16 Spring Tops That Cover Your Arms But Won’t Make You HOT

Tops That Hide Flabby Arms

Are your upper arms a problem area for you? Many women reach out and tell me how they want to cover their arms during the spring and summer months but worry about getting too hot. I love a sleeveless top, but sometimes I feel more comfortable and confident covering my arms too. So, for those who want some arm coverage without adding heat or compromising style… this is the post for you! Keep scrolling for all my favorite long-sleeve and 3/4-sleeve tops perfect for spring but also light enough for summer!

If you missed it, you should check out this video on how to hide flabby arms.

#1) Ulla Johnson Floral Blouse

I just love all the sweet details on this Ulla Johnson floral print top. The v-neck tie front is super flattering, and the puff sleeves add some definition and width across the shoulders. The smocked bell cuffs are easy to push up (and they stay up!) if you run warm. It’s 100% silk so it’s super lightweight and will effortlessly tuck into your bottoms, or you can leave it untucked. Since you can control whether the ties at the neck are open or closed, this top can be office, daytime, and date night appropriate. Perfect for spring/summer but it also layers beautifully under coats, jackets, and sweaters!

#2) Farm Rio Floral Print Top

If you want an alternative to wearing long sleeves in the warmer months but still want to cover your arms, a 3/4 sleeve length top is THE perfect option. This gorgeous red floral top by Farm Rio is fun, flattering, and a little bold. It’s made of lightweight cotton and has SUCH beautiful details. It has beaded buttons up the back, floral appliques, crochet trim at the neck and sleeves, and puff shoulders. The volume at the shoulders helps create width across the top which as a rectangular body shape, I appreciate. The midline stripe down the front also adds visual length to your torso which helps to offset the volume on top.

Can we take a moment for these white jeans though?! These relaxed-fit, wide-leg Pistola jeans are as flattering as they are affordable. They are currently our top-seller this month which doesn’t surprise me one bit. They are high-rise, the fabric has some weight to it but isn’t stiff, and…no front pockets so you don’t have to hassle with any bulging lines in front. Also, not see-through! They’re the perfect length on me at 5’4″ with heels, sandals, or sneakers. If you’re taller, they will be more cropped but still very on-trend.

3) Farm Rio Ruffled Puff Sleeve Blouse

Here’s another ¾ sleeve blouse by Farm Rio. One of the spring/summer trends this year includes anything with feminine details…and this top is full of them! It has pretty puff sleeves, ruffled trim throughout the front, and a frilly hemline. It’s 100% cotton so it’s super lightweight and breathable, but the sleeves still keep your arms covered. Oh, and the best part is that it’s only $150! Considering the quality of Farm Rio’s pieces, it’s a wonderful price point! It runs true to size. When you need a chic look in a jiffy for summer, an elegant white top like this one paired with your favorite jeans, pants, or shorts is such a reliable outfit formula!

I styled the top with a pair of R13 denim shorts, but you could easily wear this top with your favorite pair of denim. These shorts have a cool criss-cross front, 3.5” inseam, 15” front rise, and roomy legs for the ultimate flattering fit. These do run a little big, so I sized down one size.

#4) Bobi Off the Shoulder Top

Just because you want to cover your arms, doesn’t mean you want to cover EVERYthing. In fact, a woman’s shoulders are such a beautiful feature to show off. I love this breezy Bobi top so much that I bought it in both black and white. And, I’ve worn it on multiple trips already. The cotton fabric is gauzy and light making it easy to pack…and perfect for hot weather. Since it has elastic at the neckline, you can wear it on or off the shoulders. It also has elastic at the hem for a slight bubble effect. It runs true to size.

I’m wearing it with the matching shorts, but you can wear it with denim shorts, wide-leg pants, jeans, or a pretty floral print skirt. I’ve even worn it over a bikini as a coverup. You can dress it down during the day or dress it up for dinner. It’s SUPER versatile.

#5) Velvet Open-Knit Pullover

This pullover by Velvet has to be one of my new favorite finds for the season! This is just one of those basics you’ll wear more than you think. It’s super lightweight, has dropped shoulders, and has that perfect elbow sleeve length. With this top, your arms will be covered…but the open knit is cool both literally and figuratively! I especially love the flattering v-neck and trendy, preppy collar. You can wear a cami, tank, or bralette underneath. I’m wearing it with the same denim shorts from look #1, but pretty much anything goes…jeans, skirts, pants. It’s thin enough that a front-tuck is easy-peasy but it’s semi-cropped so you can also leave it untucked. It was sold out in a bunch of sizes there for a bit, but it looks like it’s fully stocked in almost all sizes now.

