Concealing upper arms: wide sleeves conceal thick or flabby upper arms.

How to conceal thick upper arms

Thick upper arms are not just a problem for curvy women. Especially in summer, when sleeveless and strapless tops are in season, many women prefer to hide their upper arms. This apparent “problem zone” is usually not as noticeable to others as it is to you. Here are a few simple tricks to help you conceal large upper arms so that you can still feel comfortable in summery, airy outfits or festive dresses.

Woman wearing a top with wide sleeves: how to conceal big upper arms.

Concealing upper arms: Finding the right fit
Styling tips for thick upper arms
Concealing thick upper arms: Dos and Don'ts

How to conceal large upper arms: finding the right fit

Whether you are looking for the right top or dress, there are a few things to consider when it comes to the cut and fit of clothes that look good on people with thick upper arms. You don't always have to cover your upper arms to hide the supposed problem area. Often it is enough to draw attention to other assets of your figure – just as with thick thighs, wide hips or a large bust, it helps, for example, if you emphasise your waist. If you have slender wrists, choose sleeves that accentuate this slimmer part of your arm. These little tricks will instantly make your large upper arms less noticeable.

More general tips to consider if you have large upper arms:

Sleeve shape: Avoid very tight sleeves or cuffs. Not only are they uncomfortable to wear,
they can also look unflattering.
Long sleeves: Long sleeves can make your arms look longer and slimmer.
3/4 sleeves: These sleeves loosely cover most of your upper arms and show off your slender wrists.
Wide straps: Sleeveless tops are not a no-go if you have large upper arms. After all, very tight sleeves are often more conspicuous than none at all – and you don't want to have to sweat in the summer just to hide your upper arms. Look for tops with wide straps that sit loosely on your shoulders. This will make your proportions look more even.

Tip: A well-fitting bra can also help create a smoother silhouette around the underarm area. If the bra doesn’t fit properly or is too small, it may cause unwanted bulges around the underarm area.

Layering look: jackets and blouses can conceal thick upper arms.

Fashion tips for fuller upper arms

Many women with different body types feel insecure about their upper arms – whether they feel they are too full, too thin, too soft or too muscular. Don't let these insecurities hold you back: The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in your own body, despite your perceived problem areas, and that you don't shy away from fashion trends. You should never feel pressured to hide in shapeless clothes, although it can often be a relief to cover up certain parts of your body: Simply show off your assets and let the little imperfections disappear.

There's no need to ditch sleeveless tops and dresses altogether: Instead, go for the layering look and combine tops and (festive) dresses with chic bolero jackets or cardigans.

Tip 1: Wide sleeves conceal fuller upper arms

Tops, blouses and dresses with wide sleeves are the be-all and end-all when it comes to styling large upper arms. You don't have to give up short-sleeved tops and dresses, especially in the summer: Just make sure the cuff doesn't end at the widest part of your upper arm. Loose cuts flatter your arms. But avoid puffy sleeves or flounces that end at the widest part of your upper arm and add volume.

Woman in a colourful dress: dresses with wide sleeves can conceal large upper arms.

Tip 2: Flattering cuts for thick upper arms

Use playful cuts to conceal your upper arms. Batwing sleeves, which do not draw attention to your upper arms, and trumpet sleeves, which can play around the slimmer parts of your arm, are particularly good.

Off-the-shoulder necklines can also be very beneficial: They can cover your upper arms, while still showing a little skin. With a jacket or blazer, you can emphasise your shoulders and balance your proportions.

Wide sleeves and semi-transparent fabrics can conceal thick upper arms in summer.

Tip 3: Sheer fabrics or lace

Tops and dresses with wide sleeves made of sheer fabrics or delicate lace are perfect for airy summer looks. As long as the sleeves aren't too tight, you don't need to cover your whole arm. Lightweight fabrics that fall loosely around the arm look feminine and are still comfortable. They can also provide some relief in warmer temperatures if you are uncomfortable with sleeveless tops.

Large and colourful patterns on the sleeves, such as flowers, large dots or wide stripes, will accentuate your upper arms. If you choose a pattern, try to keep it simple or use darker colours on the sleeves.

Fashion for curvy women

How to conceal fuller upper arms: Dos and Don'ts

Dos:

Wide sleeves are comfortable and conceal fuller upper arms.
Three-quarter sleeves draw the eye to slender wrists.
Long, loose sleeves make the arms look longer.
Sheer fabrics drape around the arms without completely covering them.

Don'ts:

Tight-fitting (long) sleeves emphasise the upper arm even more.
Sleeves that end at the widest part of the upper arm have a constricting effect.
Sleeves with elasticated cuffs, puff sleeves, ruffles and flounces on the upper arm are unflattering.
Eye-catching patterns on the arm draw attention to fuller upper arms.

Conclusion: Conceal large upper arms with a few simple tricks

If you want to conceal your upper arms, it can be done quickly and easily with a few fashion tips. Wide sleeves and loose cuts that skim over your upper arms and draw attention to other parts of your body (such as your wrists, shoulders or waist) create a very flattering look. Boleros and cardigans can be worn with any outfit. But don't feel condemned to wearing long-sleeved shirts or jackets on hot summer days – feel free to wear sleeveless tops. Wide straps sit comfortably and do not accentuate your arms.

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