Can I Roll Up My Sleeves With a Tie

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Rolling up your shirt sleeves is a great way to cool off when it's hot or give your outfit a casual, effortless vibe. Whether you're going for a basic, easygoing look or want a bit a flair, rolling up cuffed shirt sleeves is easy once you know what to do. You can even roll up T-shirt or sweater sleeves, but you may need to secure them so they don't slide down your arms all day.

1. 1

   Loosen the buttons on the cuff of your shirt or blouse. Double check for extra buttons on the cuff. While some dress shirts only have 1 button on the cuff, others have extra gauntlet buttons along the sleeve's forearm.^[1]

   • Unbuttoning the cuff buttons will help prevent your sleeves from being too tight when you roll them.

2. 2

   Fold the cuff at the line where it means your sleeve. Roll back your cuff once so it's inside-out over your wrist. If your cuffs are stiff, be sure not to fold them in half. Folding a crisp cuff in half can create a permanent crease.^[2]

   • If your shirt's made of a softer fabric, you could fold the cuff in half to make the roll thinner. Just keep in mind a full-cuff roll usually looks better, and folding the cuff in half could make the end result look bulky.

3. 3

   Roll your sleeve over the cuff. Fold a band of sleeve fabric that's about as wide as your cuff over your wrist. The idea is to roll the fabric over the cuff to create a new, precise end for the sleeve. As you make the fold, use your thumb to tuck your cuff under the band of sleeve fabric.^[3]

   • Do your best to fold your sleeve carefully to prevent lumps and wrinkles.

4. 4

   Keeping folding until you reach the middle of your forearm. Continue rolling cuff-width bands of sleeve up your forearm. After each fold, smooth out and straighten your sleeve so it's not too lumpy or bulky. Stop rolling your sleeve once you've reached your middle or upper forearm.^[4]

   • If you stop before you reach the middle of your forearm, your roll might be too loose. On the other hand, don't roll your sleeve up above your elbow or it may look too bulky.
   • Alternatively, fold the cuff up an inch or so more from where you normally would fold it, then push the sleeve solidly up your forearm and scrunch it up. This lets the cuff stand out in a cool, casual way.^[5]

   Tip: If you're rolling up your sleeves to work with your hands and avoid dirtying your shirt, it's fine to go above your elbows. It'll be easier to work that way, and it won't really matter if the rolls look bulky.

5. 5

   Repeat the steps on your other sleeve. Unfasten your buttons, flip your cuff, and fold a band of sleeve fabric up your other forearm. Make sure you roll both sleeves up to the same point so they look symmetrical.^[6]

   • Rolling up your sleeves is a particularly nice style choice for a petite person, because by showing a little more skin you're preventing yourself from looking overwhelmed by your clothes.^[7]
   • If the rolled sleeves look too thick, carefully loosen them and make the folds slightly wider. That way, less fabric will be bunched up in each fold and the end result will look less bulky.
   • If you just want a quick fix or need to cool down, a basic, casual roll is your best bet. On the other hand, if you want a little flair, there are some other options you can try.

1. 1

   Unfasten each button on your sleeve cuff. Avoid leaving them buttoned since it will make your rolled sleeves too tight. Make sure you get all of the buttons, including any that are higher up along the forearm.^[8]

2. 2

   Pull the cuff up your arm until it's 1 inch (2.5 cm) above your elbow. Instead of just folding your cuff where it meets the sleeve, take it all the way up until it's just past your elbow. Flip the cuff back over your wrist so it's inside-out, then pull it up the length of your forearm.^[9]

   • As you pull the cuff past your elbow, you'll turn your sleeve inside-out. Your elbow and upper forearm should still be covered by some of the inside-out sleeve below the cuff.
   • When you roll up your sleeves to about three quarter sleeve length, they can subtly call attention to your waist by putting another line near your waistline.^[10]

3. 3

   Fold the bottom edge of your sleeve up over the cuff. Neatly fold the extra length of inside-out sleeve over itself neatly until you've reached the cuff at your elbow. Stop folding once you've covered the bottom of the cuff with the folded sleeve. For a stylish look, leave about a third of the cuff, or about 1 inch (2.5 cm), peeking out of the top of the roll.^[11]

   • Straighten and smooth the sleeve as you roll to avoid lumps and extra bulk.
   • Make sure the cuff and folded sleeve cover your elbow and a bit of your upper forearm. Depending on your preferences, you can let more or less of the cuff peek out from the folded sleeve.

   Variation: You could also tuck the folded sleeve fabric under the cuff to expose it completely. Fold the sleeve up your forearm, pull it under the cuff, and tuck back a bit of the cuff's corners so it stays flipped inside-out. Then, if necessary, straighten the cuff and flatten out any bumps or bulk.

4. 4

   Repeat the process to roll your other shirt sleeve. Bring your other cuff up to the same point on your arm as you did on the first sleeve. Look in a mirror, check that your sleeves' lengths match, and make sure the rolls don't look too thick.^[12]

   • Additionally, make sure the same amount of cuff is poking out on each side.
   • Sometimes called the Italian Roll, this style looks especially great when the cuff's inside lining is a different color than the rest of the shirt. The contrasting colors can create a striking accent and add interest to your outfit.