#6) Aje Frill Cuff Blouse

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I love pink! The color is what initially drew me in, but the details on this top are next level. The long puff sleeves with the loop peek-a-boo design and bell cuff are lovely, feminine touches. The band collar and large gold statement button at the top also make this blouse a little more special. I’m wearing it here pretty casually, unbuttoned at the top with some straight-leg white jeans by Mother and See By Chloe wedges.

It would also look great with regular denim or even denim shorts. But if you wanted to dress this up for the office you could pair it with black trousers or a pencil skirt too. The fabric is really lightweight so even in warmer months, you’ll stay nice and cool. This top is from last spring/summer, but you can easily recreate the look with a similar, lightweight option and I’ll link a couple below.

#7) Farm Rio Lace Blouse

The next few tops I want to share with you are all fresh, crisp white or ivory tops. Let’s start with this square neck top by Farm Rio. It has the most gorgeous lace applique sleeve pattern and elastic at the cuff. There’s a side zipper so it’s easy to get on and off. There is smocking at the back which gives you a really flattering fit. This top is on the shorter side, but not incredibly cropped. It’s the perfect companion for your high-waisted shorts and jeans. Where some of the white tops I’ll feature next have more of a relaxed fit, this one skims the body but doesn’t cling to it. I love how the billowy sleeves next to the slim bodice create the illusion of a thinner waist.

#8) R13 Gathered Hem Shirt

A white button-down shirt is on my wardrobe basics checklists you get when you subscribe to our email list. You should definitely have a versatile, basic white button-down in your closet. The R13 shirt I’m wearing above is an example of an elevated white button-down…and I love it! There is elastic in the hem, so you get a bubble effect similar to the look you’d achieve if you tucked in your billowy white blouse. But, you don’t have to hassle with all that extra fabric! I’ll be wearing it mostly with jeans and shorts this spring and summer, but it would also look great with joggers or cargo pants. It has a drop shoulder and a more relaxed fit, and I ordered my regular size. You could also unbutton it and wear a tank or cami underneath for another styling option.

#9) Button-down Ruffle Shirt

Along the same lines as the elevated white button-down in the previous look, this is another option that is also a twist on a basic silhouette. I love the neckline of this shirt…it adds some drama, it’s so feminine, and it has a sort of Victorian and western spin to it. It has puffed shoulders and ruffles at the cuffs. It’s a really beautiful shirt you’ll wear over and over again. This button-down would be great for the office too! I’m wearing it with some denim trouser pants that are super on-trend right now and white booties. You can always swap out the booties for sandals for spring/summer. The exact top and jeans are no longer available, but we found similar options we linked below.

In case you are interested, I style this ruffled top a couple of different ways and share a few other closet essentials in this post.

#10) Velvet Jordyn Blouse with Denim Shorts

This pretty off-white blouse by Velvet has beautiful eyelet stripes that give it a really romantic vibe. It’s also 100% cotton so it will keep you cool even though it has long sleeves. There’s elastic at the cuffs and a small ruffle at the v-neck which is perfect for showing off a pretty necklace. The top is from last season, but this season’s version is very similar (linked below). By the way, the Ulla Johnson necklace I’m wearing is quickly becoming my wear-with-everything spring piece!

I loved styling this top during a trip to Utah last year and wanted to show you another way to wear it…

Velvet Jordyn Blouse with Cargo Pants

This time I’m wearing the same blouse with some cargo pants from Banana Republic. These are a great alternative to wearing joggers or jeans. They feel really fresh and modern but are super versatile and wearable. They come in Tall, Regular, Short, and Petite sizing options which is SO great! On my feet, I’m wearing some super comfortable sandals by Madewell that are not only stylish but also very affordable. This would be a great warm-weather vacation outfit for sightseeing, going out to lunch, or even a travel day.

#11)  Zadig & Voltaire Tessi Shirt

I wanted to throw a wild card into this roundup! This top by Zadig & Voltaire makes me SO happy. It’s a serious mood booster. I love the colorful lip pattern and this is definitely not the shirt everyone and their sister will be wearing. You can kind of see it in the photos, but it has these cool flared cuffs and a tie-neck that you can loosely tie or leave open. If you need something a little different in your closet, a piece like this would be fun to wear to your next girl’s night out with your favorite jeans. Depending on your work environment, it could also work for the office. I paired it with a statement-making Red Valentino coat and super slimming Spanx split-hem pants. These pants are amazing! You can read more about them and see more ways to style them here. Linking similar options for the top and trench below!

