What do you wear with sleeveless dresses when you dont want your arms out?

[Ethela]

So many wonderful dresses are sleeveless - what sort of cardi looks best - style and colour if you dont want your arms out? I am short and broad shouldered.

I've got some of these like @Keepthecat posted. I used to wear long sleeved tops underneath but menopause means that's just too hot so these are a game changer for me!

I have a variety of jackets to wear over sleeveless (or short sleeved) dresses -

Blue denim
white denim
khaki utility jacket
navy cotton jacket

Ive also got a couple of knitted jackets, bit smarter and warmer than a cardigan. One in red from Zara and one in black with white trim from M&S.

Why not?

I wear a t shirt underneath a strappy dress if it's a bit cooler but too warm for a caridgon on plain shirt over the top. I love the 90s look lol

There are loads of lovely crochet knits about currently which are a little bit different.

Hmm...because they're hideous and dated??

So are my arms! @Arrivederla

Fair enough!! 😁

Me too.
They are perfect for dresses.. either tied or left open.

These look lovely.

Why would you write a bad review about something you don't buy?

For me, the chiffon shrugs with tie at the bottom are the business. I must have every colour under the sun to match every sleeveless (and some short cap sleeve) dresses that I own. They are so versatile and inoffensive, i.e. are not pashminas lol!

I shouldn't care, but I do. So the featherlight chiffon shrugs are great in Summer. Winter I wear cropped light cardigan, but there are more sleeves in winter dresses anyway.

Fab suggestion!

I don't mind being sleeveless but I tend to take a kimono / haori / jinbei with me in case its a bit cold. My favourite is actually part of a men's pyjama set from Muji.

What about a little LK Bennett cardigan from Vinted? You can usually find a bargain there!

BumbleBeegu · 12/04/2025 16:37
I have several of these in different colours : https://amzn.eu/d/1ocTU0J?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

I have just ordered one of these and also another from a similar supplier on Amazon to see which i like best. I need to cover my wrinkly upper arms but it is a fine line to not look as if you want to cover your arms lol.

@FastFood , is it this one?

Cardigan - very frumpy unless you’re 70+. I’d go for a denim jacket or a shacket

Alternatively plenty of wrap dresses usually have elbow length sleeves

Yes, but in plain navy! Good thing is, it has a pocket.

I didn't think people still wear those wrap type shrug things anymore. I don't think I've seen them for over about 20 years. 😬 I made the decision a long time ago that my arms are not offensive to the world.

For casual day dresses what about making a crochet bolero?

%3D

Cardigans can look very frumpy, but if you have a longer cardigan, put a belt round it and it gives you a waist. Nicer than a bolero to me.

I wear a cropped cardi that comes to the waist.

I've several from Boden, Jigsaw and one from Seasalt (that was in a colour to match a sleeveless dress.)

I tend to wear dresses with fitted waists, so the short cardi hits the waist.

However, I rarely buy sleeveless now- my upper arms are too flabby.

Denim jackets are a cliche.
And too hot.