Ree Drummond is known for her colorful, flowy, and totally effortless style. She lives in feminine tops that pair perfectly with jeans and cowboy boots and add a whole lot of fun to an outfit. And if you've been following her for a while, you might've noticed something: Many of those shirts have a similar type of sleeve.
They're not long. They're not short. They hit right in the middle, just below the elbow but not quite to her wrist. It's a detail Ree clearly loves and that you've probably noticed on her cooking show, in her Instagram photos or even in snapshots from the ranch.
So why is she so drawn to this one style? It turns out, there's are two surprisingly practical reasons: First: They're easy to cook in! Ree spends a lot of time in the kitchen, whether she's working on new recipes, whipping up food for her family and friends, or preparing meals to bring out to Ladd and the other ranchers. So she needs fashion that's functional and cute. And that's where the three-quarter-length sleeve tops come in. They hit at just the right spot where she can easily get cooking without having to roll up her sleeves. That means no getting messy when she's mixing ingredients together, and no worries that she'll get her sleeves all wet when she's washing dishes. Shirts like these make it easy for Ree to roll with whatever the day brings—which, on a working cattle ranch, could be just about anything!
Second: We'll let Ree explain! "The bottom line is that I'm a fair-skinned redhead who doesn't like short sleeves or sleeveless tops. I haven't worn either since around 2008. 😂 A three-quarter sleeve is the perfect compromise: Keeps things cool without baring the arms!"
Some of Ree's favorite places to find cute tops include Anthropologie, Nordstrom, and her upcoming line launching in September 2025 (a surprise is on the horizon!). No matter the brand, she's always looking for bright colors, bold patterns and a sleeve that hits at juuuust the right spot.
Shop Ree's Three-Quarter Sleeve Style
3/4 Sleeve Prairie Blouse
Free People Arcadia Blouse
Kelsey Hurwitz is the associate features editor for The Pioneer Woman Magazine. When she's not writing about ranch life, home decor and food, she can be found knitting and catching up on her favorite reality TV shows.
