Armery (i.e. Mary Portas's strange looking shrug/arm-tights things)

[ElectricMonk]

Hi, I just thought I'd post to ask if anybody has tried/seen those armery things worn with an actual outfit. I'm graduating soon and have to wear a dress with cap sleeves, but I want my arms covered so I don't look mad/hypothermic and the lines of the dress mean that a jacket won't look great (it's a DVF wrap-style dress with a slightly Japanese looking collar). The promo pictures I've seen of armery worn with vest tops suggest that it's likely to look a bit funny with the cap sleeves, but I'd be really grateful if somebody could please tell me from experience whether I'm being pessimistic or not!

[CMOTDibbler]

Thanks for the M&S link - I've got big scars on one arm, and though I'm not ashamed of them, I don't always want to have it as the first thing people notice. And I don't want to wear cardigans with a smart dress

[moonshine]

I often wear a sleeved body under dresses - there's quite a few around atm (even on Amazon!) including lace ones which I've worn under long evening dresses - definitely widens your evening/party wear options if you want arm coverage.

The advantage of bodies is that quite a few have scooped fronts and backs.

The disadavantage is that after a few drinks they become more tricky to do up (but I just leave them undone at that stage!)

[littlemissstan]

I used to do this all the time when I was a student with cheap tights - neon pink fishnets a particular fave... Portas has nothing on me :)

[thenightsky]

The cutting the waist band off and wearing like a shrug looks a lot better than the cutting out the crotch version.

[marjproops]

Ive done this for a few years now with legwarmers. you need to pin them on the sleeve tho othewrwise they fall down!!!

patterned tights are always good too, they just look like lacy sleeves.

[Pinot]

[PosieParker]

A woman did go on Dragons den some time ago with this.

[MurderOfGoths]

Haha, bit of both!

[ValentineWiggins]

Marisota (I think) do a mesh long sleeve top to go under short sleeves dresses...

[BaronessBomburst]

MurderofGoths Your boobs or the tights?

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Ahem I invented these years ago. Bloody cheating idea-stealing Mary Portas :o

[MurderOfGoths]

baroness I usually pulled them down under my boobs, held them in place better.

[WitchesTit]

Bloody hell, blast from the past!

I used to cut the crotch and feet out of glittery fishnets in the 90's and wear as a top over a lime green satin wonder bra to go clubbing! ( teamed with white lycra hotpants and fake fur legwarmers) I looked the bomb, obviously

[BaronessBomburst]

The video keeps freezing at the same spot- just as she cuts the top off the tights. So, can anyone tell me how you actually wear them? If you stick an arm in each leg, and put your head through a whole in the gusset, then what do you do with them? Presumably you don't wear them round you neck - do you pull them down to your bust?

[Mandy2003]

I'm really afraid the Armery things would be like the surgical garment my friend has to wear for her lymphedema

I'd like to wear tattoo sleeves with a sleeveless dress if I had the balls!

[Wearsuncream]

Ive just done the tights thing!! Its brilliant!! My advice is not to cut too big a hole -really good fit plus because the tights Ive used are hold you in type my arms are feeling snug and firm and warm -love it! They also cover my arm pits. Thanks everyone !!

[MurderOfGoths]

Oh those were on Dragon's Den! They look really good

[ClaudiaCutie]

I was filled with hope when I first heard about the Armery things, but the reality is so different: in one glance, we can all the glaring design fault in them (exposed armpit). Gross. Why then, were they sent into production and into retailers like that? MP pours scorn on others in retailing, but her own garment designs are either hideous or flawed. Pffft.

Anyway, I have seen an alternative product which looks miles better but (crucially) haven't ordered any yet or seen them in real life. However, on design and choice alone, this company seems to have the best choices by far, and their models look like real people, not size 6 waifs with stick arms.

www.wingzfashion.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=59


Hopefully these'll help someone and I must get sorted and at least order one of them to see what they are like!

[MurderOfGoths]

I've known people doing the tights thing in the goth scene for years. It's quite a good way to do it

[101handbags]

How to make tights for arms on YouTube

[Abzs]

I have this one from Terry (cycling brand). It's more bolero-ish, but covers the armpits properly. And is actually warm.

[HellonHeels]

Thanks for that link. I've got opaque tights in perfect condition except for a hole in the toes, will try this out.

[RememberMumsTheWord]

Found it on a blog, isn't the internet a wonderful think. Here but you have to scroll down a fair bit. Makes sense now I can see it!

[Sunnywithachanceofshowers]

Thanks for the tip and the M&S link - I have loads of old tights. :)

[SavoyCabbage]

I wonder if it's on YouTube Remember. That's where I found out how to do a sock bun and scrub a mussel.

I am loving the armery or whatever it's called.