By the way, you can use code ERINXSPANX to get 10% off your Spanx purchase…including these ultra-flattering pants!

#12) Puff Sleeve Cropped Shirt

Next up is this puffed-sleeve crop top. This one definitely has more of a true cropped fit so if you have a longer torso or prefer not to show any skin around the midsection, this might not be the best option for you. If you’re wearing it with high-waisted jeans, you might see a tiny sliver of skin, especially when you raise your arms. I’ve worn it with and without a tank under it and felt really comfortable both ways! The puffed shoulder and sleeve really bring some drama and give the illusion of a smaller waist. The fabric is a lightweight stretch cotton poplin so it doesn’t wrinkle super easily. Anyone else not a fan of ironing? I’ve also worn this over a maxi dress unbuttoned kind of like a cropped jacket and loved it styled that way too!

#13) L’Agence Ava Cuff Blouse

There are certain brands that create special, quality pieces all.the.time and for me, L’Agence is consistently one of those brands! This blouse is stunning. The covered buttons all the way down the front and the lace cuffs are so elegant! This is another blouse that looks amazing with boyfriend jeans but could also be dressed up for the office or a nice dinner out. The colors in the scarf I’m wearing from Banana Republic perfectly complement the blouse too. It also comes in black and white and since the Praline color is super limited, I’ll link a similar top below. This is a blouse that is so timeless and you’ll wear it now right through fall!

#13) Never a Wallflower Cotton Poplin Top

If you’re a fan of the cotton top in look #7 but want something less cropped, this top is for you! Sometimes you just want to put something on that is loose-fitting, comfortable, and cool…especially in warmer weather. I love the 3/4 sleeves and ruffle standup collar on this light and flowy blouse. I’m wearing it untucked with the same slouchy R13 boyfriend jeans I’m wearing in several of these looks…I love the baggier silhouette, distressing, and cool wash. The exact top is still available in white and a few other colors, and I found a couple of black tops with the same silhouette (linked below).

#15) Rails Ellis Button-down

If you follow me on Instagram or here on the blog, you’ve seen this Rails button-down shirt A LOT! When it comes to amazing tops that cover your arms, I could not, NOT talk about one of my all-time favorites. This gauzy Rails button-down has been in my closet for years and it’s a solid go-to. It’s super lightweight, breathable, and easy to tuck in, leave out, or tie in the front. I’ve styled it with jeans and shorts and it really is the perfect spring and summer top. Plus, your arms are completely covered but you don’t get hot. It’s body-skimming and quite flattering. When I’m traveling, I always seem to reach for this one. I have one in my regular size and another one size up that I use as a swimsuit cover-up. When I talk about buying quality pieces that last (a LONG time) this is a perfect example.

#16) ATM V-Neck Tee

The perfect white tee is a spring and summer essential! No matter how well we take care of our white t-shirts, at some point they just need a refresh. Whether it’s yellowing in the armpit area or overall wear and tear they just don’t last forever. The tee I’m wearing by ATM is my go-to. It’s great quality, a lovely fabrication, and is relaxed without being oversized. I gravitate toward v-neck t-shirts because they help elongate the torso by drawing the eye downward. They’re also great for showing off a pretty necklace! I also own this whisper cotton tee by Madewell which is similar and a bit more affordable…just under $20.

10 Different Sleeve Styles

You’ve probably noticed from the past 11 tops, tees, and blouses, that there are tons of different sleeve styles for summer! So I wanted to include a big list of the types of sleeves to look or search for that will keep you cool in the summer and still cover your upper arms. Depending on your style, you’ll want to take sleeve design, sleeve length, and your own climate into account.

Batwing sleeves
Kimono sleeves
Raglan sleeves
Bell sleeves
Lantern sleeves
Balloon sleeves
Billowy sleeves
Petal sleeves
Cap sleeves
Short sleeves
Ruffled sleeves
Bishop sleeves
Peasant sleeves
Cuff sleeves
Flutter sleeves
Dolman sleeves
Butterfly sleeves
Puffed sleeves
Slit sleeves
Sheer sleeves

So, are you a fan of covering your arms, even in the dog days of summer?  If so, which of these tops is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

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