by Maria K.

Created on: June 11, 2009   Last Updated: June 18, 2009

Like saddlebags, flabby upper arms are the band of women alone. Unless a man is truly obese, his arms are much better defined than those of a women. To add to the challenge, a woman need not even be overweight to have an upper arm issue. More so, speaking from personal experience, a woman can be athletic and be perfectly capable of doing forty push ups without breaking a sweat, and still fail to achieve that perfect definition flaunted by Jennifer Aniston and Madonna. Well then, most of us cannot afford five hours a day with a personal trainer carrying out an exercise program designed for us, but that does not mean that we cannot look elegant and refined - big arms and all.

SLEEVES

The first step to disguising larger upper arms is picking the right sleeve. Anything tight, clingly and in second-skin fabric is out. So is anything too delicate (like spaghetti straps) because it would make your arms look enormous by comparison. Forego t-shirts with tight cap sleeves in favor of short sleeve tops with fluttery "butterfly" sleeves that hit you around the top third of your upper arm - just under the bicep.

Three-quarter sleeves are your friends, as long as the fabric is not so thin as to cling to and exaggerate every bit of jiggle. Sleeves like that zero in on the most refined portion of your arm - the lower half of the forearm and the delicate wrist, thus distracting from the heftier upper arm.

Tops and dresses in soft fluttery fabrics with bell sleeves and fluted sleeves are definitely in, especially when combined with small fabric patterns. The small pattern obscures where you end and your sleeve begins, so who is to know? And those beautiful old-fashioned sleeves still showcase your lovely feminine wrists.

NECKLINE

Just because you have to cover up your arms, does not mean that you must dress like a nun from a very strict order. Large upper arms can be further disguised by choosing the right neckline.

The jury is still out on whether women with large upper arms should wear strapless. So many of us with the upper arm problem happen to have lovely shoulders and want to show them off. If you decide to go strapless - choose very carefully. It has to be perfect. If there is any hint of pinching, extra skin pushing out, or any indication that you might spend the evening tugging your dress up - leave it.

Opt for a low-cut off-shoulder style with loose sleeves instead. This would allow you to show off your beautiful back and shoulders and that stunning cleavage.

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