Trend alert! Rich girls have toned arms

The season’s chicest accessory isn’t something you buy, it’s something you build: toned arms. Not gym-bro biceps. Not CrossFit shoulders. We’re talking the sleek, sculpted, softly defined arms you get from a life built around Pilates sessions (preferably with a celebrity trainer), weekend tennis in Wimbledon whites at the country club, and having the time actually to care about your posture. Say hello to rich-girl arms. The kind that whisper “I summer in Capri,” “I row crew in the summer,” and “No, I don’t carry my own groceries.” You’ve seen them everywhere. Hailey Bieber’s effortless deltoids peeking out from an oversized tee. Kendall Jenner’s angular, ballerina-adjacent definition that feels more “I grew up playing varsity tennis” than “I train to deadlift my body weight.” Even Sofia Richie Grainge and Tania Shroff—both poster girls for quiet luxury—have arms that look like they’ve been sculpted by someone whispering cues like “lengthen, soften, breathe” in a sunlit home gym. These arms aren’t about brute strength; they’re about aesthetic intention.

But behind the soft flex is a bigger cultural moment. The silhouette has shifted. After years of core-obsessed workouts (HIIT, ab-crack era) and booty-focused programmes (the peach-emoji dynasty), the spotlight has moved up. The arm is now where the cool girls are investing their wellness energy. Sleeveless knits, strapless dresses, and narrow halter silhouettes dominating runways from Altuzarra to Khaite have only offered encouragement. Designers are sculpting garments that frame the shoulder and tricep like jewellery. And naturally, women who love a curated lifestyle are rising to meet the trend with arms that say both “I lift light weights” and “I only use La Mer.”

 

How the ‘rich-girl arm’ became a thing

It’s functional luxury. These arms signal access: to boutique Pilates studios, tennis courts with pros, infrared saunas, lymphatic drainage massages, and the most privileged resource of all, time. You cannot fake consistency, and you cannot cheat upper-body tone. It’s a slow-burn fitness flex: a little bit daily, not a heroic amount once in a while.

It also mirrors the wellness world’s aesthetic pivot. We’ve moved away from extremes—no more shredding for summer or obsessively building glutes. Wellness in 2026 is about long-term, sustainable strength that supports posture, hormones, and longevity. Toned arms, especially the kind Pilates and tennis create, come from controlled, mindful movement rather than maximum effort. This is the same demographic drinking adaptogenic matcha, repairing their nervous systems, buying quiet-luxury athleisure, and hitting 10,000 steps while listening to the latest relationship podcast. And finally, the vibe is aspirational minimalism. Sculpted arms signal that your life is organised. It’s the fitness version of the quiet-luxury blowout—effortful, but engineered to look effortless.

How to get the look

The routine behind these arms is more chic than brutal. Start with Pilates—reformer if you can, mat if you can’t—because it sculpts the shoulders, triceps, and posture muscles for that long, lifted line. Add tennis to your weekly rhythm. It’s the most aesthetic cardio going, and the forehand alone works your triceps and obliques while giving you a reason to wear a cute skort. Train like you row crew: light, controlled, repetitive movements using resistance bands, 2–3 kg weights, TRX rows, and cable pull-downs. Keep posture in check with wall angles, Y/T/W movements, and upper-back activation, because half the tone you admire on Kendall or Dua comes from scapula control. Don’t skip mobility. Definition shows best on lengthened muscles, so prioritise stretching, dry brushing, and fascia work. And support all of it with wellness basics: daily protein, 8-10K steps, electrolytes, quality sleep, and balanced cortisol. Rich-girl arms are built on consistency and a body treated kindly.

Toned rich-girl arms represent a new kind of aspirational femininity—strong but soft, sculpted but not striving. They’re the physical expression of a life that balances discipline and ease, Pilates and tennis, wellness and style. And honestly? They look good with everything: tank tops, tailored dresses, vintage tees, and of course, a bikini. Consider this your sign to book that reformer class and channel your inner Hailey Bieber.

Photo: Getty Images

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