10 Ways To Instantly Disguise Upper Arms

One of the most common concerns for midlife women is the appearance of their upper arms. Unless you are dedicated to working out regularly to tone this area, chances are you have experienced at least some degree of a flabby upper arm. Now that we are in the hottest part of summer, staying cool is a top priority…so what’s the solution? Here are 10 ways to instantly disguise upper arms so you can feel confident this summer, while beating the heat.

This is an updated post from a couple of years ago. I have updated all the links and some of the photos so you can shop similar looks.

Keep This In Mind

We all want to look our best, and I find it fascinating that the way we dress can have such an impact on how we look. The simplest style tips can work to your advantage, and I’m all for using these tips and tricks, but I want to remind all women to be kind to yourselves. As we age it will be more challenging to maintain our weight and overall fitness. Do the best that you can. Eat healthy, keep moving, and then give yourself some grace!

The Big Picture

The big picture goal in disguising upper arms is choosing the right top or more specifically the right sleeve. Summer clothes are all about staying cool, and when we were younger pretty much any style would work for us. Now we just need to be more thoughtful when we wear certain styles to make sure we are not drawing attention to the very thing we want to minimize. So, let’s get into the specifics.

Wear Elbow Length Tees

When trying to disguise upper arms, one of the worst things we can do is wear a t-shirt that has a form fitting sleeve that hits mid upper arm. This is most likely the fullest part of the arm, and having a sleeve stop there is like pointing to it.

Instead, wear an elbow length tee. That extra few inches of sleeve length will disguise the area without making you hot and uncomfortable. Try to avoid an elbow length tee that is too tight on the arm, but just skims the arm instead.

Wear Long Sleeves Rolled Up

A long sleeve top with sleeves rolled up looks very chic and is one of my favorite styles. Don’t put away your long sleeve tops for summer, instead wear them as a layering piece or alone with sleeves rolled to your preferred length!

This striped Amazon Essentials button down has been a top seller since 2021, and continues to stay in my personal wardrobe.

J.Crew Factory is my favorite place to find classic light weight sweaters. The green one from above is two years old, but this one is similar.

The photo below is a new purchase from Amazon this year…I love layering this green long sleeve top over sleeveless styles!

Wear 3/4 Length Sleeve

If you don’t like to fuss with rolling up your sleeves, a 3/4 length sleeve is another good way to disguise your upper arms. Here are some examples. Most of these tops are from Belk...the Crown & Ivy line and Wonderly brand have good options.

This floral smocked top is from Crown & Ivy and is so feminine. I linked this years version which comes in two colors.

Ruffle Or Crochet Detail

While on the subject of 3/4 length sleeves, having a ruffle or crochet detail at the end of a 3/4 length sleeve is also very flattering. Here are some examples:

I have this top in two colors. It also comes in some slightly different styles so click the link to see all the options.

If your arms are not your best feature consider showing off your shoulders instead. This off shoulder top has transparent sleeves and ruffle detail, and is lined in the center. It can be worn on or off the shoulder and comes in several colors.

Eyelet sleeves are another good option for staying cool while disguising upper arms.

Shear Sleeves

Another way to stay cool while disguising upper arms is to wear sheer long sleeves. This is another trend that is going strong, and no one will ever know that you are trying to minimize your arms. These styles can be dressed up or down.

Try A Kimono

A light and flowy kimono is the perfect way to disguise upper arms. They can be worn with shorts or pants, and even as a swim cover up. An Added benefit is that they can camouflage wider hips if this is a problem area.

Wide Voluminous Sleeves

Wearing wide and voluminous sleeves to disguise upper arms is easy when this style is so on trend right now. Use the trend to your advantage!

Light Cardigan Or Jacket

Light cardigans or jackets are great options to wear over a spaghetti strap or a sleeveless top/dress if you don’t want your arms exposed. Even in the summer, I usually take an extra to a restaurant or somewhere that has very cold air conditioning.

Don’t forget about blazers…there are many ways to wear them!

Choose A Flutter Sleeve vs. A Capped Sleeve

The capped sleeve is the most unforgiving cut for the upper arm area. Instead, reach for a flutter sleeve like the ones below.

Loft is known for their flutter sleeve style tops and dresses. This lavender floral is on clearance right now!

Cinch Your Waist

I’m always encouraging women to wear clothing that has a defined waist. You may be wondering what a cinched waist has to do with disguising upper arms. Well, the more space you can create between your waist and your arms, the smaller your arms will appear!

I’ve done an entire blog post on cinching your waist, you may want to read it here.

We’ve taken an extensive dive into 10 ways to instantly disguise upper arms. I hope you found a tip or two that will inspire you this summer!

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