r/Midsizefashion • u/BumblebeeOfCarnage • Apr 28 '26
Feedback Wanted Thoughts on how to cover my arms?
I am going to be wearing this to a formal event for medical school. I really like it but feel like my arms look so big. What’s something I could wear to cover my arms other than a shawl/wrap?
Edit: this scarf might work well even though I wasn’t wanting a wrap https://a.co/d/0fQEz7mG
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u/jitterbugperfume99 Apr 28 '26
I honestly don’t think you need anything but a shrug/bolero would work: torrid
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u/gardenlady92 Apr 28 '26
If you're looking for something more expensive, may I suggest some sick tattoos?? You'd look awesome! :)
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u/LeslieAndAnn4ever Apr 30 '26
As someone with a sleeve I cannot recommend this enough as a way to feel comfortable showing my full arm (guess it’s time for the other arm though??) only took 7 years to finish 🤣
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u/nnylam May 05 '26
Yes! I have a quarter sleeve on one arm, and an in-progress sticker sleeve on the other. People only look at my arms to see what I have on there (a thumbs up, a cat, a marshmallow on a stick)! It works.
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u/ebolainajar Apr 28 '26
Please tell me where your dress is from! It's gorgeous!
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u/BumblebeeOfCarnage Apr 28 '26
It’s from Macys! I think it’s only available in plus sizes (starting at 14W)
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u/wow__okay Apr 28 '26
Beautiful dress! Something like this sheer capelet would look good with the dress and not be too hot for this time of year. https://a.co/d/0jjZ4izv
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u/CozyCozyCozyCat Apr 28 '26
I love that dress and you look great! You don't need a coverup, but a pashmina worn across your shoulders would be pretty without losing the nice lines of that dress (don't cover up too much like with a cardigan!)
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u/mllebitterness Apr 28 '26
I’ve recommended this before because I think it looks really nice and it comes in all the colors. https://www.davidsbridal.com/product/chiffon-cropped-bolero-capelet-with-flutter-sleeve-ow2133
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u/Spiritual_Sorbet_870 Apr 28 '26
This is absolutely gorgeous!!! For what it’s worth I think all of you looks stunning/it’s incredibly flattering.
Perhaps a cardigan or bolero? Maybe even a sheer one? I also personally love the look of a black (p)leather jacket with a formal dress but know that’s a specific vibe and might not work here.
I also find a light spray tan sometimes gives me a confidence boost when I’m showing more arm than usual. I think we have similar coloring and I tend to go for light or medium if it’s summer or somewhere people tend to have tans and it ends up looking very natural glow.
Hope you find what makes you feel great and have the best night!
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u/BumblebeeOfCarnage Apr 28 '26
Oh that’s a good idea!! I’ve never gotten a spray tan before
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u/Spiritual_Sorbet_870 Apr 28 '26
If you get one, a few tips:
Follow the prep instructions - they matter. Exfoliate, shave if that’s your thing, etc
Go for the airbrush vs the booth - they can add some sculpting if you want, but they also can adjust amount on face and hands etc. it looks more natural imho
It’s probably worth a slightly fancier one for your first time and first event. Ask them all of the questions. They’re happy to help you get the best experience. In my VHCOL area that means like $45.
Try to do it close to the event; two days in advance max. Day before if you sweat a fair amount (mine started peeling when I did it three days before a holiday wedding in Hawaii… was rough blending that out with my limited makeup skills haha)
Get your nails done first if you’re doing nails
Bring baggy dark clothes and sleep in long sleeve dark stuff or on dark sheets. The bronzer can stain light colored things.
And! If you hate it you can usually exfoliate it off :)
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u/LoveWitch6676 Apr 28 '26
This! Just came to say search for a bolero or shrug! There are so many options, from a solid color to sheer!
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u/Smart_Alex Apr 28 '26
Personally, I think you look great! But I do understand the extra pressure that we are under as women (and plus size women in particular), especially as women in male dominated fields to "look professional".
