Roll up shirt sleeves neatly
But rolled-up shirt sleeves aren't just beneficial in hot weather. They're also practical and useful when washing hands, eating, or doing dirty work. This way, the sleeves don't get wet and/or dirty.
We'll show you different methods for turning a long-sleeved shirt into a short-sleeved shirt in no time and give you tips on what to keep in mind when rolling up the sleeves.
City shirt in navy by bugatti
Roll up your sleeves – when is it appropriate?
It's not always appropriate to roll up your sleeves. However, regardless of the occasion, it's often simply practical to roll them up for a short time to protect them from moisture, dirt, or dust.
In your own office, at all informal occasions, and especially during leisure time, rolled-up sleeves are no problem. A rolled-up shirt can look very stylish and casually elegant at a movie theater or a casual meeting in a bar, and it's a good alternative to a traditional T-shirt or polo shirt.
However, in midsummer temperatures, many offices already tolerate taking off their jackets and rolling up their shirt sleeves. This is, of course, provided the sleeves are rolled up properly and the overall appearance is appropriate.
Rolling up your sleeves – when is it not a good idea?
However, you should avoid wearing it during a meeting with your boss, an important presentation, or conversations with clients or business partners. Your counterpart could interpret this negatively and as a sign of disrespect.
However, this depends heavily on the industry you work in. Insurance and banking have stricter requirements than, for example, jobs in the advertising and fashion industries.
Rolling up sleeves is also inappropriate for all formal and festive occasions. It should be a given that sleeves should be left down at weddings, funerals, or cocktail parties.
Especially when jackets, blazers or vests are worn over the shirt, you should avoid rolled up sleeves.
In winter—when a warm coat is recommended outside—it's not really appropriate to walk around with your sleeves rolled up. You'd better avoid rolling them up.
How do you correctly turn up your shirt sleeves?
There are many different techniques for perfectly rolling up long-sleeved blouses or shirts. We'll introduce you to a few variations below.
1. The “clean” envelope – classic and accurate
First, open the buttons on the cuff of the sleeve.
Then fold the cuff up so that the fold is where the hem meets the sleeve.
Fold the sleeve once more, maintaining the same fold width.
Repeat the folding process until you are satisfied with the look.
When rolling up the shirt, make sure there are no creases. The edges should always line up perfectly.
Tip 1: Rigid fabrics do not slip as easily as thin and light fabrics.
Depending on the material your shirt is made of, you may want to attach the sleeve with a safety pin in a hidden place.
Tip 2: If your shirt doesn't have a cuff, you can instead fold the end of the sleeve evenly around the sleeve to a height of five to seven centimeters.
2. The extra high “clean” envelope
This technique is a variation of the "simple," neat turn-up. However, in this case, the buttons remain closed and the cuff is turned up over the elbow.
Tip: This version is particularly comfortable on hot days. The sleeve length is roughly equivalent to that of a short-sleeved shirt.
3. The elbow roll – casual and fashionable
Before turning the shirt, the lapel is completely unbuttoned and any cufflinks are removed
Next, the cuff is turned to the back and pulled up to the elbow. The sleeve is now turned to the wrong side.
Then fold the bottom edge of the sleeve upwards to the end of the cuff.
Depending on your taste, a piece of the cuff can remain visible or be completely hidden.
Tip: Especially with shirts in contrasting colors, it looks very stylish to let the end of the cuff peek out from the fold.
4. The underarm cuff – popular and fashionable
Open the buttons on your sleeve. If you're wearing cufflinks, remove them.
Next, the cuff is rolled back. It is turned backward so that the inside of the fabric is visible. The fold should be exactly where the shirt sleeve and the cuff meet.
Fold the sleeve once more. The second fold should be as wide as the first. This will make it look even and neat.
Finally, tuck in the corners to prevent the folded sleeves from slipping.
Tip 1: If your shirt is made of smooth, slippery fabric, you should secure the cuff with a safety pin.
Tip 2: This technique works great if you're wearing a sweater over your shirt. Push up the sweater sleeves before you start rolling up the shirt sleeves.
This is the best way to adjust the length of the sweater sleeves. They should end above the cuff.
In short: What should you pay attention to?
You should only roll up your shirt sleeves to the forearm or just above the elbow. This looks best.
Both sleeves should be rolled up evenly. One side should never be longer than the other.
Leave your shirt sleeves rolled up only as long as necessary. This protects the fabric and prevents it from becoming heavily creased.
Before washing or ironing, be sure to roll back the sleeves. Otherwise, unsightly creases will form.
Conclusion: Practice makes perfect – rolling up your sleeves isn’t that difficult
No matter which style you prefer, a neatly rolled-up shirt sleeve is business-appropriate, modern, and looks great. It's best to experiment with different techniques and find your favorite style(s).
At bugatti, you can discover fashionable business and casual shirts that are perfect for rolling up your shirt. Just browse our online selection.
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