We all have things we don't necessarily love about ourselves. Not only are there ways to accentuate the things we like, there are also ways to fool or trick the eye into covering our insecurities.
Not so crazy about your skinny or small arms? There's a fix for that, and not just one that involves hitting the gym or the weight room.
You can appear a bit more muscular in short-sleeved shirts by following these six rules from Brian Boye, former style and grooming director at Men’s Health and current Vice President at Nike Communications.
T-Shirts
Because sometimes you've gotta keep it casual.
1. Eliminate extra fabric.
"You don’t want the sleeve fabric to overwhelm your biceps," Boye advises. "Proportion is key. The tighter the sleeve, the bigger your arm looks."
Use the two-finger rule as a guide. If you can fit more than two fingers between your arm and the sleeve, the shirt’s too big.
2. Read the tag.
Boye recommends choosing T-shirts that contain a small percentage of stretch mixed with cotton.
"This will help the shirt cling to your biceps," Boye says.
3. Go down a size.
Some men can’t bring themselves to buy anything under a large. The loose sleeves may overpower your arms, though, Boye explains.
Put aside your pride and put on a medium or small. It'll instantly make your arms look bigger.
Our Picks
Some websites offer shirts in regular, tall, slim, and muscle fits, so you can find a style that is a match for your torso and your arms. Usually a muscle fit means a smaller or tighter sleeve, which in this case will trick the eye into seeing a bigger arm.
Dress Shirts
When a t-shirt and jeans just won't cut it.
1. Pick the right fit.
If you want your arms to look as big as possible in the boardroom or the bar, opt for slim fit, modern fit, or a fitted, tailored cut.
"These are slimmer in the body and sleeves, and proportionally look better on skinny arms and frames," Boye says. "Avoid classic fit, which is roomier in both the body and the sleeve."
2. Show some skin.
Roll up your shirt just past your elbow.
"The cuff will add heft to your biceps, giving the illusion of larger arms," Boye explains.
3. Less is more.
If you can grab a handful of fabric or more on your sleeve while wearing it, you’re doing your arms a disservice. It’s a sign you need a smaller size or a slimmer fit, Boye says.
Our Picks
Choose a shirt that's designed with a slimmer fit through the chest, armholes, and sides. That means it will hug your body and make your arms appear that much bigger while still fitting true-to-size.
