Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Jacket Sleeves: To Scrunch or Not To Scrunch

"Thanks!" to Irene who suggested the following topic for a post: "jackets with scrunch-sleeves" look. Not only did she notice that J.Crew features a l-o-t of scrunched sleeves for their jackets (click here to check them all out), she even ran across an article over at You Look Fab (click here) about this very trend.

So, what do you think about this look? How do you feel about scrunching your sleeves? Fan or not?

I must admit, I tried this look a few times myself. But the reality is, I could not keep the jacket sleeves scrunched up for long. The sleeves kept falling down to its natural long-sleeve state. Also, it was really hard to move my elbows because of all the fabric crumpled-up right there. I ended up re-adjusting the scrunch every 5 minutes, making the look very hard to achieve.

I think I will just stick to rolling-up my sleeves for a similar look that I know will stay put. ;)

What are your thoughts on the "jackets with scrunch-sleeves" look? Are you a fan of this style? How do you wear this look? :)

Quick Poll: Do you like the "scrunch sleeves" look in general?

34 comments:

  1. i usually set in the crunch with a rubberband and hide it in there and it works!!
    enidp

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  2. Alexis you are so funny! I think there needs to be a utube video of someone trying to artfully rumple their sleeves, trying to make them stay up and then bend their elbows. I have the exact same problem... and then my husband says something like "finish putting on your jacket"--ha! Its like when my dad asked if I paid extra for the worn out spots on my jeans--so silly but it is fun in the pictures.

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  3. Whenever I wear long sleeves, I end up pushing the sleeves up anyhow, it just feels more comfortable to me!

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  4. Not a fan- It always looks to messy. I much prefer 3/4 length sleeves!

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  5. Enid P--great idea--I wonder if I can make it work without cutting off my circulation! I scrunch, roll, or shove a lot, partly because I am right between a petite and regular and don't always get my sleeves altered, partly because I don't like the feel of fabric around my wrists. For this reason I've been loving all the 3/4 and bracelet sleeves lately (though I know some are ready for that trend to be over).

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  6. You know why JCrew has their models scrunch the long sleeves a lot? Because their models are tall and JCrew's sleeves are too short!

    I'm 5'8 and their long sleeves are always way too short :(

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  7. Jenni, that's what I was going to say -- being super-long-armed myself, I assume they scrunch the sleeves because they're too short for the models. I like the look because it gives me a way to wear things I otherwise couldn't, but realistically they won't always stay scrunched in the right place (I need some J. Crew stylists to follow me around with safety pins all day).

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  8. Jenni and Lady Cardigan, bingo!
    :-) I am 5'10" and unless a jacket has a 3/4 sleeve or is made in Tall, the sleeves are always too short. I'd be very grateful if J.Crew could make more of their jackets in tall. I recently purchased the Lieutenant jacket and the sleeves are too short for me so I have to flip them up--the same way they're pushed up on each model I see wearing it on the site and in the catalog. I can tell by looking that the sleeves would be way too short for them too, if rolled down. Luckily the jacket is a nice fit for me otherwise.

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  9. My apologies if this was already mentioned, by Jenna Lyons is in a mini-layout in the May issue of Lucky for "Lucky How-To" on page 100. And it's so funny!! She has the Lieutenant jacket on in one style pose and she has the sleeves pushed way up! LOL :-) Jenna, I know you feel my pain, please ask them to make some jackets in Tall!

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  10. I'm one of those who love, love the look! I love 3/4 length sleeves, so I end up scrunching my jackets and sweater that are full length.

    I agree with Heidi. Now that I've invested in some more expensive jackets, I worry it may ruin it. But I love the look!

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  11. I like the look and wear it quite frequently. I have a pair of stretchy shirt sleeve bands that I got a couple years ago that hold the sleeves in place. They look like these . When you wear them you don't have to keep pushing up your sleeves, and they are hidden by the fabric of the shirt or blazer you have on. :)

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  12. It's ok for casual wear but I'd never do with a work suit. IMO it looks messy and, like other have said, it appears that the sleeves don't fit properly.

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  13. Heidi,
    I agree with you. Pushing up sweater sleeves only stretches them out and I find at 5'10" and even with my long arms the JCrew jackets, coats, and sweaters always fit me perfectly. I love that about JCrew. Everywhere else I shop the jackets, blazers and sweaters are too short in the arm length and JCrew has made them perfect for me over the past 8-10 years! So keep up the good work:) I prefer wearing my garments at full length:)

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  14. OT: Even though I have yet to get my April catalog I heard the May catalog will be sent starting sometime next week. Setting: Greece.

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  15. FFM, you are a source of endless fashion wisdom! Now I am going on the hunt for armbands!

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  16. Love the Topic... I forever push my sleeves up...just more comfortable for me and I love the more casual look. Thanks FFM...I too will be on the 'hunt' for shirt sleeve bands. Great tip. Any idea where to pick them up?

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  17. OT but I received both of the Marina striped shirts I had ordered yesterday and wanted to do a quick review of them.

