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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
We hold jewelry close to our hearts, and to close out AAPI month, we’re sharing designers you can celebrate and shop year-round. All the brands we’ve rounded up have collections that range from dainty to quirky, but each one is embracing 2023’s top jewelry trends. You’ll find everything from nameplate necklaces to affordable wedding bands to pieces that embody Y2K maximalism.
No matter the month, we’ll continue adding new buzzy AAPI-owned brands to this roundup, so don’t forget to check back. Whether you’re in the mood for some whimsical rainbow baubles to pair with your colorful summer looks or you’re a pristine member of the “quiet luxury” era, scroll ahead to find five AAPI-owned jewelry brands to add to your shopping list.
Look no further for the maximalist jewelry of your dreams with BONBONWHIMS. The jewelry brand’s founder and CEO, Clare Ngai, brings the nostalgia of neon colors and Y2K style to your doorstep with chunky rings in a rainbow of hues and frosty baubles that have your initial.
If you grew up never seeing your cultural name on nameplate jewelry, you can now. Kinn’s CEO and founder, Jennie Yoon, created a nameplate collection called Dear Kaia for people with Asian names as well as English ones. (The bracelet and necklaces can be customized with your Korean, Chinese, or Japanese name.) The dainty pieces are subtle enough to be worn daily and are a loving reminder to always be proud of where you came from.
When it came to their own jewelry company Amer New York, sisters Shreya and Avisha found inspiration from the gold and diamond heirlooms they were gifted growing up. The two strive to design timeless gemstone jewelry pieces that can be passed down to future generations. Gemstones have a special meaning to the siblings, as they believe in the powers behind certain stones.
Sisters Payal and Kajal Vitha are third-generation diamond experts. Growing up, they shadowed their father who has worked in the jewelry industry for over 30 years. Now, as the founders of Sonu, their mission is to assist every couple with the design of their forever rings without having to break the bank.
Mejuri has become a household jewelry name among celebs like Selena Gomez and Bella Hadid and street style stars, and it’s all thanks to founder Noura Sakkijha. The Toronto-based brand is loved for its minimalistic styles like the famous croissant earrings, herringbone necklaces, and stackable rings.
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 something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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In Refinery29’s Talking Shop series, we’re chatting with owners of up-and-coming small businesses about their experiences launching, the big challenges and wins they’ve faced, and of course, their products and services.
Eco-friendly clothing may bring to mind earthy neutrals that lean granola, but Verloop proves that sustainability can come in a variety of stripes — and checks and squiggles and flowers. The AAPI-owned sustainable accessories brand gives life to deadstock yarn (excess material no longer needed after production) and creates one-of-a-kind items beloved for their bright and bold designs. Its cheerful site sells colorful mini totes, pouches, trendy bucket hats, slippers, and countless home decor items, all created with leftover textile materials. While reusing fabric may seem like a no-brainer, it’s not as simple as it sounds. It takes a team of experts and designers to carefully craft the whimsical Verloop accessories you see today.
Verloop’s story goes beyond simple sustainably driven practices. It’s also an heirloom brand that draws from experiences and family history. The deadstock is sourced directly from the factory owned by founder Ella Lim’s family which was first started by her grandfather in the ’80s, now run by her mother. Specializing in producing knit goods for U.S. name brands, the factory now repurposes the excess materials on-site for Verloop. It’s a full-circle practice that requires constant creativity and innovation, all while looking to the past for inspiration. With Verloop now in its 11th year of operation, we took time to interview Lim to understand where her love for knits stemmed from, as well as her drive to be environmentally conscious in each step of production.
Repurposing limited quantities of deadstock and different textures of yarn is like a puzzle. The process takes longer, but the creative challenge of designing into existing materials is so rewarding and allows us to make truly unique knits.
Verloop dEsigner and Founder, Ella Lim
Where did this love for knit stem from?
“I grew up in my mom’s knitting factory and shadowed her as she built her business producing knit accessories for major brands and retailers in the US. So I was exposed to machine knitting from an early age. It’s very conducive to small-batch production as you only use the yarn you need, there isn’t the same level of waste as a cut-and-sew factory, and the creative possibilities are endless.”
“I really like the technical aspects of the trade as well as the creative possibilities offered by knitting. Verloop really started as a creative outlet and solution to use the deadstock yarn left over in the factory after production. Deadstock is a reality for any producer, but most factories just throw it away. I wanted to find a way to use it and that became Verloop. I didn’t know if people would get it—there wasn’t a mainstream understanding of deadstock at the time. But I viewed it as a design challenge and I really wanted to try.”
I saw that Verloop Knits are created in a family-owned factory in the Philippines. Could you expand a bit about that?
“We make everything under one roof – we don’t outsource — and our factory team has just as much of a hand in the design process as I do. The factory was founded by my grandfather in the 80s and is now run by my mom. From the start, its sole focus has been on knit accessories, making them for top US brands and retailers. Our factory team are truly experts at knitting and have perfected things that are hard to get right, like well-fitting gloves and slippers that are knit without creating extra waste. You can see that same level of expertise and quality across all Verloop styles.”
When it comes to all the knits you’ve designed, what is the proudest style that you’ve created for Verloop thus far?
