<p>“Excessive bare skin”??? In what universe are bare arms comparable to cleavage and short skirts? Even in my pretty formal office environment years ago, it wasn’t unusual for a woman to wear a sleeveless shell underneath a blazer and then take off the blazer while working, just as the men took off their jackets. I was the unfortunate soul who had to call out employees for inappropriate attire and sometimes even send them home to change, but bare arms were never considered objectionable. I agree that sleeveless clothes look odd in the middle of the winter, but that’s just my personal taste. Now the day the news anchors start baring their midriffs, I’ll be the first to be outraged!</p>
<p>I thought it was because such a big deal was made out of Michelle Obama’s arms, that it became a big trend to show off toned upper arms.</p>
<p>I don’t watch tv news but I just did a survey of regional newscasts & all the women were wearing suit jackets or collared shirts in most of the shots,
So are we talking national news desks?
I have noticed though that when I go dress shopping, virtually all the ones I like are sleeveless.
( & since Im not interested in showing my upper arms anytime but high summer that means I also have to find a jacket or sweater.)
I even had a long sleeved high necked wedding gown that my Mormon sister could have worn!
( a " good" Mormon wears garments which negate anything sleeveless)</p>
<p>Female newscasters used to wear suits (blazers). At some point, and I think Michelle Obama was a strong influence, the sleeveless dress replaced the blazer. As much as I long for blazers to come back, the sleeveless dress didn’t bother me until last month, when my area started to experience temperatures way below normal. As I was struggling to stay warm myself, it was very difficult to watch females in sleeveless dresses on TV.</p>
<p>While we are on the subject, I think Robin Roberts must be cold, because she has been wearing long sleeves, and sometimes even long sleeved layers (shirt and sweater). I’m hoping that will start a new fad, but I’m not getting my hopes up. [-O< </p>
<p>Check out the weather girls on Spanish language TV channels like Univision if you want to see bare on newscasters. Low cut tops, high hemmed bottoms, stuffed Wonder Bras, sleeveless, and everything packaged tight!</p>
<p>I started noticing, about 5 years ago, that the stores were selling lots and lots of sleeveless tops all year. It became difficult to find sleeves anywhere! I started thinking of sleeves as an endangered species! I hate this trend. My arms do NOT look like Michelle Obama’s and I am cold unless I’m having a hot flash.</p>
<p>I don’t have a problem with the appropriateness on the attire on TV but i do think it’s silly to be wearing summer clothes in the dead of winter.</p>
<p>Sleeveless doesn’t bother me but a local news show started having younger women traffic/weather wearing what looked like to me, “clubbing” outfits. Very sexy, red, plunging necklines…I did a double-take one morning. I guess I wasn’t the only one, I heard men and women wrote saying, it seemed inappropriate. I usually get these news items on the web, but I did notice the other day, the mentioned weather person was wearing attractive but more modest dresses. I know ratings are uppermost in their minds but you should have some decorum. </p>
<p>My CEO was telling me after a meeting, he is seeing much less modest dress in interviews. He doesn’t know if it’s ignorance or just a lack of common sense. You don’t have to be dowdy but understand what the job you are applying for entails.</p>
<p>I hope this is ok to post:</p>
<p><a href=“Why We Shouldn't Care If Female Anchors Go Sleeveless | HuffPost Women”>http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3187097/</a></p>
<p>Bunsen, thanks for the link! Here is the background link to the Huffington Post column. I didn’t realize that Roge Ailes of Fox was once a Broadway producer so he may partially approach his shows from that perspective - all the way down to the wardrobe!</p>
<p><a href=“Female TV newscasters and the sleeveless sheath dress”>http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/04/female_tv_newscasters_and_the_sleeveless_sheath_dress.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks for the links </p>
<p>Stephanie Abrams is covering our current winter storm wearing a sleeveless dress and black tights; a fashion faux pas, IMO.</p>
<p>Late to the party but I’ve wondered the same and “why”. I don’t particularly care one way or the other but it seems a little silly to be sleeveless in January.</p>
<p>I’m definitely feeling this is a regional issue – I’m in California, and winter skipped us this year. Not only would I not notice, I wouldn’t care if anyone on the news was wearing a sleeveless outfit. </p>
<p>^^^ You’re right about that (as I eye the weather forecast that puts us in the 18-24" range). </p>
<p>I thought they were all copying Michelle Obama.</p>
<p>Iglooo, I assumed that as well.</p>
<p>I get a little uncomfortable when I read comments about the women–but not the men–being “unattractive.”</p>
<p>I know, sorry – we’ve been stuck in perpetual fall here, which many of us aren’t thrilled about (super hot where I live --105+ in summer ) as we need winter to decompress a bit before the summer. But I get it that the winter most of the country has had is the exact opposite. The grass is always greener, right?</p>
<p>Your drought just sounds awful. Can I send some your way???</p>
<p>Well, the women are clearly making an effort to be attractive. They want this trait noticed so I see nothing wrong with commenting on it, fail or succeed. After all. it’s television. Looks matter. The bare arms thing is a just a fashion trend. </p>