As you age, your skin loses some elasticity, which means you might suffer from arms that look less than toned. Similarly, weight gain, pregnancy and other factors can cause your arms to look saggy or flabby, which can be embarrassing for some people. To make your arms appear slimmer, team clever camouflage dressing with your regular arm exercise routine to simultaneously tone and hide arms so they appear slimmer. Dress smart now and continue to tone your arms through exercise so you feel comfortable baring them later.
Step 1
Invest in shirts that have a three-quarter length sleeve. If you're self-conscious about your arms, you may find that short sleeves and cap sleeves only seem to highlight the problem. Three-quarter length sleeves give a more casual feeling than full-length, but you'll camouflage your less-tan-toned arms at the same time. Ensure that your sleeves end at least 2 inches before or after your elbow for the most slimming look.
Step 2
Wear flutter or lettuce sleeves if you must wear short sleeve shirts. Shirts with tight short sleeves can make your arms look rounder or cause unfortunate bulging under the sleeve. A flutter sleeve, which is loose and often scalloped, gives the illusion of smaller arms since the sleeves are more voluminous.
Step 3
Roll your dress shirts up to the elbow to create volume at the cuff. "Cosmopolitan" magazine suggests having a seamstress sew a pretty piece of fabric on the underside of your cuffs that is revealed when you roll. As you roll your sleeves, you'll notice that the extra width lower on your arm makes both your upper arm look slim, and your forearm and wrists look smaller. Look specifically for dress shirts and button down blouses that can be rolled.
Step 4
Wear your outfits with large statement necklaces to draw the eye away from your arms. Look for longer necklaces that create a "V" effect across your chest, which can help your entire upper body look longer and slimmer. Or, wear your shorter sleeved shirts with large cuff bracelets with beads and baubles to make your arms look slimmer while drawing the eye toward your wrists.
Step 5
Focus your attention on your arms when you hit the gym so that your arms can gradually become slimmer, instead of just looking so. "Canadian Living" magazine suggests a concentrated bicep curl for slimmer arms without bulking up. Use smaller weights, tuck your elbows close to your body and complete slow and controlled bicep curls. To work your core simultaneously, try balancing on one foot. Arm exercises are the only way to truly slim your arms.
Things You'll Need
- Dumbbells
