Pushing Sleeves Up

Woman, wearing a denim shirt with the sleeves pushed up
Photo: Juice Team/Shutterstock
Q: Is it okay for a woman to scrunch the sleeves of her button-front shirts? I love rolling or pushing my shirt sleeves up, sometimes to elbow length. It's comfortable, and I think it looks cool. Actually, I think it looks much better than a short-sleeved blouse. Are scrunched sleeves okay or a big fashion mistake?
 
A: Not only is it okay, but it has become so popular that it even has its own term: "zhuzhing." While the word can refer to making small adjustments that improve the look of clothing or accessories, when it comes to shirts it usually means gently pushing the sleeves upward.
 
This look is flattering because it transforms full-length sleeves into something that resembles a three-quarter sleeve. Three-quarter sleeves have long been considered one of the most universally flattering sleeve lengths because they reveal the narrowest part of the forearm while maintaining the clean lines of a long-sleeved shirt. The result is that the arms appear longer, the torso looks more elongated, and the overall silhouette can seem slimmer.
 
Pushing the sleeves up also creates a more relaxed appearance. A crisp button-front shirt can sometimes look overly formal, but slightly scrunched sleeves instantly make it feel more casual and approachable. It's an easy styling trick that works equally well with jeans, tailored trousers, skirts, and even shorts.
 
Woman wearing a satin shirt, before and after pushing the sleeves up
 
The look works best when it appears intentional rather than sloppy. Instead of bunching the sleeves unevenly, push them up so the fabric gathers naturally around the forearm or just below the elbow. If your shirt fabric is especially slippery (satin or silk), making one or two loose folds before pushing the sleeves upward can help them stay in place. Some shirts even include button tabs specifically designed to secure rolled-up sleeves.
 
The fabric and fit of the shirt also make a difference. Crisp cotton shirts, linen shirts, chambray shirts, and lightweight denim shirts all lend themselves beautifully to scrunched sleeves. Shirts with a bit of room through the sleeves are usually easier to zhuzh than very slim-fitting styles, which may feel tight or create bulky folds when pushed up.
 
Woman who is rolling up the sleeves of her shirt
 
The main thing to avoid is falling into too many of the styling tricks that were popular in the 1980s. Pushed-up sleeves were all the rage back then, along with big hair and popped collars. It's one thing to incorporate a retro element into a modern outfit, but it's another thing entirely to look as though you've stepped out of a different decade. Pairing scrunched sleeves with contemporary silhouettes and accessories keeps the look current.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
How to dress to look slim
 
How to wear buttoned blouses
 
The boyfriend fashion trend