Alright, roll up your sleeves…
No, wait, hang on a second. You don’t have to! Not with these beauties!
Nope, it’s not this. Completely different, can’t you tell? Photo: CraftinessisnotOptional.com
These are Chinese sleeve protectors.
I know, I know, you were thinking, these are undoubtedly the Chinese version of those plastic bag dispensers that you see at Midwestern craft fairs. But, no, these are way more different. Because there’s two of them!
You wear these over your sleeves or even over your bare arms anytime they need protection from dirt, oil, ink, whatever. In the winter, it’s much warmer to wear these over your long-sleeved tops than to push up your sleeves, no? I’ve seen people wear these while selling fruit, cooking food at stalls, riding their scooters, washing dishes, working at the post office, you name it.
To be accurate, I should say I’ve seen women wearing these for those tasks. So far, I’ve never spotted a man wearing them.
Keepin’ those sleeves clean. Photo: b-kyu.com
I tried using these for a while for cooking in winter, but I never quite got used to them. It’s probably partially due to the fact that the elastic bands are sized for local women, and I’m not. And, funny thing, I like to keep blood flowing into my hands.
But, should you be interested in picking up a pair, these are sold at any supermarket, and at those home-goods-type shops that sell things like scooter ponchos and plastic stools. They come in an amazing array of colors and patterns, and about half feature cartoon characters.
Which might just be why I’ve never seen a guy wearing them.
What in the Middle Kingdom? Scooter mitts and blankets
October 29, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Oh happy day! I’ve been wondering what to do with the plastic bag dispensers now that plastic bags are out of favor. Maybe I need 4 so I can have cute mud guards too.
Love seeing life from your doorstep.
Laojung
October 30, 2014 at 9:43 am
Ha ha, now you have your answer! I have a lot of friends who swear by them, especially for washing dishes in winter (homes are not heated here, so that is a very cold job). Good luck on re-purposing those plastic bag dispensers, Lao Jung! (I take it that’s your Chinese nickname?)
October 29, 2014 at 11:36 pm
We laugh but they see common sense and beauty independent of clashing with their clothing.
October 30, 2014 at 9:45 am
Yes, these definitely fall in the “practical” rather than “fashionable” category. I guess I’ve been here too long, because I didn’t even think about the clashing factor!
October 30, 2014 at 2:02 am
Hi Emily,
It’s Anne, from Tucson, I thought these were to protect your skin from the sun… I’ve been looking for them here in the U.S. so I could wear them in the summer while driving (yes, I’m one of the rare people who don’t want a tan… or skin cancer). But, I can’t find them. I think I will have to resort to making some myself because I would have the same problem if I tried to order them from China. My wrists are not the same as local Chinese women! It’s interesting to see that they are not just used for the sun! 🙂
We all miss you!
Anne T.
October 30, 2014 at 9:41 am
Hi, Anne! For sun protection here, people mostly use umbrellas, even while driving scooters. I use an umbrella all the time here, though I’ve never tried it while driving a scooter. There are also scooter capes that ladies wear, and I keep thinking I should get one of those! The sleeve protectors are used for sun protection a bit, but they are mostly used for all those other tasks. Let me know if you end up making a pair. Otherwise, I’m bringing you back a pair from China! 🙂
October 30, 2014 at 11:19 am
Hi Emily, Thanks! But, I doubt my chubby wrists could fit in them. 🙂 I’m just learning to sew, but it might be an easy project to try. 🙂 If I get good at it, I will make one for you… something in a neutral color. No cartoon characters. Unless you’d like a Frozen themed pair. 🙂
October 30, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Lol, only if they’re Olaf! 😉