One of the less-loved parts of getting older is the appearance of “bingo wings” — those soft folds of skin that can appear on the underside of the upper arm. Here, Sandra Walsh of Canopi Sleeves shares her top tips to cover bingo wings and feel more confident in your clothes.
Styling is all about grooming and making the most of your strengths, and covering your arms doesn’t have to mean hiding away. A few simple choices can make a big difference to how confident you feel.
As the story goes, the term “bingo wings” came about because of the wobble in a woman’s upper arm as she raised it to shout “Bingo!” in the bingo hall. Whether or not that’s exactly how the phrase started, the wobble itself is very real — the skin and muscle on the upper arm naturally lose some firmness with age, and short of surgery, there’s no way to stop that completely.
The good news is that you can embrace the process and still look and feel great. Here are five simple ways to do it.
5 Top Tips To Cover Bingo Wings
#1. Use a Pashmina
An elegant pashmina is always a lovely way to cover your upper arms. Choose the pashmina colour to match the dominant colour in your outfit, not the minority one. Your look comes together beautifully when, for example, you pair a blush pink pashmina with a floral dress where blush pink is the base colour.
One neutral-coloured pashmina in your wardrobe can be worn with almost any outfit. It keeps you warm on journeys or at events, and gives your whole look a polished, finished feel.
#2. Choose Cap Sleeved Tops
Cap sleeved tops are very flattering, especially with a scalloped edge. They draw attention to the shoulder and gently shift the eye away from the upper arm.
#3. Hold Your Arms Out
When having your photo taken, hold your arm slightly away from your body rather than pressing it in — this is far more flattering and makes the arm look smaller in photos.
Try resting your hand on your hip to create a small gap between your arm and your body. It’s a simple trick that helps break up the silhouette instead of creating one solid block.
#4. Follow Coco’s Advice
“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman,” said style icon Coco Chanel.
It’s true. Good styling is about how you feel, not just how you look — and feeling good in what you wear shows.
#5. Invest in Sleeves to Cover Up
If you’d like something practical to cover your arms, consider a product like Canopi Sleeves. They’re designed to be worn with clothes you already own, giving you extra coverage and a confidence boost without needing a whole new wardrobe.
They’re seamless, sit under any sleeveless or short-sleeved top, and simply clip onto your bra straps. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference to how comfortable you feel in your existing clothes.
Covering sleeves like these can also be a practical solution for reasons beyond bingo wings — for example, if sleeveless tops aren’t allowed at work, or if you’d like to cover tattoos, scarring, or skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or similar.
Sandra Walsh is the founder of Canopi Sleeves. She designed the product herself after spotting a gap in the market for women looking for a simple way to feel more covered and confident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes bingo wings?
Bingo wings are simply a natural part of ageing. As skin loses elasticity over time, the underside of the upper arm can appear looser or softer. It happens to most women eventually and isn’t something to feel embarrassed about.
Can clothing choices really make a difference?
Yes. Simple choices like cap sleeves, pashminas, or clip-on sleeves can soften the appearance of the upper arm and help you feel more put-together, without needing a full wardrobe change.
Do I need to buy new clothes to cover my arms?
Not necessarily. Accessories like a pashmina or clip-on sleeves can be worn with clothes you already own, so you don’t have to replace your wardrobe to feel more covered.
Is there a way to pose for photos that’s more flattering?
Yes — holding your arm slightly away from your body, rather than pressed against it, tends to be more flattering in photos and is an easy habit to build.
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Before You Go
Got a styling tip of your own for covering bingo wings? We’d love to hear it — share it in the comments below and help other parents feel more confident too.
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