Can You Wear Sleeveless Tops Over 50
Going sleeveless is a bit of a “thing” for most midlife women, including me. Unless you work out consistently and sometimes even then, the skin on our upper arms loses elasticity and can get a crepey appearance. Some women wear sleeveless garments without giving it a thought, but many do not. Today I’m joining my stylish blogging friends from the Over 50 Style Team, Tania, Susan, and Deborah to discuss our thoughts on how we wear sleeveless tops over 50.
In my thirties, baring or not baring my upper arms never crossed my mind. I just did. The older I’ve become, the more it’s become an issue for me. My latest weight loss was great for my feet and knees but wreaked havoc on my face, neck, and upper arms. And to be honest, my upper arms have taken the biggest hit, which these pictures don’t show.
I admit I am not exercising as much as I could be and my goal is to always do more, but even then, the amount of extra skin in my underarm area isn’t likely to go away unless I put that weight back on.
If I do plan to wear sleeveless tops, I head straight to the petite department. They generally have a shallower armhole so they cover more of what I don’t want exposed. They’re also more likely to cover the side of my bra which is mandatory.
I saw my dermatologist for a follow-up yesterday and I asked her about my upper arms. She surprised me by suggesting I use a Retinol cream on them. She then went on to say even Retin A would help so I’m going to add that to my regime. I’ve started using a bit of my self-tanner on my arms and it does help a bit.
I’ve just bought this cream at the suggestion of a reader and really like how it feels. It’s cruelty-free and fragrance-free with lots of great reviews. It’s too early to see any results but it is very moisturizing so I apply it twice a day. There are some very highly rated products to improve the look of skin on your upper arms.
PRODUCTS TO FIRM SKIN ON UPPER ARMS
The U Beauty Sculpt Arm Compound is quickly becoming a cult favorite. It has a cocktail of interesting ingredients that promise to help your skin look firmer. It’s also cruelty-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Crepe Erase is already a cult favorite and many women swear by it to improve the texture of the skin all over their body.
What say you? Is going sleeveless something you give any thought to?
Now let’s head over and see what these ladies have to say about going sleeveless.
Tania at 50 Is Not Old,– Susan at une femme d’un certain âge, – and Deborah at Fabulous After 40
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I’ve decided to shrug off the shrugs and little light cardigans when outside on hot days. I think I’m self aware enough to not run around flapping my arms , but if anyone gets a glimpse of my bat wings under arms, who cares? I used to love seeing older ladies in summer dressed pretty and showing a little bare leg and their crepey, veiny arms. A cute outfit and a little lipstick is all you ever really need from our 20s to 100!😘👩🏻🦳💪🦵👚👖👗🥿🩴👟💄
Hi Jennifer
Thank you for all your great tips for us ladies that are 25 in our thoughts but have a mature body..you always look great..could you have a blog about what type of eyeglass styles or tips to wear..I’m 66 and go from contacts to glasses.. Also. there are so many websites and books on losing weight for women in their 40s. But do you have any simple food ideas for dieting..my husband is tall and thin but I have to cook for him too..I hate frozen dinners but like to cook..its wonderful that there are women like with great suggestions. Thanks again and God bless you
Hi Pam
I have a post here On choosing frames. I struggle with contacts because my ocular rosacea makes them uncomfortable.
Hi Jennifer,
I have a summer wedding coming up to attend as a guest. I am having trouble working out what is appropriate these days for someone in their early 60’s . People don’t seem to dress up as much unless you are in the wedding party but do wear dresses in our region.
I was wondering if you had considered doing a blog on this topic?
Cheers
Debbie
That’s always a challenge. I would dress the way you feel comfortable and to be in tune with the venue. Feel free to shoot me an email and I can give you a few concrete ideas.
I had already ordered that dress in black for vacation but truly appreciated the cream, I placed that order yesterday. Certain medication has caused more wrinkles but exercise has helped.
I’m noticing the cream helping! It’s only been a few days but is it’s helping the appearance of my skin
Which cream are you referring to? Thx for any reply.
