Replies

1. 
   mem1 | May 30, 2005 07:04am | #1

   well it needs to cover the widest part of your arm and if you have a large bust it needs to be lower than the bust point . I LOVE 3/4sleeves They are very flattering and suit all types of garments . NEVER wear a cap sleeve unless you look like a twigg. Even then if the skin under your arms is starting to be a bit loose its not a great look.Puffed short sleeves should be banned on anyone over the age of 5 in my opinion.

   Basically dont have the sleeve stopping at a level at which you are wide . For some of us that will mean ankle length sleeves but well there must be sacrifice for the sake of beauty!

1. 
   jeanvand | May 30, 2005 07:09pm | #2

   Thank you!  I am very, very short-waisted and have very long legs--like a petite body on stilts!  It has been difficult to figure sleeve length.  I do use the three quarter length sleeves much of the time but in the summer I like a shorter length.  You gave great advice to not stop the length at the widest part.  I will use that as my guide.   

2. 
   liselaure | May 30, 2005 10:46pm | #3

   Hello Lissa,

   Marianne gave you great advice. As a personal image consultant, I would add a few things. When you are long-legged, short sleeves, even 3/4 ones, make your legs look even longer, thus long sleeves are definitely more flattering. But having lived in Southern Arizona, I know that sometimes the climate prevents you from obeying the rules. If it's your case, follow Marianne's advice, unless your arms are skinny (for skinny arms, it's better either to cover them or to have the sleeve stop at their widest part). If you are so short-waisted as you said, you're likely to have narrow hips and slim thighs. If I am right, you can counterbalance the effect of the short sleeves by drawing the attention to your lower half through prints, eye-catching details, lighter color, bracelets, long tops worn untucked, and so on.

   Hope this will help,

   Lise-Laure

1. 
   jeanvand | May 30, 2005 11:41pm | #4

   Hello Lise-Laure,

        What good ideas, thank you so much!  Your job must be so interesting.

        You are right about the slim hips and thighs.  My wardrobe consists mainly of over-blouses and slacks but I'm wanting to oblige my husband and start wearing skirts.  I'm also thinking this will give the illusion of legs more in proportion to the rest of the body. 

        Lissa   

1. 
   liselaure | Jun 01, 2005 06:32pm | #6

   Hello Lissa,

   Yes, slacks and over-blouses are especially flattering to women with narrow hips and long legs. But skirts can be becoming too if they are in the good styles: straight, so that they add no bulk at hip level (a flaring hemline such as in a trumpet skirt is OK), and rather long.

   Lise-Laure

2. 
   Teaf | Jun 03, 2005 01:11am | #7

   Thanks for this thread! I have the same short-waist, long-legs as you do and live in a climate with 100-degree-plus summers, where 3/4 sleeves are impossible. I found that short sleeves that end above the middle of my upper arm are the most comfortable and flattering; they provide decent coverage but don't add bulk to my very short torso. I also use a higher armhole for better mobility and a slightly smaller sleeve so that there's not so much fabric on top.

1. 
   jeanvand | Jun 05, 2005 02:50am | #8

   Getting feedback is so helpful. Thank you.

    

3. 
   wrenn | May 31, 2005 07:05pm | #5

   Nothing beats a good long look in the mirror.  Make a couple of simple, muslin sleeves without hems.  Wearing a sleeveless top, pin the sleeve cap to the top of the armhole, then adjust the length and see what looks best. 

   --Wrenn