Arm Bands?

[ArrowCollarMan]

There are these things I see that men sometines wore on their sleeves worn above the elbow. There were some kinda scretchy band tha looked alot like a scrunchie but interesting looking all the same. Was their a purpouse for wearing these and is there proper name for them? All I can think is "arm bands".

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Yes, there was a purpose. In the days before shirt production was highly industrialized, the sleeves on ready-made shirts came in only one or two lengths. You adjusted the sleeve by using the armband to hold the sleeve to the correct length. You're welcome!

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I think I've heard them referred to as "sleeve garters." I only see them at poker games.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

That's right!

You can find them on eBay.

 

[Irena]

In the old movies (and westerns) printers wore them a lot. Of course, they were the ones who wore a suit jacket to work and took it off while they worked, didn't they? So others on the street would have them, too, but you couldn't see them for the jackets. Am I right?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Yes, it's true. Armbands could be used to pull sleeves up and get cuffs safely away from the dirty work.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Are you awed by our knowledge, ArrowCollarMan?

.

 

[KAT]

my last man didnt like armbands..he preferred buttons

http://www.awo-shop.de/Daten/Bilder/01-079.jpg

 

[Marc Chevalier]

KAT - IS - BACK!

 

[KAT]

:whistling

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Ach, mein liebschen ...

 

[KAT]

Ach, mein liebschen ...

Ich war niemals weg!
never really been away :whistling

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Us short-arses need to wear arm garters. Otherwise there'd be 4-5 inches o' fabric beyond the end of the jacket arm cuff, there, buddy. Aye.

I've found with my 30s shirts that the arms are significantly shorter than modern numbers (other than custom tailored).

John Helmer sells some nice simple cheap ones.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

They remind me most of bank tellers/clerks in western movies ...

bk

 

[scotrace]

The Other Armband

Don't forget the black band of mourning.

When did it go out of fashion? Probably when such public displays of sadness came to be considered unseemly.
I think they served a valuable purpose, alerting all comers that you were in mourning for a close loss. It probably prevented that mortifying 21st century exchange:
"How's yer dad?"

Died a week ago thursday."

"oh."
"How 'bout them Braves, eh?"

 

[Baron Kurtz]

wore one of 'em when my football team got relegated a number of years back ...

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

ArrowCollarMan? Aren't you going to say "thank you"?

 

[johnnycanuck]

I have a set of sleeve garters. It helps me achieve my ideal look for a suit. Just 1/2" of cuff showing. Really helps with adding a polished look to any outfit. Its almost as essential as a pocket square. it also means I don't have to get my shirts tailored to look good.
Johnny

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

ArrowCollarMan? Aren't you going to say "thank you"?

OH GAWD, THANK YOU!! *bows down* lol

But really though, thanks. I always thought they looked cool but wasn't sure for what purpouse they were intended. I thought once that arm garders were to keep the sleeve up but found that strnage because I thougth the shirts would come in different sizes...guess not? [huh] They add a nice touch sometimes...looks better with a vested look. I've seen a music video with a rappa' wearing a vintage-looking grey, 3-piece suit with a news boy cap and arm garders I can't remember which rapper (or was it hip-hop? I dunno much about that music, listen to some of it though) this was...