Keep Your T-Shirt Sleeves Rolled Up: Quick And Easy Tricks

Keeping your t-shirt sleeves rolled up can be a stylish way to keep cool or prepare for work. There are several ways to do this, depending on the situation. For a casual look, you can do a forearm roll by unbuttoning the cuff, flipping it back and inside out, and folding it over once. For a more stylish look, you can do the master sleeve roll by unbuttoning the cuff, flipping it back and inside out, and pulling the sleeve up to just below your elbow. Then, fold the bottom of the inside-out portion up until it traps the bottom of the cuff. You can also use a sleeve garter or elastic band to keep your sleeves in place.

The Master Roll

• First, unbutton all the buttons on your cuff and sleeve, including the gauntlet buttons. The gauntlet buttons are the smaller buttons along the split in your sleeve above the cuff.
• Next, flip the cuff inside out and fold it up about one inch (2.5 cm) past your elbow. You can adjust the height of the cuff according to your preference, keeping in mind that a higher roll is typically considered more casual.
• Now, flip the inside-out sleeve upward so that the edge almost covers the cuff. You can adjust how much of the cuff is visible above the fold. If the inside of your cuff has a contrasting colour or design, you may want to let a full third of it show as it creates a stylish, attention-grabbing look.
• Finally, repeat the fold on your other sleeve, ensuring that the height of the roll and the amount of cuff exposed are the same as the first sleeve.

The Basic Roll

• Unbutton the shirt cuff and any gauntlet buttons. The gauntlet button is the smaller button on the split of the sleeve near the cuff.
• Flip the cuff back inside out.
• Fold back, using the cuff to set the width.
• Continue folding until the band of rolled cloth is just below your elbow.
• Continue past your elbow if you'll be engaged in physical labour.

Make sure both rolls look equally crisp and clean to show that you made an intentional stylistic choice.

The High Roller

• Lay your shirt down on a flat surface.
• Fold your sleeve about a cuff's width.
• Follow the same step a second time, covering the folded portion of the cuff.
• Roll the sleeve a third and fourth time to cover the entire cuff.

The Garter Roll

How to do the Garter Roll:

First, you will need to get a sleeve garter or a sleeve band. You can also use a rubber band or a hair tie in its place, but make sure it is not too tight and that it does not cut off circulation. Place the garter or band a few inches above your elbow or around your mid-bicep. If your sleeves are long, place the band slightly lower so that you have room to adjust. Pull the band and your sleeve a few inches up your arm; no folding or rolling is required for this method. You can also fold the excess fabric over the garter for a cleaner look.

History of the Garter Roll:

Sleeve garters were popular in the early 20th century when dress shirts often didn't have buttons on the cuffs, and it was challenging to find sleeves in various lengths. New York restaurant waiters in the 1960s used this method to secure their rolled-up sleeves. The sleeve band then regained popularity after soccer player David Beckham used them to give his sleeves a slim and neat appearance.

Tips:

• Garters are a great way to secure your sleeves and will make your sleeve-rolling a lot easier.
• They also give you a retro and unique look.
• You can also use a garter inside a classic, basic, or master roll to hold it in place.
• Keep your accessories simple when wearing a sleeve garter as it is a bold statement piece.

The Casual Forearm Roll

• Unbutton the cuff and any gauntlet buttons further up the sleeve.
• Flip the cuff back and inside out.
• Fold over once, hiding the cuff behind a band of sleeve fabric.
• Stop there and tuck in the corners of the cuff neatly.

The result should be a single small roll around the middle of your forearm. This roll doesn't need to be tight as it is already as far down the arm as it will go.

Frequently asked questions