14 Life-Changing Wardrobe Essentials If You Don't Love Showing Your Arms
by The Candidly Team
First off, we are not about to hone in hatefully on any part of our body. Most women look at themselves from a vicious enough lens as it is… a lens that also happens to be about as accurate as a fun-house mirror.
In general, offering wardrobe-related “solutions” to any form of self-loathing kind of inherently goes against everything we believe in.
But here’s the thing.
We’re also real people with real bodies. We know what it’s like to not be in love with our legs in certain pairs of shorts or to prefer things that fit smoothly over our stomachs. We like finding (incredibly attractive) pants that slink over our butts and dresses that skim (rather than cling to) our bellies. We’re drawn to clothes that feel AND look very good on all the eclectic parts of our specific bodies.
So while we’ll continue to do our best to accept and appreciate every living, breathing aspect of ourselves, can’t we also love our clothes? Especially the ones that flatter every curve. Every batwing. Every wonky elbow. Every untoned tricep. Yes, my friends, I am talking about our arms.
And here are the most glorious things you can wear if you like wearing things that flatter those very arms. To. No. End.
1. This Luxe Cashmere Sweater
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Batwing Sweater
In addition to having a wildly low price for literal cashmere, this sweater has the chicest fit. We love it over lounge-at-home leggings. Or for weekend outings with any denim. But it also dresses up stunningly, especially when it’s softening up a pair of our favorite leather pants. Basically, we’re having trouble finding a reason to ever take it off. And to not buy it in every color it comes in.
Price: $80
2. This 3/4 Length Tee
Everlane The Pima Micro-Rib Scoop-Neck Tee
If there is one thing you take from this arm-obsessed article, let it be this: 3/4 is the most flattering length sleeve on any tee on any shape arm, but especially those with curves. That, combined with the ideal scoop neck and precise ribbing, might make this the most flattering fitted tee of all time. There’s a reason we included this shirt in the 5 things from Everlane that changed our damn lives. You can even see our own editor-in-chief modeling its superpowers HERE.
Price: $40
3. This Roomy Wrap Sweater
One of the best tricks for de-frumping a loose-sleeve sweater is adding a wildly flattering v-neck. This sweater has such a stunning neckline that draws the eye to the loveliest focal point. But probably our favorite thing about it is its sleeve, which drapes beautifully and has juuuust the right amount of airiness (so there’s zero bulk or “puffy shirt” vibes). Wear it with pretty much any pair of jeans, and you’re golden for looking easily chic.
Price: $88
4. This Puff Sleeve Dress
Hill House The Louisa Nap Dress
This nap dress has been making a name for itself all over town, but usually with a cute little cap sleeve that reads summer. Yet, this marvelous version has the most flattering puff sleeve that hits right at the elbow, so we get to feel light, airy, and romantic while still having a bit of coverage.
Price: $150
5. This Oversized Denim Shirt
Good American Boyfriend Denim Shirt
An oversized denim button-down is arguably one of the easiest, most versatile things you can have on hand to elevate your whole look. It flatters our top half in much the same way a favorite pair of jeans flatters our bottom. It just has that casual way of making us look put-together. Plus, we can wear it inside without feeling overheated or overdressed. The spacious sleeves and relaxed fit on this one look amazing with a fitted tank or bodysuit peaking out from underneath.
Price: $99
6. This Balloon Sleeve Sweater
Cuyana Alpaca Wool Cropped Cardigan
We know this one is on the pricier side, but I don’t think we’ve ever been more in love with a balloon sleeve than we are with the one on this heavenly soft and very smart Cuyana sweater. Just look at the way the sleeve goes in at the bottom. Or how it drops at the shoulder. It might be the single most flattering cut on any cardigan we’ve seen.
Price: $248
7. This Drop Shoulder Tee
Everlane The Organic Cotton Slouchy V-Neck
Everlane has sort of mastered the well-fitting boxy tee, and it’s in no small part because of its sleeve. It has a drop shoulder and is actually long enough to fit comfortably over our arms, all while keeping the perfect slouchy shape. And if v-neck isn’t your thing, they also make THIS classic crew with the same extra roomy sleeve.
Price: $30
8. This Spacious Button Down
Free People We The Free Happy Hour Solid Poplin Top
We love a button-down but not when it means we can barely lift our arms or move our shoulders without feeling awful tightness and restriction. Both the drop-shoulder and fit of this button-down are blessedly oversized, but it still has that chic, effortless look we always want. It runs up to XL, but luckily it is so roomy, if anything, we recommend sizing down. It works as an airy outer layer or solo, tucked or untucked.
Price: $98
9. This Chic Faux Leather Jacket
By Anthropologie Faux Leather Moto Jacket
This leather jacket happens to have achieved the perfect, edgy shape we love without either adding annoying bulk or being so tight and constricting we want to cry. Instead, this sleeve fits seamlessly over our arms. It comes in plus and petite and two other colors, one deeply unexpected.
Price: $98
10. This Draped Shoulder Dress
Is it just us or does it feel like 90% of cute dresses nowadays have either a flimsy spaghetti strap or a sleeveless style that leaves us reaching for a thousand forms of shapeless outerwear to keep us warm and cover our arms? Either that or they have waaaay too much coverage up top that makes us feel a little like Laura Ingalls Wilder. This dress is incredibly special, because it shows a glowy hint of skin before cascading into a gorgeous relaxed fit. The puffed sleeve cinches just before our hands to create the ultimate elegant shape. Plus, it has the perfect amount of slouch in the waist that all gets balanced by a fitted bottom. Brilliance! We almost don’t care that it’s made of the softest, stretchiest, silkiest material that feels like pajamas. Almost.
Note: If you like the idea of wearing it off-shoulder we recommend THIS strapless bra.
Price: $95
11. This Flawless Cardigan
Universal Standard Better-Than-Wool Cardigan™
It’s not easy to find a relaxed fit, oversized sweater that feels cozy and chic without adding a lot of extra volume to our whole look. Which is why we’re very keen on this soft-as-cashmere wool cardigan. It’s spacious, yet slimming over our arms. The material is warm, but also light and lovely. Wear it over anything or, for a mildly brilliant option, you can button it up and tuck it in as seen in the second photo HERE. Sooo cute, no?
Price: $128
12. This Boxy, Drop Sleeve Button Down
We love an easy, flattering piece that makes us look tailored and together, while feeling like we’re lounging in a tee. This boxy button-down is drapey, drop sleeved, and breathable. It skims our arms without making us seem like we’re wearing a shapeless sack. Buy it in bone, and you will have a chic staple suitable for practically any activity on any given day of your life.
Price: $70
13. This Cozy Shrug
This one is sentimental for us and clearly the most unusual thing on our list. And yet, isn’t a shrug somehow the most timeless thing you can think of? It defies trends. In fact, it’s one of 11 “untrendy” things we bought this winter. And this one, with its spacious sleeves looks sooooo good on everyone. Throw it on for extra warmth over an outfit you don’t want to hide under an enormous sweater. Or wrap it up into a cozy scarf, because it does that, too. Why not?
Price: $120
14. This Perfect Jean Jacket
Universal Standard Kelsey Denim Jacket
We deeply enjoy when we get to say this, because it’s rare and exciting, but THIS is the best jean jacket you will own. The relaxed fit. The roomy sleeve. It’s not too heavy, yet it’s structured. It’s layerable. It comes in Universal Standard’s dream size range. Go HERE if you want to hear us drone on and on even more about all the many things we love about it. Or just go buy one, because you will wear it all the time.
Price: $138
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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