sleeve length is 3/4, perfect for summer. Lastly, for evening, I chose a sheer cardigan, by Adrianna Papell which offers coverage while still allowing you to show off your sleeveless or strapless dress underneath.
Option #2- Lace Sleeves
Sheer Sleeves by bridgetteraes featuring a lilac shirt
If you want to enjoy the ease of a summer tunic, but don’t want to bare your arms, choosing a style with sheer sleeves will give you the comfort of knowing you are getting moderate arms coverage while not feeling totally covered up. All styles available at ModCloth.com.
Option #3- Flutter Sleeves
Flutter Sleeve Coverage by bridgetteraes featuring vince camuto
A flutter sleeve is an easy way to get coverage and not feel restricted at the same time. This sleeve style will allow you to cover up what you’d rather not show while not being too warm. Left: Modcloth.com, Middle: Vince Camuto, and right: Lee Lee’s Valise.
Option #5- Cover the Arms, Show the Neckline
Sleeve Coverage with Open Necklines by bridgetteraes featuring see through tops
If you need to cover your arms, to find balance, show skin in other areas, like your neckline and clavicle. This is a great way to get coverage without feeling too covered. Left: Modcloth.com, Middle: CLUNY, and right: Modcloth.com.
Option #6- Sleeved Cocktail
Sleeved Cocktail Dresses by bridgetteraes featuring short cocktail dresses
Trying to find a cocktail dress with sleeves can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. However, I found a few that have a relaxed sleeve and where the sleeves don’t just look like they’re stuck on (like most sleeved cocktail dresses do), they look like they’re meant to be there. Left: Pisarro Nights (note the daring back; another way to show skin while covering the arms), middle: J.Crew, and right: Modcloth.com.
Option #7- Summer Tunics with Sleeves for Balmy Weather
Sleeved Tunics by bridgetteraes featuring ann taylor
When the weather gets really warm and wearing long sleeves is completely out of the question, there are tops that cover arms in summer. Left: Ann Taylor, Middle Left: Modcloth.com, Middle Right: Anthropologie, Right: Ann Taylor.
Option #8 Work Dresses
Work Dresses with Sleeves by bridgetteraes featuring womens plus dresses
Work is hardly the place to be baring a lot of skin, however, if you’ve been having a hard time finding work dresses with sleeves, here are a few to choose from. Left: J.Crew, Middle Left: Tahari, Middle: J. Crew, Middle Right: Foxcroft, Right: Modcloth.com.
To find clothing options for larger arms can be tricky and require a lot of digging. I hope that my suggestions on what to wear to cover arms in summer give you a few options to consider.
