How to Cover Fat Arms

As the warm summer months approach every year, women with plump arms fret over how to hide their flabby and untoned areas. Simple exercises for the biceps and triceps can help eliminate these problem areas, but you may not have the time to tone them away as much as you want. You can disguise the wiggles and jiggles on your arms year-round with a few smart clothing tips involving a simple understanding of flattering fashion.

A young woman is holding up a blue dress in a clothing store. (Image: RL Productions/Digital Vision/Getty Images)

Step 1

Avoid shirts and dresses with certain types of sleeves. If you have fat arms, sleeves that end anywhere between the elbow and shoulder leave your arms looking unattractive. Rather than covering up your arms, these types of sleeves actually draw attention to your untoned triceps. Cap sleeves, which barely cover the shoulder, are particularly unflattering to women with flabby arms because the cut tends to highlight the least attractive part of the upper arm.

Step 2

Wear shirts and dresses with long, three-quarter or elbow-length sleeves -- or no sleeves. By covering the upper arm completely, full- or elbow-length sleeves help hide unsightly arms. Although you may initially feel uncomfortable wearing a sleeveless top, this style is actually quite flattering on most women. Choose a sleeveless tank top cut close to the neck to reveal the subtle sexiness of your shoulder bones.

Step 3

Wear a slimming undershirt under your clothes to conceal your arms' bulges. Available in a wide range of styles and colors, slimming undergarments use specific fabrics and clothing technology to discreetly shape the arms and prevent them from appearing fat or flabby. In many cases, these slimming shirts can be worn alone or under shirts, sweaters, jackets and dresses.

Step 4

Get an instantly slimming effect by choosing shirts in dark colors, such as black or navy blue. Dark colors do not reflect much light, so wrinkles, curves and bulges in the fabric remain relatively hidden. Avoid shiny or sparkly black fabrics, which will only highlight your problem areas.

Step 5

Wear a jacket, shawl, shrug or cardigan to further cover your arms. Choose a color and style that complements your outfit. If you are wearing jeans and a casual blouse, opt for a lightweight denim jacket or chunky sweater. Pair a summer dress with a jersey knit cardigan in a matching color. To hide your arms in business attire, don a structured blazer. When you're in your swimsuit, cover your arms with a casual button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Matching your cover-up to your outfit is essential. If you wear the same black sweater over every outfit, it becomes obvious that you are simply trying to hide your arms.

Step 6

Enhance your outfit with bold accessories to draw attention away from your problem areas. Rather than constantly fretting about your arms, focus on highlighting your assets. If you are proud of your waist, wear an attention-grabbing belt. Emphasize your legs with a sexy pair of stilettos. A bold pair of earrings or a dramatic necklace can also draw attention away from your arms.