
5 Ways to Fix Sleeves That Are Too Long
- Wear Another Layer. This works best in cooler seasons, but it can be done in spring and summer as well. ...
- Roll Up Your Sleeves. With increasingly casual workplaces, most business casual professionals can get away with rolling up their sleeves everyday.
- The Faux French Cuff. If your sleeves are really long — like several inches past your wrist — try this trick. ...
- Try Sleeve Garters. Sleeve garters are an old school accessory that you really don’t see much anymore. That said, old-timey accessories always seem to come back into style eventually.
- Get Them Tailored. This is the best way to deal with sleeves that are too long on shirts you already own. ...
What to do when your dress shirt sleeves are too long?
Shirt arm clips will add a touch of elegance to any dress shirt outfit. Although going to a tailor can be expensive, it’s a good option for when your shirt sleeves are too long. A skilled tailor understands how to get the correct dress shirt sleeve length and it will look better than any attempt made at home.
How do you alter coat sleeve length?
If you want to alter your coat sleeve length because they are too long for you, you would be glad to hear that it is a fairly easy process you can do yourself. All you need are basic sewing skills and a needle and thread or sewing machine. First, put on your jacket so that you can accurately determine the desired sleeve length.
How long should jacket sleeves be?
The jacket’s sleeves should be long enough to completely cover the buttons of the shirt cuff. Jacket sleeve too long, falling past the shirt cuff. If the jacket sleeves cover your palms when your arms are relaxed at your sides, you will want to decrease the jacket sleeve length.
What to do when your sleeve cuff is too tight?
Also, for when the sleeve cuff become too tight to push up if you button it the normal way – the elastic band keeps it together but offers stretch right at that junction! 2. Achieve an effortless “pushed up” sleeve look This is a great trick if you have a blazer, sweater or coat with sleeves that are too oversized or long.

How do you fix too long coat sleeves?
Simply fold the sleeves at the desired length and mark the new folded line with a pin. Check the new length when the arm is bent. Also, the coat should be buttoned up. Always measure twice because you can only cut once and there is no way to uncut it.
How can I make my coat sleeves shorter?
Remove any buttons on the cuffs and put aside. Using the seam ripper, unpick the cuff seam. Ensure the cuffs are laid flat, then use tailor's chalk to mark how much to shorten the sleeves – above the original cuff fold line. Carefully cut off the excess sleeve length.
How can I shorten my jacket sleeves without cutting them?
2:547:25How to shorten sleeves on a jacket or coat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen i'm folding the sleeve like this so that both layers form something like a cuff i'm going toMoreThen i'm folding the sleeve like this so that both layers form something like a cuff i'm going to pin them together fold the same amount of the main and the lining sleeve. And make a seam at the mark.
How do you shorten long sleeves without sewing?
0:155:20No-Sew Suit Sleeve Adjusting Hack | How To Adjust Sleeves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere we go pull that apart. And then usually there's a tack right here sometimes you have to openMoreThere we go pull that apart. And then usually there's a tack right here sometimes you have to open up the lining to open it but a lot of the times you can just pull it. And it'll break right off.
How much does it cost to shorten jacket sleeves?
2 - Sleeve length shortening / lengthening Depending on whether the jacket sleeve can be taken up/down from the end or from the shoulder, adjusting the sleeve length can be cheap or expensive. Expect to pay from $30 to $60 to adjust from the end and in the range of $100 to adjust from the shoulder.
How do you alter too big sleeves?
0:463:20How to Fix Oversized Sleeves and Make Them More Tailored - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInstead of using a seam ripper to remove the hem of the sleeves i actually just trim it off using aMoreInstead of using a seam ripper to remove the hem of the sleeves i actually just trim it off using a fabric scissor. Because the hem is really narrow.
How long should women's coat sleeves be?
Jacket and long sleeves should usually end just below the wrist bone for most women. A too short sleeve makes your arms look longer and that you've outgrown the garment. A too long sleeve makes the arms look short and that the garment is too large for you.
Can a tailor shorten jacket sleeves?
Narrowing, Lengthening, and Shortening Sleeves – YES Narrowing ones that are too large around the arms is an easy alteration. Making sleeves slightly longer or shorter, say by a 1/2″ or so, is also a fairly routine procedure.
Can a tailor shorten sleeves?
Shorten Sleeves If you want to save the placket you can have your tailor shorten the sleeves from the shoulder, but it'll be more expensive.
How do you hem a wool coat sleeve?
Just like shortening the coat's length, they will cut the sleeve with proper fabric allowance to allow for a new hem. They will take the stitching out of the sleeves, cut the new length, sew around the folded edge, and you will have the perfect new sleeves!
How much cuff should a jacket sleeve show?
The jacket sleeve length should never pass the heel of your palm regardless of how much shirt cuff you choose to show. Jacket sleeve showing about 0.5″ of shirt cuff. This is considered almost universally appropriate.
Where is the sleeve of a jacket measured?
The Jacket Sleeve Length is measured from the top of the sleeve, where the armhole meets the shoulder seam, down to the end of the jacket sleeve. The Shirt Sleeve Length is taken from the center back of the shoulder, at the base of the neck just under the shirt collar, extending to the shoulder seam and down the arm to the end of the sleeve cuff.