    I purchased the blue striped Frances shirt last fall and it was one of my go-to pieces. When I saw this shirt, I was very interested as I like the idea of a less fussy blue and white shirt that was similar to my much loved Frances. I could not decide which color I preferred based on the pictures online, so I ordered both intending to keep my favorite.

    These shirts are made beautifully and I certainly cannot fault the construction. They fit TTS like other perfect shirts. The periwinkle is a pretty soft blue and the atlantic is a much darker color. The Frances is somewhere in between them colorwise.

    They are described online as "gauzy light washed cotton voile." I know what voile is, but still did not expect the shirts to be as sheer as they are. They will definitely require being worn over a cami where I often wear my striped Frances with just a nude bra. The fabric also has a slightly rough and stiff feel and is not as silky as most of my other perfect shirts.

    I didn't like the way the periwinkle looked on at all due to the sheerness of the fabric. The body looked like it was faded compared to the placket, cuffs and collar which appear to be much darker as they are much thicker. The atlantic appears much more consistently colored.

    I would say that if you missed out on the Frances or wanted something less busy, the darker of these would be a good substitute. Personally, I like my ruffled blouse so much better that I am not planning on keeping either of these.

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  18. OT, but can anyone tell me ... if there's something I want to buy that's not sold in store, if I order it via the red phone, do I get to skip out on shipping charges? It's just a $30 top and I want 2 of them, but no way am I paying $12.50 for $60 worth of tops! TIA.

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  19. RING-A-LING ladies, the shirts I just inquired about went down $5 in price compared with an hour ago ... as Wal-Mart likes to say, Watch Out for Falling Prices! lol

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  20. Weekenders clothing used to sell the armbands but they went out of business very suddenly about a year ago. I personally would find any type of arm band super annoying. I rarely push up my sleeves as others like Heidi and Summer noted I don't like to stretch out my sweaters and don't like things bunched around my arms.

    I just knew about the arm bands b/c of Weekenders clothes being sold by familyl and friends. Maybe there are some on eBay?

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  21. Elaine,
    No shipping charges when you use the red phone on full price items only. You will be charged shipping on sale items using the red phone in stores.

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  22. I'm a big combo roll/scruncher, haha! I don't like the way long sleeves look on me, so I always scrunch everything, except for my coats. I roll up the sleeve once (or twice for thinner materials like cardigan or tee sleeves) and then scrunch the rest. I've been doing this forever and haven't ruined any jackets/cardis/tees yet. If I just unroll it and steam it a bit, the sleeves are good as new.

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  23. ENID P. thanks for the interesting tip. I can't wait to try!! I have met with a PS and since I am so petite she says it helps lift the eye and make me look taller. Who knows, but at 5'0 I will do all I can to look taller. :)

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  24. Thanks Genny, that's what I thought. Ah well, I've had those tees in my cart for so long now that I must really want them, so I bit the bullet and ordered. :-D BTW I may head to SouthPoint later today; will let you know if they have any goodies!

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  25. Thanks Genny, that's what I thought. Ah well, I've had those tees in my cart for so long now that I must really want them, so I bit the bullet and ordered. :-D BTW I may head to SouthPoint later today; will let you know if they have any goodies!

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  26. Hi Alisha and Irene! I got my bands at a jewelry party, and my mother purchased a couple pair at one of the higher end department stores a few years ago. I did find a couple of sites selling them for men, so you might email about the sizing to see if they would work for women (I think they probably would). Find and Dandy Shop.com and Tom Sawyer Waistcoats . There are numerous UK sellers on Ebay that have them listed, as well. I think I would also check a store such as Michael's or Joanne Fabrics, and possibly one that sells or rents tuxedos...maybe even a bridal shop?

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  27. Summer, ITA that JCrew's (and BR's) sleeves tend to be a little bit longer than average. Unfortunately, even though I'm a little over 5'7", I have stubby arms, so the jacket sleeves are usually a touch too long for me.

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  28. I agree with Enid P. A rubberband or elastic works wonders! I do the same thing to keep sleeves up. I use the black Ouchless hair ties from Goody. They work well and do not cut off your circulation.

    I wear a 2 in J. Crew blazers and sometimes the sleeves are very slim, it's impossible to roll it up to your elbow. OR the lining is silky and it falls down. I end up rolling it up as much as I can, then securing it with an elastic (hidden under the folded fabric).

    This is off-topic but the word-verification for my comment is FRIESS! Guess what I am craving for lunch.

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  29. Such a funny topic. I'm really glad you posted this Alexis. I can never get a scrunch to stay and usually end folding or rolling. I'm going to give FFM's armbands a try.

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  30. Thanks for the post, Alexis ;)! Being 5'1", sleeves on most cardigans, shirts, and jackets are always going to be a tad long unless I order from the Petite section, so sometimes I have no choice but to fold or roll up the sleeves. Sometimes 3/4 sleeves are just right for me haha. I would have never thought to use a rubber band or hair-tie to hold the sleeves up! I always thought it's easy to pull off the scrunched sleeve look if you're just modeling; but what if you're at work for 9 hours?!

    Thanks all for the great tips :)

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  31. kitsmommy-

    Thanks for the review.

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