Why do women cover their arms?

[MyChildDoesntNeedSleep]

I was out at a restaurant tonight and people-watching as usual. I had a bit of an epithany that covering your arms if you don't like them is completely the wrong thing to do. I saw women with untoned arms in vest tops, and to me they looked great. Ive come to the conclusion that you should rock your arms, no matter what they look like. I truly think it doesnt make any difference to onlookers. I can say that i have never in my life thought to myself that a woman should have covered her arms.

Mine are not a nice colour ( corn beef skin) and quite flabby even though I'm slim.

I've always hated them but you're right, I never think anything of other people's.

I am 37 and only in the last couple of years have I felt comfortable wearing shorts, because I always thought I had awful legs. It's taken me this long to realise that a) nobody else cares b) I'm no supermodel but I look fine and c) actually most people place more importance on who I am not what I look like. We all put ourselves under so much pressure and are our own worst critics, and we need to stop!

I have nice, slim, toned arms. Tragically they are covered with hideous moles.

This year I've started not giving a shit though. Vest tops are the way forward.

I get little milk spots on my arms.... disgusting as it is i can't help but pick at them so i have about 4 or 5 scabs on the tops of my arms at any given time.

I've been less bothered this year though and the sun has actually helped.

you probably have a point, ive never taken much notice of anyone else's arms uncovered or not.

I'm not an angel, i have seen people in too-tight outfits and passed comment but can honestly say that arms, no matter what they look like, have never caused me to think anything negative. I know some people that have self-harmed in the past and are now confident enough to bare their arms and I still don't think anything negative about their arms.

Yes at the grand olde age of erm Not Quite Fifty Yet I have said to self for fucks sake they are ARMS not alien tentacles, they have served me well, have carried my babies beautifully, toted bags all round the world, have elbowed fellow sales hunters nicely. They are just arms #spaghettistraps

OorWullie try urea cream like Flexitol on your spotty arms

I have not bared my arms in public since my early teens. I have just turned 40.

Thanks Pedlars will give it a go.

If I could stop picking at them they wouldn't even be visible.

Honey cmon, get 'em out. Empower yourself. I am short, fat, pasty, pillbury doughboy. If I can, you can

OP what a fabulous post.

You beauty .

I used to cover mine but now I get them out especially now it's hot! There's nothing wrong with them. Although to be fair I imagine other people have thought badly of them as I'm fat but I do not care. Working on getting legs out next.

I always think it's a sign of confidence. It's saying, "Judge me all you like, I don't give a f@@k. I'm having brown shoulders".

Go on, rock your arms!

As an aside, I see waaaay more flabby men's arms that should be put away than women's.

I used to have beautiful arms. I've started to show them this summer as I've lost some weight but they're not beautiful now....they're passable for a 41 year old! I don;t care. I am sick of hiding the plump little buggers!

Er, to keep cool in the sun and warm in the cool evening?

It's amazing how deciding that you are going to cease worrying about something means - you really do stop worrying about it! . I decided the same about my arms this summer as well, and have been feeling much better and freer when wearing cap sleeves etc. life really is too short to get hung up over things that don't actually matter in the grand scheme of things.

Another vote for the sentiment in this thread. No-one will judge you because of your arms. Or legs.

Well, they might, but that says more about them than you.

I believe that the harshest judge is ourselves, and if we can get over the internal criticism and think "actually, I look fine", then we'll be much happier.

I think the correct question would be why don't men bare their arms or why do women bare their arms. But I digress.

You're right, though. We shouldn't bother too much about what other people think.

I have just come to this conclusion myself. I have spent years sweltering in the summer heat with cardies on so as not to offend peoples eyes. This year I decided that I don't care any more. It feels really good and I have seen a couple of pictures of myself and realised its nowhere near as bad as I thought! They are just arms!

I have just tried on a beautiful sleeveless coral summer dress in Monsoon that I love, is half price, would be perfect for my holiday but I hate my arms so I didn't buy it . I tried a shrug over it but that looked hideous. Not sure what to do. I think I would just feel too self conscious to wear it.

Saurus72 - nobody is interested in what your arms look like. You are the only person who is noticing them! Buy the beautiful, perfect dress!

Some people have to cover arms for religious reasons which is hard especially when it's hot. But I think if u have no such restrictions u should definitely bare arms if thats how the clothes are ie sleeveless. Same for bare legs and shorts

Y'see Dexter I do kind of know it's me ( but it's not false modesty - they are not good arms). Although I could use the rowing machine at the gym a lot over the next couple of weeks to try and make them look better. Tis a lovely dress. Don't need it but I do want it.