1. 1

   Find 2 rubber bands or hair ties. Look for rubber bands or elastics that are big enough to fit comfortably around your forearm without cutting off your circulation. Just make sure they're tight enough to stay in place.^[13]

   • Folding up sweater sleeves can look bulky and feel uncomfortable. Often, they don't stay in place, and you'll probably find yourself messing with them after they slip back down your arms. Elastics are the perfect way to keep your sleeves in place all day.
   • Fabric hair elastics are more comfortable and less constricting than rubber bands.

2. 2

   Slide one of the bands over your sweater sleeve and forearm. Position the elastic around the middle of your forearm. Don't worry if your sweater bunches a bit around the band—you'll drape extra fabric over the band later to hide it.^[14]

   • If the band feels too tight, try to find a bigger one so you don't end up cutting off your circulation.

3. 3

   Roll the end of your sleeve up over the band. Bring the end of the sleeve up far enough so that the fold lines up with the rubber band underneath it. If the roll is too thick, try moving the band closer to your wrist. If it's too small, move the band higher up on your forearm.^[15] {{greenbox:Variation: If you find the folded cuff bulky, pull the sleeve up to a comfortable point on your arm. Slide the extra fabric through the elastic (toward your upper arm), then use the bunched fabric to disguise the band.^[16]

4. 4

   Continue to roll your sleeve up until you're satisfied with the length. When you've reached your desired length, fold the sleeve up to create a 2 or 3 inch (5.1 or 7.6 cm) cuff. Then tuck the cuff over the elastic to disguise it. Try to avoid folding the sleeve above your elbow, especially if your sweater is large and thick, or the roll might look too bulky.^[17]

   • When you're finished, the band should hold your sleeve in place so it doesn't slide down your arm throughout the day.

5. 5

   Repeat the steps with your other sweater sleeve. Position the band at the same point on your forearm so your sleeves are symmetrical. Then, roll up your sleeve to the same point on your arm as you did with the other one so they're the same length.

   • Check in a mirror when you're finished to make sure both of your sweater sleeves match and don't look too bulky.

1. 1

   Fold up the hem of your T-shirt sleeve. Make the fold along the line that separates the hem from the rest of your sleeve. Depending on how thick your T-shirt is, you may need to hold the hem in place after you fold it.^[18]

   • If you're wearing a T-shirt that doesn't have hemmed sleeves, just fold the edge of the sleeve up about 1 inch (2.5 cm).

2. 2

   Continue to roll up your sleeve until it's as long as you want it. Try to make each roll the same width as the hem of your sleeve so the roll lays as flat and evenly as possible.

   • The length you make your sleeves is a matter of preference. For big, boxy T-shirts, you may need to roll up the sleeves more than you would for a small, fitted T-shirt.
   • If you're wearing a T-shirt made out of a thick, stiff fabric, your sleeves might stay up on their own. Otherwise, you may need to secure them in place.

3. 3

   Use a safety pin to hold your sleeve in place if it doesn't stay rolled up. Start by taking a small safety pin and inserting it through one of the inner layers of the roll. Then, pass the safety pin through your sleeve and close it to hold the roll in place.^[19]

   • Attach the safety pin to the part of your sleeve that rests over your armpit so it's hidden. Try to use the folded fabric to hide the pin.

   Tip: Take your T-shirt off before you use the safety pin so it's easier and you don't accidentally poke yourself.

4. 4

   Try securing the roll with an elastic band if you don't have a safety pin. To use a rubber band, start by unrolling your T-shirt sleeve to expose the hem. Then, wrap a hair elastic or rubber band over your sleeve and bicep so it's lined up with the top edge of the hem. Finally, roll your sleeve up as normal. The rubber band will hold your sleeve in place so it doesn't unroll.^[20]

   • Make sure the band you use is big enough to fit around your arm without cutting off your circulation.

5. 5

   Do the same thing with your other sleeve. Roll it up to the same point on your arm so your sleeves match. If you used a safety pin or rubber band to secure the roll on your other sleeve, do the same thing on this sleeve.

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• Question

  How do I keep my dress shirt sleeves rolled up?

  

  Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley.

  

  Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker

  Expert Answer

  

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  Push your folded or scrunched up cuffs all the way up your forearm! To avoid the clean but somewhat stiff look of exclusively folded up sleeves, fold the cuff back an inch or so further than you normally would, then push and scrunch it the rest of the way up your forearm.

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• As a rule of thumb, it's best not to roll a sports coat or jacket cuff. One exception is a denim jacket with buttoned cuffs. In that case, just flip up the cuff once so its inside lining faces out. If there are extra sleeve or gauntlet buttons, leave them fastened.^[21]

• In addition to helping you cool off, rolling up your sleeves is a good way to put others at ease. Rolled sleeves, for instance, can make your work outfit feel less stuffy. Just make sure it's in keeping with office dress code!^[22]

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Article SummaryX

To roll up your shirt sleeves in a classic cuff, unbutton all of the buttons on the cuff of your shirt and fold the cuff over once. Then, fold the cuff over again to start the roll. Keep folding the cuff until you reach your mid or upper forearm. After each fold, smooth out and straighten your sleeve so it's not too lumpy or bulky! Finally, roll up your other sleeve the same way, taking care to roll both sleeves up to the same point so they look symmetrical. For tips on creating a slightly more stylish cuff, read on!

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Can I Roll Up My Sleeves With a Tie

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