My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

For beauty and fashion style advice, join in our Style forum chat.

Style & Beauty

Why are so many things three quarter sleeved in winter?

70 replies

Mrsrudolphduvall · 18/12/2012 17:11

I know you can pop a cardi on, but sometimes it doesn't look right.
I feel the cold, and have a multitude of tops which are just sitting in my wardrobe.

OP posts:
Report
ElectricMonk · 18/12/2012 19:02

I like 3/4 sleeves - good for all seasons, don't get damp when I wash my hands, and don't get in the way or make me too hot. Could you get some nice "grown up" arm warmers to wear on days when you don't want to wear a cardigan, and coordinate them with your scarf/necklace/vest top (if layering) or something like that? :)

Report
dexter73 · 18/12/2012 19:12

I agree Mrsrd - I would rather wear full length sleeves as my arms get cold. If I need to wash my hands I just push my sleeves up!

Report
futterbingers · 18/12/2012 21:30

Agree totally, why make a jumper (surely an item designed to keep a person warm) and then only put 3/4 sleeves on it? Also, because I'm tall, I feel that sometimes I look as if my arms are unaturally long and gawky if the sleeves don't come down to my wrists.

Report
nailak · 18/12/2012 21:40

i agree, why have short sleeved jumpers?

Report
anniewoo · 18/12/2012 22:57

I agree-hate 3/4 length sleeves. If my wrists are cold so am i ! So many dresses have 3/4 length sleeves- what a pity.

Report
MrsRhettButler · 18/12/2012 22:58

ffs this really pisses me off, ive been looking at jumper dresses for the dd's and so many are short sleeved!

yanbu

Report
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/12/2012 23:10

I really like them - but I have short arms and nice wrists. :) I love wearing a shorter sleeved jumper over a long sleeved top, with the top peeping out.

Report
zipzap · 18/12/2012 23:11

Agreed. Pointless to have so many 3/4 sleeved winter things. It's bad enough the rest of the year but horrid in the winter when you find a lovely top and discover it's 3/4 length sleeves. arrrgghhh.

And it looks more and more stupid as the top gets warmer/thicker IYSWIM. Really, what is the point of having a really thick warm jumper or cardi and then it not covering up a significant chunk of arm, leaving it to get all cold!

I reckon it's a cost cutting conspiracy. Be dammed with what the customers actually want, if we only make 3/4 sleeves then they'll have to buy them and they can charge as much as for a full sleeved top but they don't have to spend as much money on the fabric (and I suspect save even more as it means they are able to fit the pattern onto the fabric even more economically)...

Report
TheWombat · 18/12/2012 23:17

I agree - so annoying! And often just look shrunken, rather than 3/4 length IYSWIM.
Don't you think it's the same with slightly cropped trousers? Cigarette pants, etc. They are everywhere and only look good with stiletto-y court shoes and no socks - totally unpractical for winter. Does anyone make them work with mum boots?

Report
Rooble · 18/12/2012 23:20

Not to mention 3/4 winter coats. What's the point of that (for anyone who lives in the north where it actually gets cold in the winter). Really daft

Report
CaseyShraeger · 18/12/2012 23:58

It saves on fabric, making the clothes cheaper to produce. And you don't need to worry about being precise with sleeve length if they aren't supposed to be full length, so again that makes manufacture cheaper.

Report
Mrsrudolphduvall · 19/12/2012 08:39

Yes I am very tall as well and my arms look like Mrs Snowman's.

I managed to find a long sleeved slim fitting long length jumper in Wallis yesterday ( dare I say tunic????) which I bought solely because it has sleeves.

OP posts:
Report
MadAboutHotChoc · 19/12/2012 08:48

A pet hate of mine too...I have skinny wrists so not a good look on me and also when you put a coat/jacket/cardy on top, the sleeves bunch up.

Report
DonaAna · 19/12/2012 08:54

Because I love 3/4 sleeves and always buy them. Flattering length, provide warmth but stay out of the way. Can be layered for more warmth.

But I hate cropped leg trousers (I look spidery in them) and object to 3/4 sleeves coats. You are supposed to pair them with longer gloves, but it's a look that doesn't really translate from runway to daily life.

Italian women seem to wear cigarette trousers this winter with narrow-cut ankle boots that stop precisely at where the trouser leg starts. Not classic mum boots, sleeker and a slightly higher heel, and very snugly fitting at ankle. Sometimes a contrasting color too.

Report
LittlePandaBear · 19/12/2012 08:56

I think they're meant to show off your wrists which are most people's skinniest bit, although agree that sometimes a full sleeve is more appropriate!

Report
BendyBobsBrusselsSprouts · 19/12/2012 08:56

I don't like them for winter clothes either.

A 3/4 sleeved coat would drive me nuts.

Report
wewereherefirst · 19/12/2012 09:29

3/4 sleeves make my arms look ridiculously long and they're never 3/4sleeved on me.

Long sleeves in winter, short in summer.

I always wore trousers that were slightly too short, but that was due to never finding ideal length trousers!

Report
RamblingRosa · 19/12/2012 11:36

I completely agree. This drives me crazy. Who wants to see my goosebumpy, pasty, skinny wrists in the winter? No one in their right mind. I also agree that the thicker the jumper, the weirder it looks. I once made the mistake of buying a lovely short sleeved cashmere polo neck. I never wear it simply because I'm always either too hot (cashmere right up to my chin) or freezing (bare arms) or both simultaneously.
It's nigh on impossible to get full length sleeves these days.

Report
threepiecesuite · 19/12/2012 11:38

Totally my pet hate too. Just what is the point? It's winter, I'm cold, I want full sleeves.

Report
RamblingRosa · 19/12/2012 11:40

I wish some buyers/manufacturers/designers would read this thread and realise how much women hate the bloody 3/4 length sleeves.

I wonder if part of it is cost saving. I know it's only a few inches of fabric but I imagine it all adds up when you're making clothes on a mass scale. If you can get away with cutting a few inches off and calling it fashion, all the better for your profit margins.

Report
MulledPinot · 19/12/2012 11:48

3/4 sleeves, or bracelet length, are my fave. Many reasons - practical (don't get wet), vain (makes wrists looks elegant and skinny) and also means you get to show off jewellery.

Love em.

Get some cashmere wristwarmers for those times you're sitting still and getting chilly, but for all other times, 3/4 sleeves are tres elegant.

Report
MadAboutHotChoc · 19/12/2012 12:04

Pale skinny wrists on show esp when accompanied by pale skinny hands do not look good! I don't mind having these on show in summer when I am lightly tanned though.

I get cold easily and the thought of cold wrists makes me shiver!!

Report

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Curtsey · 19/12/2012 12:16

Hate 3/4 sleeves on winter jumpers and cardigans. I don't agree that it's a flattering length for everyone! I look much more 'dressed' with full-length sleeves. But I just look cold and under-prepared with 3/4s.

Report
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/12/2012 12:39

Yes to cashmere wrist warmers - absolutely adore mine.

Report
almapudden · 19/12/2012 12:45

Where can I buy these cashmere wrist warmers?

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.