A funny thing happened to our dress sleeves the last few years — they ballooned to cloud-like proportions. Our 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 skirts or something more casual for daily wear.
Because this big-time trend (that can also fall within cottagecore and boho territory) is only blowing up even further, 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, we've compiled the best puff sleeve mini, midi, and maxi dresses for a range of different occasions (think: casual fall dresses and puff sleeve cocktail dresses). Click on for the best puff sleeve dresses that rewrite the definition of "arm party."
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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 skirt length can help tone down the look from “total princesscore” to “princesscore but acceptable at the farmer's market.”
Sea Shirred Patchwork Printed Cotton Midi Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Puff Sleeve Mini Dresses
Mini dresses are for leggy moments, long strides, and hot nights. Here are a few selects that are short in length but amped when it comes to sleeves. Whether they're short sleeve or long sleeve dresses, the volume is always on high.
Showpo Vashti Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Showpo
Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dresses
Go long! Ahead are a few puff-sleeve maxi dresses (and gowns) that just skim the ground (or sit slightly above at ankle length). And, to be sure, the tiered A-line skirts do allow for mobility.
If there's one thing that's basically catnip for fashion lovers, it's a hot-off-the-presses Target designer collab — and this next one is one for the books. Well, maybe textbooks.
Just in time for back-to-school season, Target has announced its fall designer collection, and it's with none other than Rowing Blazers. The American design label is best known for its irreverent, modern interpretation of the classics: Think suiting, knitwear, rugby shirts, and the like that enjoy a cult following.
Rowing Blazers x Target will span over 100 pieces across adult and kids’, accessories, home, outdoor, and even swag for your furry friends. Prices start from $5, and apparel items will be available in sizes from XXS-5X. The collection drops on September 23 in select stores and online, so be sure to set your reminders — as with past Target collabs, the most coveted pieces always sell out within minutes. Ahead, peruse the collection's lookbook and read along as Rowing Blazers' founder and creative director (and former US national rowing team coxswain!) Jack Carlson walks us through the collection.
