To continue with my Wrong To Bare Arms Campaign (for clergy, not for our First Lady — who I still think goes bare-armed too often, but she’s not in my clergy demographic so I’ll just adore her from a distance and observe her fashion choices with keen interest), check this out, doves:
The Almay [I mean ALMY — thank you, alert reader – PB!] catalog says,
*Wonderful easy fit.
* Sleeveless style is perfect for warm weather, or for wear under sweaters and jackets – a great alternative to a dickey or rabat.
Almay, HOW COULD YOU?? PERFECT FOR WARM WEATHER? So that when we visit a proper, elderly lady parishioner, she can think to herself, “Good Lord, what has the Church come to that I should receive a visit from this PERSON with her ARMPITS showing?”
I’ll give you this: If you want to go sleeveless between appointments on super hot days, bare thine arms! I mean, this model looks like Terri Hatcher and obviously has a commitment to free weights, and looks great. HOWEVAH, I would still cringe if she walked into a hospital room or nursing home room without another layer.
And I would also avoid sleevelessness at meetings unless you serve the most very casual congregation.
::::marching around waving my WRONG TO BARE ARMS banner to the tune of something by John Philip Souza::::
Speaking of sleeveless, did you see the photo on the front page of the Globe today? Where president is surrounded by happy scientists? Do you see the woman on the left–beautiful gray hair, cap sleeves on her dress (still sleevless to me). Look at the length of her skirt. Looks like she has the figure to show off, but…maybe a little short?
[Oh, gosh. Um. She’s not a clergyperson so I won’t touch this one. Except to say … and darn it, girl, you KNEW I wouldn’t be able to keep my mouth shut… that maybe someone should start a Beauty Tips For Scientists. That would be such a nice dress for a summer wedding! With strappy heels and a nice clutch bag! P.S. We need to have a date soon. – PB]
Totally incongruous…the collar and no sleeves. Never, even when I had slim arms!
I would kill for that thing on a hot Sunday – but please note that I would always and only wear it under my alb. The description does mention it more in the ‘wear under jacket’ category, so I do hope that’s all they were thinking. Can you imagine if they offered that option for guys? HORRIFYING.
I would, however, like to clarify that I believe ‘dickies’ to be the work of the devil.
Agreed with SingingOwl. Regardless of whether it is or isn’t appropriate (isn’t, unless you’re getting into a car that has been sitting in 90-degree weather), it just looks wrong.
That just looks weird besides inappropriate. But I think it would be nice for wearing under a light jacket on warmer days. Just make sure you keep the jacket on.
PB, you crack me up with your banner-wavin’ self. In general, I have to say that I don’t think sleeveless looks are always absolutely positively Wrong For Clergy. I think I could probably find sleeveless outfits I would find acceptable on some ministers in some places. But this monstrosity here, nuh-uh. It’s just bizarre looking.
Mind you, this is all theoretical for me, since I have the absolute worst upper arms on the planet. No, seriously. I long for elbow-length sleeves to sweep the nation.
I would have loved that shirt when I was working in my non air conditioned office in the summer when it was nearly 100 degrees outside! Of course, a lightweight cardigan or jacket would go over it if I left the office or had an appointment.
Do they make one that shows midriffs? Cause I love to show my muffin top when making hospital calls in August. 🙂
I can attest to the fact that this shirt–by itself–does not work for even the vegan marathoner type. Showing the shoulder in a professional setting should be left to attorneys on TV 😉
I do love this shirt under stuff, all year long. The Womenspirit version is similar. It’s solely a layering piece.
There are so many cute short sleeved cardigans out this year-even some crocheted ones-that would be great with this top. I tend to keep the black on black thing and wear a skirt with a little color on black, or I wear with a black skirt or pants and a colored sweater or top. I feel too old to be really fashion forward “on duty.” [I’d say you just prefer to stick with the classics while on duty, and ain’t a thing wrong with that! – PB]
Rant warning:
Almy doesn’t do a very good job marketing to women, IMHO. My “custom” alb that I paid 20 percent more for ten years ago has pockets that hit my knees, meaning it was simply a regular one hemmed up. No maternity clothes–I know I’ve asked–no dresses, no stretch fabrics. Only this, one baggy tunic thing, and stuff that looks like Brooks Brothers (Pink pinstripes). [Humans with breasts and ovaries being in the ministry is a shocking development, I know. Let’s hope that Almy will catch on to this enormous SEA CHANGE in the Church and hire some designers who get the whole concept of women’s bodies. – PB]
Oh, dear, I think you may have Almay (cosmetics) confused with Almy (a church supplies company). Of course, one could imagine (along the lines of spray-on stockings) a line of spray-on sleeves, coordinated to match the sleeveless blouse. Actually, no, I can’t imagine that.
[WHOOPS! Thanks for being such an alert reader! What a difference an “a” makes. – PB]