Tips to Help Upper Arms Look Their Best
Larger upper arms, sagging skin, and loose underarm skin is a fact of life for many women after 50. So since summer upon us, let’s look at a few ways to help them look their best.
How to help the skin look better
- Moisturizer – dry skin looks crepey so keeping your arms moisturized goes a long way towards a smooth appearance
- Self-tanner – together with moisturizer, a light application of self-tanner improves the look of upper arms
- Excercise- duh, we all knew this one but even if you’re a gym fanatic you may have excess skin as a result of weight loss or gain during your lifetime and the skin on your arms could be saggy.
6 smart ways to cover your upper arms
- Sheer fabrics are our friends. Look for tops made from sheer linen, organza, cotton or silk. These fabrics breathe as well as camouflage so we can feel covered but comfortable in warm weather.
- Scarves and wraps are obvious choices to cover your arms with sleeveless tops and dresses. I demonstrated how I tie a large scarf to cover my upper arms here.
- Tops with wide or drapey sleeves are a great way to camouflage your arms. A tight upper sleeve accentuates the size of the upper arm, so if yours are large, this is not your most flattering look.
- Wear a lightweight cardigan or jacket. This is obvious too, but in the warm weather look for elbow length options and sheer fabrics.
- Wear darker colored tops. Light colors advance and make things look larger so a darker top helps your arms look smaller.
- Change the focus. Try cold-shoulder or off shoulder tops that hide cover your arms while exposing your shoulders.
How to control upper arm jiggle
Another option is arm shapewear. They’re exactly what they sound like. Sleeves you wear under your garments to control any jiggle or wobble. They can be as simple as the ones shown above or fuller coverage that fit over your torso and shoulders.
Do you have any additional tips to share?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
If you haven’t seen Joan MacDonald’s before and after photos you will believe there is hope for saggy back arm skin or saggy skin in general. She has been on a 5 year transformation. And what a transformation!! A lady in her 70’s who looks amazing but definitely put in the work, so there’s that. She’s on the cover of Oct 23 Women’s Health Mag. Worth checking – out very inspirational.
Resistance bands are a lifesaver! Besides doing cardio by walking/jogging, they have made a major difference in my body.
Hi, Jennifer,
I’m currently experimenting with several lotions/creams that are advertised as “skin firming”. The one really does a good job on my hands and arms. The other, I’ve just started using on my legs—so it’s too soon to know if it is effective.
Also, I’m trying to build up my arm muscles. My delts and biceps look good; but those darned “back-of-the-upper-arm muscles (triceps) are very, very difficult to firm up!! I think that this arm firming is a long term process…so no tank tops and short sleeves for me!!
It seems to me that flabby arms often have a lot to do with aging skin more than underlying muscle. Think about the droopiness that occurs on the face and neck, too. My hubby is very well-toned (if that’s accurate to say about a man), muscular with little fat. However, the backs of his upper arms are “flabby.” He is 75.
My husbands are flabby too 😉
Can you tell me where that top is from that you are wearing in the top photo?
Thanks for all the helpful tips today!
It’s from a boutique in Berkeley.
One of the few things that hasn’t gone south on me is the arms. So I wear sleeveless all summer long.
I’ve never been of the mind that the world should be exposed to all my imperfections. I appreciate elegance, modesty, and refinement, so I try to dress and behave accordingly. We live in a very tropical climate and cool attire is essential, but I don’t feel a need to be revealing, as many women my age who live here seem to. I’ve never tried anti wrinkle or sagging products and just cover up the scary parts.
I always try to wear a lightweight kimono ,lightweight cardigan, shrug , etc. over a sleeveless top.
I am always looking for the perfect coverup.With my local Nordstrom Is closing & I would appreciate some suggestions in regular & plus sizes. Elaine Fisher has some good choices but certain of their fabrics really stretch out so it is helpful to try on.
Would love some suggestions.
Finding it a bit hard to navigate your site with all the pop ups Citi bank, etc. that I am constantly trying to x off the screen.
I understand got to sponsor the blog but they are definitely winning the battle.
Chicos and Soft Surroundings always have caftans.
What kind of self tanner do you recommend?
I like the Jergens which just goes on like body lotion. It’s very light
Upper arms are a problem for me, too. It’s frustrating, because I have definition & muscle tone on the top of my arms which at 70+ I am happy about. My grandson says “G’ma, you’ve got guns”! But the underside skin is crepey & loose, no amount of exercise helps. I always wear something to cover them, but love a sleeveless dress or top. Oh, well….I had my day. 🏋️♀️ 😘
Way to go!!
Don’t wave to anyone on the beach! Seriously I count on lightweight linen or chambray shirts. I am very hot natured, so I will keep on with tank tops and sleeveless dresses.Self Tanner does help.
At the age of 65, and at an average weight, and a person who works out lightly/moderately, I have decided to enjoy the summers and not worry about my arms, cellulite, legs, and sags. I put together a neat and polished look, with a hat, jewelry, a summer bag, sandals, and let my arms and knees enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. I wear 6-7″ shorts, a linen blouse as I love white linen, and forget about my appearance.
Be kind to yourself, everyone, and forget about spanx, spanx for arms, etc. Go change the world!
I love your attitude Trixie!