How should a jacket fit?
How It Should Fit: Above your wrists, never past the heel of your palm. The Proper Cloth rule of thumb holds that a jacket sleeve should expose 0.25”- 0.50” of your dress shirt cuff for a stylish, universally appropriate look. If your personal style is more on the traditional or classic side or you’re wearing the jacket in a more conservative ...
Can you have two different sleeve lengths for a jacket?
If your arms are not the same length or your shoulders are a bit uneven, we can set two different sleeve lengths for your jacket size.
Do you need to decrease the length of a jacket sleeve?
If the jacket sleeves cover your palms when your arms are relaxed at your sides, you will want to decrease the jacket sleeve length . Gentlemen who have a more classic style or want to show little to no cuff can use the end of the shirt sleeve as reference.
How to conceal a blazer with long sleeves?
It also works well for achieving a laid back, effortless look. Simply put a hair elastic around your wrists over the sleeves, tug your sleeve upward from the elbow area and fold / tuck the fabric over the elastic band to conceal it .
How to stretch a button cuff?
Loop a small clear elastic through the button hole and around the button, then push the sleeves up above the elbow if desired. This works especially well on slinkier, drapey fabrics that don’t usually stay put. Also, for when the sleeve cuff become too tight to push up if you button it the normal way – the elastic band keeps it together but offers stretch right at that junction!
How to shorten a coat with lining?
To shorten a coat with lining, first, you need to determine the new length that you want and mark the new line using chalk at the bottom. Then, step back 3 cm below the top and cut off the fabric along with the inner lining. Remember to leave a 3 cm allowance for your coat hem.
How to alter a coat that is too big?
If you wish to alter a coat that is too big for you, this is one of the easiest ways to do so. First, find a place where you will be able to open up the lining of your coat. Generally, people open up the lining along the side seams as well as the bottom of the coat. Turn the coat inside out, button it up. Increase the se am allowances and pin it up ...
Can You Alter Trench Coats?
If you have a trench coat that is too large or tight for you, you don’t need to give it away because they can be altered. First, see if you can move the buttons. However, don’t move the buttons too far from their original positions as this can throw off the balance of the design. As a rule of thumb, buttons aren’t usually moved more than three-eighths of an inch.
Can you Alter Sport Coat?
Sport coats can be altered too if you are not satisfied with how it fits you. Like suit coats, sport coats are structured heavily around the shoulders, which can make alterations involving the shoulders a little difficult. For this reason, it is imperative that a sport coat is altered by an excellent tailor.
How Much Does it Cost to Alter a Coat?
The cost of altering a coat differs depending on how much alteration is required. For instance, only shortening the sleeves will be much cheaper than adjusting the entire width of the coat to make it fit better on you.
How to make a coat smaller?
Turn the coat inside out, button it up. Increase the seam allowances and pin it up around the midsection and anywhere else where you can find an existing seam. After this, sew up the seams as well as the lining carefully . You now have yourself a smaller coat.
Why do people want to alter their coat collars?
In most cases, people want to alter their coat collar because it’s too big for their liking.
Where should short sleeves end?
Irrespective of what you're wearing (T-shirt, polo, casual button-up) if your shirt has short sleeves, they should end at the middle of your bicep. Longer sleeves look sloppy and shorter alternatives end up appearing effeminate.
Why don't shirt sleeves cover the hand?
The reason they don't is because of how tightly the cuff fits. The extra length of the sleeve means that there will be little-to-no movement on the wrist when the arms are raised.
What is the best length for a sweater?
The ideal length of a layering sweater is just a hair longer than your jacket sleeves and still shorter than your button-ups. If you can’t accomplish that kind of precision, it’s best to have your sweaters fall shorter than the sportcoat or suit jacket – meaning people who see your wrists will only see the two layers.
How long should a sleeve arm be?
If you want to have the best of both worlds, it's imperative that the sleeve arm is long enough to reach beyond the wrist and that the cuff circumference is tight enough that it will prevent the sleeve from falling onto the hand.
What are the factors that determine the proper fit of a sleeve?
There are two key factors in getting this proper fit – the length of the sleeve arm and the circumference of the cuff.
What is a layering sweater?
Layering sweaters are usually of a lighter weight and are made for – you guessed it – layering. For most men this means things like V-necks and cardigans.
How to measure for custom shirts?
When measuring for custom shirts I will measure about a third of the way onto the back of the hand to make sure I have enough length for when the man's arms are up in front of him. When measuring the cuff, unlike any other circumference measurement , I take the wrist measurement exactly (without a finger in there for breathing room), although I will give extra allowance on the man's preferred watch hand.
So, How Long Should Sleeves Be?
If you’re unsure of how long your sleeves should be, simply follow these steps:
Rolling Sleeves
If your dress shirt sleeves too long one way to get the correct shirt sleeve length is to simply roll your sleeves back. This takes minimal effort and looks super casual. It’s also highly practical and you’ll find that your sleeves won’t get in the way so much – convenient if you’re eating, washing your hands or working in a hot office.
On That Note
Shortening your shirt sleeves can be great, no matter what the season. Remember to mix it up and don’t always stick to the same styles. Rolling your sleeves is suitable for any occasion, dependent upon the type you go for.
