For better or worse, men’s clothing has gotten a lot more lady-like since the start of the 21st century. Since the dawn of this brave new age, we’ve witnessed the proliferation of pink and floral, the advent of slim fit shirts and guy girdles, and the birth of the manpri. Now, adding another nail to John Wayne’s coffin, we present the latest thing making its way from the women’s department to men’s store shelves: the three-quarter length sleeve.
In the past, we saw the three-quarter length sleeves on men’s shirts in fashion shows every now and again; but to the general public, they just didn’t seem right for anyone except softball players. This season though we’ve seen them in a big way on the street as “vintage” clothing. Could the three-quarter sleeve shirt transcend it’s lacy upbringing and become the next big thing in men’s throw-back fashion? It certainly seems that way.
Sure, three-quarter sleeves have some natural advantages over other arm covering alternatives. They span the seasons with ease, allow for a wide range of movement and offer a greater degree of comfort than traditional long and short sleeve shirts. They can even disguise or hide upper arm flaws (darkened elbow and flabby arms), or calls attention to your new watch or bracelet – hence why women love to wear them.
However, would you want to wear a three-quarter sleeve dress shirt to the office, especially during a conference with the big boss? Or maybe during a job interview? You probably know the answer to that one already. After years of only seeing them on women’s blouses and other flowing tops, the three-quarter sleeve has its work cut out for it when it comes to professional men’s wear.
For those hoping to make an after-hours fashion statement though, the three-quarter sleeve shirts can be great for casual occasions, especially if you’re trying to add a hip modern/retro twist to your outfit. The best examples we’ve seen so far usually feature dark or neutral colors with stripes, super thin collars and cuffs and recall the mod dandies of Thatcher-era England (when being mod was already retro), all without being too girly. If you can’t find this kind of shirt at your local shopping center, any custom tailor can probably work with you to create a special order.
Overall, the three-quarter sleeve shirt is actually one of the cooler women’s fashion designs to make its way to the world of men’s shirts. While we don’t want to discourage people from wearing what they feel comfortable in, remember there is a time and a place for every shirt, no matter how masculine or feminine.
Tags: Advice, Details, Retro Fashion, Sleeves, Spring Fashion