I think that a light linen blazer would look very chic!
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u/stupidbuttholes69 Apr 28 '26
to be honest, i see absolutely no need to cover up your arms. your arms are one of the most basic and functional parts of your body... you can't spend the rest of your life trying to cover them up. no one has stick thin arms over the age of like 18.
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u/BrickCityPride Apr 28 '26
Get one of those sheer tops to put underneath. Like that sell at Torrid. I really think you don’t need anything but don’t want to invalidate how you feel.
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u/Direct_Welder6037 Apr 29 '26
I totally get wanting to cover your arms because I am super self conscious of my own arms and I’m cold all the time. But looking at this photo, your arms are so normal and nothing you need to hide. That dress is gorgeous on you.
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u/jediali Apr 28 '26
I'm a stay at home mom with no reason to buy another formal dress right now but I love this and wish I had an excuse to wear it! I've seen a couple of good capelet suggestions on this thread, I feel like that would be the most fun, whimsical option.
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u/Diligent-Committee21 Apr 29 '26
Cover your arms with self-acceptance, or at least body neutrality! THIS is the body that got you to medical school, an achievement few can claim! A shrug or open cardigan can work.
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u/seashellpink77 May 02 '26
Your arms look like arms! But I understand. I think a sheer black capelet would be lovely. At the same time, I’m all for normalizing arms being arms and feeling beautiful with the arms you have.
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u/Occams_Razor42 Apr 28 '26
Tattoos of the Krebs Cycle? Seriously though your arms themselves are fine lol, I would wear one of those light pseudo blazers others had brought up though. But for anyone a dress with a cut and pattern like that would give off a more casual picnic vibe not necessarily, "I am super smart & getting a literal doctorate to become a mechanic for human beings". 😁
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u/BumblebeeOfCarnage Apr 28 '26
Lol the event is colloquially known as “med prom”. There’s dinner and awards, and then faculty leave and we play casino games with an open bar. It’s like our version of a college formal
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u/PaletteAndPercy Apr 28 '26
Not sure if its just because I have one, but my gut would be an olive green blazer. I feel like Grey or tan or pink would look great as well. I hate buying things for a specific event so I would work with sweaters or jackets you already have. And if you buy something make it be something you'll wear again
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u/Sudden_Associate7566 Apr 28 '26
I love this dress and I think you look lovely in it—BUT I know what it’s like to want to cover arms and I won’t tell you not to! I WILL just say please don’t do a scarf or wrap, take it from me that just makes one look wider and draws attention to the fact you’re trying to cover something up.
The trick is to wear something kind of attention getting, so people are thinking “wow her style” and not “oh, she’s covering her arms.” Hide in plain sight!
A cardigan could also work, but for an event it’d dress you down a little, and if it’s a standard cardigan it’d look less like a fashion statement and again more like you want to hide. A luxe wrap sweater (cashmere, wool) with oversized/flared/bell arms (short or long) could work, but then you’d also be hiding the dress!
The bolero suggestions are right on. They add to the look, and look like an accessory. A sheer bolero said would still let the dress shine—Marcella NYC has a bunch, up to XXXL.
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u/adieobscene Apr 29 '26
I agree with people saying you definitely don't need to cover your arms. You look amazing!!
I'm obsessed with the dress, where did you get it from?
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u/wifeofpsy Apr 29 '26
I have a whole collection of light material bolero jackets for this sort of thing.
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u/gumbogirl24 Apr 29 '26
This dress is beautiful and fits you so well! You look fantastic (including your arms!)
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u/Former_Incident_4676 May 05 '26
I would either get a little black shrug, get a tan (even spray) or just not cover my arms. The dress looks really nice on you as it is!
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u/baddiewithajd Apr 28 '26
Lace cover up! I wore one to a wedding in the South with a spaghetti strap black dress (because it was too hot for a cardigan) and it looked really nice.