Elastic armband: What is it?
Publié par Auteur : Anne-Laure Mattera / 23 septembre 2024
A very stylish fashion accessory, the elastic armband gives an incomparably dandy chic feel. You can’t be a true gentleman without it in your wardrobe! As well as its fashionable side, which we love, it’s also very practical, allowing you to adjust the size of your sleeves in a matter of seconds. Perfect for never getting dirty and still looking great.
Elastic armband goes by many different names. Shirt elastic, non-slip arm band, shirt sleeve elastic, arm band, shirt sleeve garter, armband or even elastic bracelet. Come and discover this charming accessory with us.
Our Léon has come up with a modern dandy chic look for you. To look his best, he wears his elastic armbands with a classy white shirt and the elegant Classic Black Bow Tie. With this outfit, Léon is at the top of his game for an updated retro chic style. It’s perfect for a dressy event, like a wedding or a formal evening.
What is the elastic armband?
After decades of being forgotten, the elastic shirt is now back in the spotlight. It’s impossible not to think of the Charleston years when you see it! But not everyone is Léon, and perhaps you’ve never heard of them? Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything.
The sleeve holder comes in the form of a strip of elasticated fabric. It has a system for adjusting its size. This makes it easy to adjust to your arm and hold your sleeves in place.
Originally, elastic armbands had 2 functions:
- At the time, shirts were one size fits all with very long sleeves. When you were small or didn’t have very long arms (!), the arm loops meant that your sleeves didn’t fall down to your fingers. The elastic armband on the shirt meant that you could customise the sleeve length to suit your body shape and avoid getting dirty while working.
- You’ve probably already seen croupiers with shirt elastics… it was simply to prevent cheating! With a sleeve garter, it’s much harder to hide a card up your sleeve… Think about it if you wanted to cheat at your next poker night.
Widely used in the XIXᵉ century, today it’s an essential fashion accessory for any self-respecting Leon. If you don’t have one, now is the time to do something about it.
How do I wear an elastic armband?
The shirt garter is a fashion accessory that not only gives you a unique style, but is also particularly practical. You’re sure to get noticed with it. As its name suggests, it’s worn with a shirt around the right or left arm. To look your best, wear one on each arm. It’s usually worn above the elbow, but you can wear it around the wrist for a more original look. You can either leave it visible or roll up your sleeves above the cuff and roll the excess fabric over it to hide it.
If you want to be a perfect XIXᵉ century dandy, this is the fashion accessory for you. If you’re a Peaky Blinder fan, you’re bound to have already noticed it on Tommy Shelby’s arm. The Peaky Blinders shirt sleeve is worn with a bow tie and a waistcoat over the shirt. If you accessorise with a pretty beret or trench coat, you’ll look great.
For a more laid-back Robert Redford style, an arm warmer can be worn with men’s braces. Go for the Bretelles Larges Bleu Garonne or the Bretelles Larges Bûcheron, but not too much if you want to play it all vintage with style. Leave the first buttons of the shirt open for a totally casual look. That’s how Léon makes everyone fall in love!
The elastic armband has been used in films such as Robert Redford’s The Sting:
To adopt the elastic armband for a more contemporary look, simply wear it with jeans and your favourite shirt. In fact, that’s how David Beckham wears it. If even he’s fallen for the sleeve garter, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t too. For a more rock’n’roll style, you can also wear it with a long-sleeved T-shirt.