How to style long sleeves without being a mad, frumpy, cardigan lady

[HystericalDinosaur]

I am rubbish at putting outfits together.
I'm in that post baby/who am I anymore/how do I dress my body and I have to wear long sleeves (full length, NOT 3/4 lengths) as I have scarring on my arms.

Please help me out together a few outfits...
A casual dress/sleeve combo that can be dressed up or down
A few outfits for jeans

My wardrobe is all cardigans and I just feel so frumpy!!

Not all dresses/skirts etc look good with long sleeves but I suck at finding the combinations that do work!

Am a pear shape, 5'6, long torso, short legs, size 12-14.

Thank you so much for any help in advance.

God, I hate the word frumpy. Seem to be saying this more and more.

Buy some nice cardigans, that you like. Or a biker jacket. Or a jersey blazer. Or all of the above.

I’ve got a bit lardy op so don’t have access to my “skinny” wardrobe ( skinny being a relative term) so I’m trying to extend some of my summer items. I have a number of Cos items with short sleeves that look pretty good with a fine wool top layered underneath. I think it works because the styles are quite minimalist with a flared sleeve rather than a cap sleeve. I also have a white cotton shirt or silk shirt that I layer under items too. So you could try something similar. Otherwise I like knitwear to be oversized or “boyfriend” style - often womens cuts are too fitted. A looser cut with top layered over a dress or jeans / trousers looks more modern than a little fitted cardigan unless you’re going for that vintage style.

Arket maybe worth a look for cardigans too.

A cardigan is a wonderful garments. There are lots of stylish ones out there. This is my favourite. I bought it in this colour last year from Other Stories and have worn it so much. I have just ordered another in red.
www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/knitwear/cardigans/product.wrap-cardigan-beige.1008612001.html

I like full length sleeves, ideally coming onto my hands, not so much for covering my scars but as my disabled arm doesn't like either sun or cold. I think the best look is usually from either an interesting sleeve/cuff (shirred cuffs with volume sleeves for instance) or from layering a long sleeve under a 3/4 or short sleeve - or even a jacket with long sleeves where you want to push the sleeve up.
The return of bodysuits makes adding long sleeves without bulk super easy, but obv also fitted long sleeve tees. I also have some forearm length sleeve things (sold for modest dressing) which I found on ebay which are great for filling in a 3/4 length and came in a massive range of colours, and sun protection full sleeves in the summer to wear with t shirts. Wingz are great too, though stock seems a bit on and off and they don't have the range they did once. Their lace sleeves were very good when my scarring made me more self conscious and I didn't want a solid sleeve

I apologise for not having read everything but I am almost exactly the same shape as you and personally find a cardigan the hardest garment. I haven't worn one for years. Nothing against them at all. I just find them difficult.

I wear fitted jumpers or vests with thicker tops. For casual hoodies with zips.

I find a nice neckline and sleeve help. I like scoop necklines or balloon sleeves or a sleeve with a pleat at the top.

If you get cold in winter, can I recommend long-sleeved thermal vests, M and S have fab black ones with a bit of sparkle in them, and Tu have long sleeved fluffy ones in black and cream.If you start your outfit off with one of these, you can wear pretty much anything you normally wear in spring/autumn but be warm and covered for winter, I wear them with camisoles over the top and a jacket, dresses, long sleeved blouses, anything. My teens wear them too as they are so useful!

www.marksandspencer.com/l/lingerie/thermals/thermal-tops

This type of thing, I don't care if I wear 3/4 length jacket and these peek out, I also wear regular tops with them underneath if you don't want to have a tight top on (it's not flattering on me). I wear them all winter!

I wear denim shirts as a second layer to make a change from cardigans
I have 2 shades of blue, grey, black and a vintage coral colour
Zara sometimes have them in needlecord - I have a charcoal one which is going with loads even dresses
Jackets don’t suit my current weight and body shape but with cardigans it’s just finding a shape that works well for you

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1087519004.html?hier_id=go_cmp-12796663437_adg-126516124212_ad-516052907443_pla-321662237026_dev-c_ext-_prd-en-1087519004004_sig-Cj0KCQjw4omaBhDqARIsADXULuVsc7BtTsvvgEiX-uaMXXdTExcu3l-MHy6DrxjQVwdVe7UG_hvoRIAaAg8fEALw_wcB&utm_source=Google&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4omaBhDqARIsADXULuVsc7BtTsvvgEiX-uaMXXdTExcu3l-MHy6DrxjQVwdVe7UG_hvoRIAaAg8fEALw_wcB
this is the sot of thing I mean