A reader mentioned this cream which I’m trying. https://shopstyle.it/l/bv6G0
It’s not miraculous but it is helping them
Look better.
Until a year ago, I would not bear my upper arms. But then I moved to Arizona and have left my ego (self awareness with upper arms) go. However, sleeveless is hard because my bra often shows. I’m large busted, and the larger the size, the bigger the arm holes (and I already wear petite). My go to has become cap sleeves, even though the can make my arms look heavier. The Arizona heat requires some practicality.
This is a topic I totally relate to! I’m 57 and have recently lost a bit of weight and have noticed the same sagging and crepey skin problem areas you mentioned. While I am self conscious about it, most days I don’t let the demons in my head win, and if I want to wear something sleeveless I will. I’m learning to love my body, even at this stage of the game. I think it is something we all should strive for!
At my age, I don’t really care what my arms look like. I, however do shy away from sleeveless just because I don’t think sleeveless items look that great on me. I think a short or 3/4 length sleeve looks better. I can’t stand having “regimen’s” for putting creams on; anywhere! It’s just too much work! I don’t even enjoy putting moisturizer on my body. I do it, but not consistently. I guess I’m low maintenance or maybe just lazy! Lol!
You certainly don’t need to worry about your arms! That dress looks great! Let ’em hang out and be cool!
Thanks for addressing this subject now that we are in the heat of the summer. That is a great tip about shopping for sleeveless tops in the petite department to avoid the armhole gap! I may check out some of the skin products you recommended.
This post was good timing. Just bought two dresses for church today. They were so pretty and fit me so well, I couldn’t resist. Both are sleeveless and I had to fight with myself because of thoughts of feeling I should not wear sleeveless in church and at 78 I shouldn’t show my less-than-perfect upper arms. But the dresses are so pretty and I feel pretty in them – so what the heck, lol!
Exactly! You feel pretty in them and that’s what counts
I never ever wear sleeveless because of crepy skin that, with recent weight loss is all the wY down my arms onto the forearm. I do not like the look and will continue to cover up unless the creme you mentioned works. I notice other people’s crepey arms and necks. I’m not mean, I just have eyes. I believe in covering what I can’t fix and then not worrying about it. In the summer I wear 3/4 sleeve tops that aren’t clingy, which keeps me comfortable. Another reader mentioned what to do at the beach or pool. I do not go in the water and hide from summer sun. So loose sleeves are right there too.
I love what Kami said.
We are what we are and should celebrate 🎉 it fully.
Look at the inside and the outside shines through. ❤️
I still wear sleeveless tops and dresses in the summer because even with flappy arms it looks better than short sleeves. No matter how much yoga I do it doesn’t firm up the arms anymore. I’ll have to check out some of the creams you mentioned.
I’m wearing sleeveless right now. A little addition to the foregoing discussion about body-shaming us: my not-favorite compliment is “You look so good for your age!”
With that beautiful smile, who’s looking at your arms anyway?
That shirttail dress looks amazing! Perfect for summer everything! Many of us are less toned due the pandemic halting our usual workout routines. If you’re among the lucky, your genes are holding you together! But, for heaven’s sake, aging skin isn’t something to agonize over!!! – Get a cancer/illness diagnosis and you’ll know what I mean. (And, what do y’all do at the pool or beach at the sight of your cellulite?!) Forget those granny gowns and wear what looks good on you and makes you happy. Only rude and unfriendly types care about your appearance. Thank you Jennifer for another great post!
I’m cooler natured so I rarely wear anything sleeveless. In my area, we’re rarely above 90′ and indoor air conditioning almost always seems chilly to me. I do have some sleeveless tops I can wear for outdoor activities or for layering. I hope you’ll let us know what you think of the Retinol cream after you’ve used it a while
I will let you know
I actually don’t own anything sleeveless. It doesn’t usually get to hot where I live but right now we are going to have a week in the 100’s! I think I might be looking for some sleeveless tops now. I remember reading a book where a 70 year old woman called her upper arms flags!! That kind of stuck with me.