Women's arms can often times be a cause for a traumatic shopping experience. Unlike members of the opposite sex, we women don't have the genetic luxury of natural definition in our arms. Even slender women can have problems with this area. If you are one of the many whose arms create difficulty and frustration when trying on clothes, dry your tears. There are many things that you can do to camouflage this area and bring your body into proper proportions.
First of all, what you want to do is create an illusion of a longer, leaner line. By bringing the focal point to your face, the narrow part of your waist and lengthening the leg line, you will draw the focus away from your arms. To slim and elongate your torso and arms, go for structured fabric, avoiding any kind of clingy, thin or synthetic fabrics. Avoid boxy styles as they add bulk. By drawing focus to the bottom half of your body, you will create the illusion of proportion as well as draw attention away from your problem area. This can be done by choosing colors for your bottom half that are lighter than the top. Even if you are going for the not-so-secret monochromatic look, which is always slimming, pick a shade or two lighter than what is on top.
When buying jackets, there are some things that will be beneficial for you to look for. Choose structured jackets that are cut so that the hem is right where your hips begin to curve out. This draws attention to the narrowest part of your torso-your waist. Single-breasted styles should always be chosen over double-breasted styles, which widen the body. Also, look for the stance (the height) of the top button to fall just below the bustline. Again, this draws attention to the narrow part of your torso. Vertical seams on the front of the jacket as well as long, thin lapels create a longer, more vertical line. However, lapel size should be relative to your overall body size. If you are built with a larger frame, do not choose lapels that are too thin, as they will give the illusion of a larger appearance. Avoid cropped jackets, piping, high necklines, shoulder pads and pockets, as all of these will add dimension horizontally.
Shirts and blouses follow much of the same guidelines as jackets. In general, the collar size should match should match your features. A large collar on somebody with delicate features can be overpowering. The shape of the collar should be opposite your face shape. For example, if your face in long and narrow, a rounded collar will make your face appear shorter. When choosing sleeves, long sleeves are flattering on anybody. Sleeves that taper to the wrist are the most slimming for arms. You will want to choose a fit in the arms that is narrow without being tight. For short sleeves, the sleeve should fall down the shoulder in a straight line, without flaring.
Something to look for in the cut of blouses that many women overlook is the size and placement of the armhole. High armholes flatter most body types. Large armholes blend in with the torso part of the garment, which eliminates the distinction between the end of the torso and beginning of the arms. This will create a horizontal line, which we don't want. This makes it difficult for those with large arms because the extra room of a large armhole is necessary to be able to move. Look for styles that create enough room to move, but avoid any excessive fullness. Finally, bust darts accentuate curves and narrow the waist and add support and structure. Choose fabrics that create a draped effect or those blended with Lycra for added structure. Avoid chunky knitwear, stretch denim and corded fabrics as these all add bulk.
There are some extra considerations for blouse styles to keep in mind for those with heavy arms. Long sleeves that flare below the elbow at balance to upper arms. By choosing a garment that has a very small 'puff' in the shoulder will aid in movement that is sometimes restricted with large arms and will also prevent the blouse from being too tight. Unlike with jackets, shoulder pads are an option with blouses, as they will add height to the torso.
There are also some specific sleeve styles that are very flattering to large arms. The first is a raglan sleeve. This is where the sleeve is cut in one piece and attached directly to the collar. It is connected by a seam that runs from the underarm diagonally to the collar. The second is a dolman sleeve. This is a sleeve that has a large armhole but a tight cuff. Finally a kimono sleeve, which is cut as part of the bodice, has a wide, sloping shape, and it is great to create ease of movement. Bearing this in mind, always avoid cap-sleeved tops, as this style is very difficult to pull off. Three-quarter length sleeves are great for all arm types and can be used as a more professional alternative to short sleeves. Wrap-style tops are also universally flattering on women because they draw attention to the waist and are typically cut with a v-neck.
The neckline of shirts and blouses is also a powerful tool in creating illusions in body lines. A v-neck is flattering on any body type, as it draws attention to the face and creates that sought-after vertical line. The longer your neck appears, the slimmer you will appear. Scoop necks are also universally flattering. However, avoid square cut necklines as they broaden the torso. Crew necks, which are probably the most common neckline can be flattering as well, if a couple of things are kept in mind. First, the crew neck is typical to t-shirt styles. Make sure to avoid t-shirts with logos imprinted across the chest. This draws attention to the widest part of the torso and breaks up the vertical line. If it is cut below the collarbone, your neck will appear longer, which equals leaner! Portrait collars, which are wide necklines with a collar that folds over and overlaps in the front, are also very flattering for large arms. As attention is drawn to the collar, the face becomes the focal point. Boat neck collars, which cut straight across the neck, should be avoided, as they are best suited for all-around delicate and small features.
When choosing jewelry, choose styles that are proportional to your frame. Long necklaces will create a vertical line. Jewelry worn on the arms should be large, as delicate jewelry will make your arms appear larger. Oval-shaped rings can also create length along the hands.
If you are having a hard time finding clothes that fit you, a tailor can work wonders. Make sure each item you buy, fits in the arms, and a tailor can take the rest in. Misses sizes typically have larger arms than juniors. If you make sure that the lines you choose are vertical and bring the focus to your face and waist, the illusion of smaller arms is inevitable. Good luck and happy shopping!