The phrase ‘roll your sleeves up’ is synonymous with getting to work, but as well as offering a practical way to keep your sleeves clean when working with your hands, it’s also a great way of creating a casual look. Rolled up sleeves are also perfect for keeping your cool when the weather is warm. But if you find that your sleeves look more sloppy than sleek when you roll them up, or they don’t stay put, then this is the guide for you. Here, I’ll show you how to roll up your sleeves properly in a variety of ways. Ready? Let’s go!
Where should the sleeve sit?
Ideally, your sleeve should sit just below the elbow when rolled up – in any case, it shouldn’t sit too close to the wrist, as this will look as though the shirt is just too large. Somewhere between just below the elbow, and the mid forearm, is best.
Prepare your shirt
Before you begin folding, make sure that your shirt has been thoroughly pressed to eliminate any creases. This will help to create a crisp, clean finish. Also, all methods will require cuff and gauntlets to be unbuttoned. Also, you may find it easier to roll up your shirt sleeves before you put your shirt on; you may prefer rolling up the sleeves while wearing the shirt. It’s really a personal choice, but it’s worth experimenting with both ways so that you can see which works best for you. One benefit of rolling the sleeves before putting the shirt on is that you can press the folds if you wish to create a super crisp look. " data-orig-src="http://blog.forthefit.com/wp-content/uploads/fabric-93205_1280.jpg" alt="Cuff" width="1280" height="850" />
Methods
The basic sleeve roll
This is probably what most of us do when rolling up our sleeves. With cuffs and gauntlets unbuttoned, use the cuff as a measuring guide and fold the cuff backwards to create a crisp line. Fold again, with this fold line falling at the end of your cuff. Repeat as necessary, making sure to neaten up the sleeve with each fold. This method wouldn’t really work with a particularly large cuff – with a large cuff, the half cuff roll would look better.
The half cuff roll
Similar to the method shown above, the half cuff roll can suit men of a smaller stature as the slimline fold is well proportioned for a smaller frame. Fold up your cuff, but instead of placing the fold line at the top of the cuff, use the middle of the cuff as a guide for the fold line – you’re basically folding the cuff in half. Repeat this fold until the cuff is hidden, and repeat again as necessary until you have achieved the sleeve length you desire. Again, be sure to adjust the sleeve as necessary with each fold to ensure that the sleeve sits straight and looks neat.
The contrast cuff roll
If the cuff of your sleeve features a contrast color or pattern on the inside, then this is a great way to show it off. Turn your cuff inside out, and pull it up your arm until the end of the cuff is close to the crook of your elbow. Then, fold up the fabric underneath your cuff to create a band around the cuff, with a little of the cuff still visible at the top. Adjust as necessary – this method may take a few attempts until you achieve the sleeve length and band width that you desire. " data-orig-src="http://blog.forthefit.com/wp-content/uploads/33-Shirts-1.jpg" alt="Man Shirt" width="620" height="827" />
Conclusion
As with most things, rolling up your sleeves properly will take a little practise before you get it just right – but as they say, practise makes perfect! The methods above should allow your sleeves to stay put all day for most fabrics, but if you are wearing a slippery or shiny fabric such as silk, it may be necessary to use a small safety pin on the inside of your sleeve to keep everything in place. The finished look that you want to achieve will depend on the situation – the more casual the setting, the more wrinkles and crookedness you can get away with. If you ask me, though, a crisp look is always best, even in casual situations. Images
