Long sleeves that won't make me overheat!

[MummySparkle]

I have to wear long sleeves at work. I work in a school doing a job that involves lots of walking about and doing stuff. (Art technician)

Long sleeves aren't in the dress code, but due to personal reasons I need to wear them. At the moment I'm going for lightweight shirts over a t-shirt. I would rather have them over a vest, but I am big-boobed and they all show too much cleavage.

I'm planning to get / make some knee-length summer shirts and wear with a tshirt, but what can I wear with them? Will a shirt open over the top look strange? I need a really really lightweight cardigan, do they exist.

Any suggestions welcome for lightweight cardigans, or non-cleavage vests or something else with long sleeves that will keep me cool?

And nothing too expensive as all clothes inevitably end up with paint on within a week!

How about something like these www.wingzfashion.com I have always thought they were a great idea but never actually tried them. You can get different sleeve lengths and a few different colours.

What about shalwar kameez? They tend to be at least three quarter sleeve length, cotton and modest of the neckline. In a creative environment the decorative style won't look out of place either?

pakeezaanchal.com/actress-poorna-in-black-plain-churidar-salwar-kameez-with-double-shaded-dupatta/

Is this the sort of look you are going for? [without the shorts]
www.marksandspencer.com/longline-shirt-with-buttonsafe/p/p22444374?prevPage=plp

Ive looked at the wingz before. They seem like a good idea, but what do you wear them with?! I might as well just wear a long sleeve tshirt. I might get some to try for under the summery dresses I have.

Ideally I'd like a cardigan made from the same stuff as a really thin cotton shirt. Happy for it to have shirt cuffs, but be cardigan length and shape on the body. I'm going to have to make one / modify a shirt aren't I?

Might be a bit pricey for getting trashed at work but the constantly run sales
www.fatface.com/shirts/boyfriend-slub-check-shirt/invt/913160#ff_colour=Ivory

I wear the Wingz as I have big surgical scars and other issues on one arm and sometimes want to cover it completely.

I like that they don't add any warmth/ bulk on your body and work well under sleeveless, short sleeves or 3/4 sleeves things. The tall ones come right onto my hands.

X post!

Oooh, a shalwar kameez might be something to look into. I'm 5'4 and a size 16 at the moment so I'm not sure I could pull it off? Maybe a tunic version over trousers though.

I am wearing the fat-face version of that shirt (and denim shorts) right now! It's literally the same length and colour with side pockets too! are you watching me?!

I have lots of shirts like this and I love them. Usually wear them with a tshirt and black jeggings. I can't wear them without something underneath as even 2 sizes too big always gape at the boobs Ideally I'd like something that's the same shape as a normal round-neck cardigan, but in the same fabric as that shirt

Happy to help and no I'm not watching you [though that's a bit weird !]

Lab coat? So basically create your own uniform "jacket" over a bright t-shirt every day? It will be obvious it's a lab coat and that it comes off at the end of every day saving your own clothes. You could personalise it/ bling it up "pink ladies" style
www.happythreads.co.uk/womens-uniforms/white-lab-coats-women.html

www.johnlewis.com/fat-face-longline-shenley-cardigan-khaki/p2709205
www.marksandspencer.com/open-front-ribbed-cardigan-with-linen/p/p22462231?prevPage=plp
www.marksandspencer.com/striped-longline-cardigan/p/p22442875?prevPage=plp

I like the lab coat idea, however I think I'd struggle to wash up without rolling the sleeves up. I already have an apron for myself that is pretty much my 'uniform'. Maybe I should find myself an overused men's shirt and just wear that every day. Issue with keeping big sleeves at work is that I still need to wear sleeves to get there / take cardigan off to put lab coat on etc.

ASOS have a helpful sort option for long sleeve tops
www.asos.com/women/sale/tops/cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=4167&CTARef=shop|outlet|tops#state=Rf961%3D3340&parentID=Rf961&pge=0&pgeSize=36&sort=-1

There are some handy cheap basics on there too
www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Longline-Top-With-Side-Splits-And-Long-Sleeves/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5652108&cid=4167&Rf961=3340&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=White&totalstyles=1236&gridsize=3

If you need something fitted, and want to keep your wrists covered up all the time, then you could use these sort of things with a looser sleeve top- an artists smock in a light cotton or seersucker for summer would cover you up and be cool. Very easy to make in an assortment of fabrics, and traditionally have very practical patch pockets.

The sleeve things I have are made of the same material as opaque tights, so dry very quickly when you are washing up and don't stain with paint

If you really want to stay cool, don't layer.
Woven cotton (shirt material) is cooler than knitted cotton (tee-shirt material).
Do the sleeves need to be wrist length? Or would 3/4 be enough coverage?
I can only get expensive shirts to work. TM Lewin or pepperberry.
Would this be to casual?
I have some things helpfully labeled "popovers" they are only short sleeved, but are cool, shirt material with no buttons. Usually with a bubble hem. Might be worth looking out for?
If a vest top is too low, what happens if you out it on back to front to get a higher neck line?

www.newlook.com/shop/womens/_/N-cm2?Ntt=boyfriend+cardigan&icCategory=cat10002&filtered=1

I wear these cardigans in the summer over t-shirts/dresses as they are really thin & keep me cool whilst covering my arms.

Gah, wrote a post and it died :(

I've found a few lightweight cardigans that have sheer backs and normal fronts. I'm thinking worn with a vest and skirt.

I know layering isn't great, but I really struggle to find something that has long sleeves, is loose enough to be cool and comfy all day, isn't see through, doesn't gape at the boobs or expose too much cleavage, and doesn't look like a tent. At least with an open shirt / cardigan over a vest I get a bit of a breeze flowing around my torso and I can take it off the second I get into my car!

I have scarring from just above my elbow all of the way down to the back of my hand. There's no way I can keep my had covered, but that is less obvious now anyway. I need to be covered to wrist / where my watch sits.

I've got a couple of boyfriend cardigans in black, I've just ordered myself some new ones for this summer too.

I will look into the wrist-lets and the popovers. Making myself some smock-tops might be a way to go. I'm hoping to get some sewing done in half term week and get a couple of skirts made wishful thinking