Short Sleeves or Rolled Up Long Sleeves?

[Larry124]

From the Uniform Dress pages referenced in the “Highland Regiment regulations” Topic.

For “Dress - Ceremonial (Shirt Sleeve Order)” the Regimental blue shirt is pictured as long sleeve with the sleeves rolled to above the elbow.

Thanks for rekindling an old debate in my house!

[Disclaimer: Tongue-in-cheek]

My family for many many years has been sadly divided -- There are those who believe that a collared button-front “business” shirt in white or a light color MUST have long sleeves. The sleeves may be rolled up in summer. Short sleeve shirts of this type are for children and scientists/engineers or perhaps busboys only.

And there are those who think otherwise.

The long sleeve preference may (arguably) be a hold-over from an (obsolescent?) earlier style whereby a man ALWAYS wore or carried a (suit or sport coat) jacket. In that style a shirt is an item of under-dress or "middle-wear" (under a jacket or coat). It would be unthinkable to put a coat or jacket on over short sleeves.

And perhaps he would always wear or carry a vest (waistcoat) as well. No man would think of wearing short sleeves with a vest – a terrible look.

One of the things that dates a black and white photograph of an urban summer scene from the 1920’s – 1940’s (‘50’s?) is that to modern eyes the males appear to be overdressed. Always a hat or cap, shorts pants never, etc. No athletic shoes, no sandals. No such animal as a T-shirt. “Henley” shirts were undergarments.
Golf shirts were for golf and polo shirts were for polo.

Sorry, I’m getting carried away here…

Do you generally prefer short sleeves or rolled up long sleeves?

[Jock Scot]

I am a long sleeve chap. In my neck of the woods, I like the option of rolling my sleeves up for the odd hour of sun and rolling them down when the inevitable rain arrives or when the midgies attack.

[Jack Daw]

I wear a business suit with tie to the office every day, but casual Fridays. My shirt is a pin-point oxford, 100% cotton LONG SLEEVE. The only shirt design that varies is whether I wear a tabbed, button-down or free flat collar. The color is primarily white, but I do have a couple of blue and a cream.

When I get to my desk, I hang-up the worthless jacket and sometimes roll up my shirt sleeves, but not always. It's worth rolling up the sleeves b/c my wristwatch tends to fray the cuff over time. I can't remember ever seeing anyone at the bank wearing a tie and short-sleeve shirt.

The only time I wear a short sleeve with a tie is when I am piping. I wear a piper's (safari) short-sleeve shirt and a plain tie, or a tie with a muted pattern. The reason for this short-sleeve is that it is so bleeding hot at some of the Highland Games here in the SW that I just can't stand to go about in long sleeves...especially piping.

For casual, sports shirts can be short sleeves in the summer and long sleeves in the winter. I used to like to wear golf-style shirts, but I got tired of them. I've gotten in the habit of wearing long-sleeve tech shirts in the summer because they are rather cool, but I roll up the sleeves to mid-forearm.

[Bugbear]

I do wear "those" short sleeve shirts in the summer. I think I have a white one and a light blue one. I do wear a tie with them, but also open-collared, as well. Most of my button down shirts are long sleeve, though, and I roll up the sleeves if needed.

Not sure what my problem is, but perhaps child and scientist go hand in hand sometimes.

[Howard Clark]

Ted said:

but perhaps child and scientist go hand in hand sometimes.

Hey ! I resemble that remark.

I like long sleeved shirts almost all of the time if I am trying to look nice. Working in the forge shop is another thing entirely.

[Panache]

This is just my personal preference but I absolutely loathe short sleeve dress shirts. A short sleeve safari shirt or other casual shirt is fine.

To me a dress shirt must be long sleeved.

Those short sleeve versions give me the fashion heebie jeebies!



Cheers

Jamie

[Derek Conley]

This is just my personal preference but I absolutely loathe short sleeve dress shirts. A short sleeve safari shirt or other casual shirt is fine.

To me a dress shirt must be long sleeved.

Those short sleeve versions give me the fashion heebie jeebies!



Cheers

Jamie

I agree wholeheartedly!

Also, the idea of wearing a short-sleeved, button-down collared shirt with a jacket just seems... very wrong. There'd obviously be no sleeve showing from below the arm of the jacket and would just look, well, odd.

It makes me sad that some pipe bands go with the short-sleeved/tie/waistcoat look.

[Buckskin]

In my opinion, The word "Dress" and the words "short sleeve", or for that matter "button down colar." do not go together. I would not wear either mentioned with a coat and tie. That being said, if it is a casual look your after, wear what you and the weather want.

[Bugbear]

In my opinion, The word "Dress" and the words "short sleeve", or for that matter "button down colar." do not go together. I would not wear either mentioned with a coat and tie. That being said, if it is a casual look your after, wear what you and the weather want.

I think there is something wrong with me. I've always thought of a dress shirt as being different and more formal than a regular button-up-front shirt. I have no idea why one should not wear a coat and tie with a button down collar.
I wouldn't call anything with short sleeves a dress shirt, but I think it is ment as a button-front shirt in this case.
Looking at the original post again, they are being called (business shirts) rather than dress shirts.

You may now laugh at me.

[Geoff Withnell]

As I worked for many years as an engineer in a manufacturing/machine shop environment, I am used to the look of a short sleeve shirt with a tie. Long sleeves (when rolled down) get dirty, and when rolled up present a problem - if they unexpectedly come loose they can catch in the machinery. "Can't the tie catch as well?" I hear you ask. Yes, but since only clip on ties are allowed, it isn't a safety problem. Since the average silk tie is as strong as a fairly good hemp rope, wearing one in a machine shop is a good way to win a Darwin Award. So engineers tend to be stylistically challenged. I still own pocket protectors!

In any case, "Engineering Casual" is a short sleeve shirt, tie, and jacket. And I sometimes have a kilt as the lower portion of the ensemble.
Geoff Withnell