Short Sleeves or Rolled Up Long Sleeves?

[Larry124]

From the Uniform Dress pages referenced in the “Highland Regiment regulations” Topic.

For “Dress - Ceremonial (Shirt Sleeve Order)” the Regimental blue shirt is pictured as long sleeve with the sleeves rolled to above the elbow.

Thanks for rekindling an old debate in my house!

[Disclaimer: Tongue-in-cheek]

My family for many many years has been sadly divided -- There are those who believe that a collared button-front “business” shirt in white or a light color MUST have long sleeves. The sleeves may be rolled up in summer. Short sleeve shirts of this type are for children and scientists/engineers or perhaps busboys only.

And there are those who think otherwise.

The long sleeve preference may (arguably) be a hold-over from an (obsolescent?) earlier style whereby a man ALWAYS wore or carried a (suit or sport coat) jacket. In that style a shirt is an item of under-dress or "middle-wear" (under a jacket or coat). It would be unthinkable to put a coat or jacket on over short sleeves.

And perhaps he would always wear or carry a vest (waistcoat) as well. No man would think of wearing short sleeves with a vest – a terrible look.

One of the things that dates a black and white photograph of an urban summer scene from the 1920’s – 1940’s (‘50’s?) is that to modern eyes the males appear to be overdressed. Always a hat or cap, shorts pants never, etc. No athletic shoes, no sandals. No such animal as a T-shirt. “Henley” shirts were undergarments.
Golf shirts were for golf and polo shirts were for polo.

Sorry, I’m getting carried away here…

Do you generally prefer short sleeves or rolled up long sleeves?