Thursday, June 1, 2023

33 Dresses With Delightfully Puffed Sleeves

A funny thing happened to our dress sleeves the last few years — they ballooned to cloud-like proportions. This fashion writer’s hypothesis is that puff-sleeve dresses are what happens when fairytale escape meets stay-at-home comfort. The nap dress surely takes a lot of credit for kicking off this unexpected trend, but those frocks were more suited for indoorsy, (err, lockdown-y) life. These newer puff-sleeve dress styles, however, are explicitly for being seen in. And there are so many options available right now, whether you're keen on the poofed-up tulle skirts or something more casual for daily wear.

Because this big-time trend is only about to blow up even further and because people are itching to get out there again, we’ve rounded up the best puff-sleeve dresses that are sure to be the conversation starter at any social function. Broken down by dress length, occasion, and affordability, click on for the puff-sleeve dresses that rewrite the definition of "arm party."

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

For more can't-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.

Puff-Sleeve Mini Dresses


Mini dresses are for leggy moments, long strides, and hot summer nights. Here are a few selects that are short in length but amped when it comes to sleeves.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie and Fitch Emerson Ruched Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Abercrombie and Fitch



t.la Savannah Puff-Sleeved Mini Dress, $, available at Anthropologie


Gap Linen-Blend Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Gap


Lulus Precious Passion White Floral Puff Sleeve Babydoll, $, available at Lulus

Puff-Sleeve Midi Dresses


Puff-sleeve dresses channel extra-in-the-best-way energy. But if you want to take the extra down a notch, consider a longer hemline. A midi dress can help tone down the look from “total princesscore” to “princesscore but acceptable at the farmer's market.”

Shop Hill House Home

Hill House Home The Louisa Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home


Frame Gathered Seam Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Frame


Reformation Davila Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation


Alexia Admor V-Neck Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dresses



Go long! Ahead are a few puff-sleeve maxi dresses that just skim the ground. And, to be sure, the tiered A-line skirts and thigh-high slits do allow for mobility.

Shop Free People

For Love And Lemons Serena Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People


House of CB Felizia Floral Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom


Lulus Effortless Romance Light Blue Satin Puff Sleeve Maxi, $, available at Lulus


Peixoto Logan Cotton Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Double-Puff Sleeve Dresses


What's puffier than a puff sleeve? A double-puff sleeve. This extra-romantic style comes with extra length in the sleeve for cooler summer days.

Shop Reformation

Reformation Michaela Dress, $, available at Reformation


Alamour The Label DALIDA DRESS, $, available at Alamour The Label

Casual Puff-Sleeve Dresses



Puffy sleeves automatically make any outfit look polished, but sometimes you want a little flair without looking overly dressy. Enter the casual puff-sleeve dress. These are dresses made from laid-back fabrics like cotton or linen but still pack in the volume. 

Shop Urban Outfitters

Glamorous Puff Sleeve Floral Mini Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters


ASTR The Label TALINA FLORAL CUTOUT MIDI DRESS, $, available at Astr The Label


Zara PRINTED MIDI DRESS, $, available at Zara


Chelsea28 Floral Eyelet Dress, $, available at Nordstrom


H&M Off-the-shoulder Dress, $, available at H&M

Extra Puffy Puff-Sleeve Dresses


Not to worry if you fear looking deflated — these next few puff-sleeve dresses are extra puffed and bubbled.

Shop MatchesFashion

Aje Dusk puff-sleeve linen-blend midi dress, $, available at MatchesFashion


Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People


Banana Republic PUFF-SLEEVE MAXI DRESS, $, available at Banana Republic


Sea Louie shirred patchwork printed cotton midi dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter


H&M Puff-sleeved Dress with Lacing, $, available at H&M


Farm Rio Beach Vibe Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio

Fancy Puff-Sleeve Dresses


It was only a matter of time before formal puff-sleeve dresses made their way into the likes of weddings, cocktail hours, galas, and other fancy-time affairs.

Shop Bergdorf Goodman

Bernadette Bobby Puff Sleeve Short Dress, $, available at Bergdorf Goodman


Selkie The Puff Dress, $, available at Revolve


Simone Rocha Puff-sleeve floral-cloqué midi dress, $, available at MatchesFashion


Cecilie Bahnsen Devina maxi dress, $, available at Farfetch


Roksanda Garance open-back faux pearl-embellished crepe midi, $, available at Net-A-Porter

Puff-Sleeve Dresses At Amazon


Amazon, a key source for affordable fashion finds, has a decent selection of puff-sleeve dresses. This one is a bestseller — and the next couple of styles get our stamp of approval as well.

Shop Amazon

Exlura Women's Lantern Sleeve Tie Back Casual Dress, $, available at Amazon


Dokotoo Puff Sleeve Chiffon Mini Dress, $, available at Amazon


R.Vivimos Puff Sleeves Bow Casual Off-Shoulder Boho Midi Dress, $, available at Amazon

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Puff Sleeve Dresses Are Winter's Nap Dresses

The Under-$40 Nap Dress Of Amazon

A Definitive Guide To Casual Summer Dresses

No comments:

Post a Comment