“We introduced slippers a few years ago, and they’ve truly become a game changer for our business. We invested a lot of time and resources to perfect their fit, comfort, and sizing. Our slippers are known for their cushioned padded soles that we developed in-house alongside our factory team. They’re also fully washable. Now we have customers that collect them, get new pairs for themselves or as gifts, season after season. They’re worn all year round. It’s so rewarding to see our pieces make people happy day in and day out.”
“My favorite piece is our Simple Rib Beanie. We developed a way to make these beanies so that there’s minimal yarn waste. They’re super flattering and truly fit everyone. They’re also so soft and comfortable. Every season we launch like 10 new colors and they always sell out.”
Are there any new styles that we should be on the lookout for?
“We launched some new bags this spring that we’re really excited about. The Scrap Stuffed Tote is a see-through puffy quilted bag that works in our hardest-to-use deadstock remnants. We took separator yarn—used between pieces of machine knitting—and cut it up into stuffing, then quilted it with semi-transparent ripstop fabric. Ordinarily, this separator yarn would have been snipped off and discarded. But we’ve been saving ours, knowing we wanted to figure out a way to use it. Each bag is handmade and one-of-kind. It took a lot of experimentation to get the quilting technique right and we just love how it turned out. The plush and colorful stuffing in these bags is just one way we reduce textile waste with creative solutions.”
“We also launched raffia bags and pouches that use deadstock viscose raffia (made from wood pulp) that we sourced from another manufacturer. Every factory has deadstock in some shape or form, usually because materials are ordered with a bit of padding to make sure they don’t run out during production. We’ve expanded ours to include remnant materials from other producers. It’s exciting to start building those relationship and an added challenge for us to figure out how to use the different surplus materials that are out there.”
What message do you wish to deliver to new shoppers about Verloop?
“We want people to know that sustainable design can be colorful, expressive, and fit their personal style. It doesn’t have to be serious or toned down. The fact that we use deadstock is part of what makes our pieces so fun and colorful because we’re mixing existing materials together in spontaneous, unexpected ways.”
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.
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By this time of the year, closets have been overhauled and swimsuits are out of storage. It also means it's time to start adding some summer fashion must-haves to our wardrobes.
With trends like metallic cowboy boots and maxi denim skirts, this summer promises to deliver some memorable fashion moments. And while the plethora of warm-weather styles bouncing around might seem confusing, our editors are focused on trying out the ones that are worth the long-term investment.
From worth-the-price jeans to travel-friendly bags and on-the-go sandals, here are the best items our team tried and loved last month.
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. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Mother Denim The Funnel Sneak
“I am in my denim era: After years of boring skinny jeans, 2023’s denim trends are more exciting than ever, and I am fully embracing jean maxi skirts and unexpected styles. This extra-wide-leg style from Mother’s SNACKS! line looks just as good with sneakers and tank tops as with a button-down and heels.” — Irina Grechko, fashion director
Mother Denim The Funner Sneak, $, available at Mother Denim
Closed Nikka Jeans
"As a petite human, I'm always on the hunt for oversized jeans that don't swallow me whole. This pair from Closed is definitely an investment, but I've already gotten my fair share of wear out of them. They are buttery soft — literally feel like sweatpants — and the silhouette feels streamlined almost like a trouser, so I look put-together without feeling stiff. I've dressed these up with boots and heels, but they look just as good with sneakers or ballet flats." — Kate Spencer, senior affiliate strategist
Closed Closed Nikka wide-leg Jeans, $, available at Farfetch
Maguire Alina Black Sandal
“I notoriously hate summer fashion, but this platform pair from Maguire is making me reconsider the season’s footwear. I’ve worn them so far to everything from a vineyard day to running errands.” — Frances Solá-Santiago, fashion writer
Maguire Alina Black Sandal, $, available at Maguire
Mango Denim Midi Skirt
“Of course, I jumped on spring's must-have denim skirt trend. I can't wait to wear it with my Schutz knee-high blocked heel boots for a night out, but this casual-Sunday-winery-tour fit is definitely more of my day-to-day style.” — Carli Whitwell, senior director of editorial
“Earlier in May, I went on a two-week vacation to Japan. Making sure to leave half of my suitcase empty for gifts to bring back, I packed a lineup of clothes that I could easily mix and match. This set fits the bill — working together and as separates, with the skirt pairing with cashmere sweaters and the vest serving as an extra layer over tank tops and tees.” — Irina Grechko, fashion director
Dissh Banks Natural Linen Vest, $, available at Dissh
Dissh Roberts Natural Linen Midi Skirt, $, available at Dissh
Everlane The Tencel Oversized Blazer
"This blazer is a great wardrobe staple and the perfect weight to layer over a tee or tank in the spring and summer. It feels breezy, but structured and slightly oversized — catch me in the office wearing this with shorts and sandals." — Kate Spencer, senior affiliate strategy
Everlane Tencel Oversized Blazer, $, available at Everlane
Eledera Classica Mule
"While I've been forgoing heels more and more over the past few years, I find myself wanting some height from time to time. These mules by Eledera are the perfect balance of comfort and height, featuring a nearly two-inch block heel." — Frances Solá-Santiago, fashion writer
Eledera Classica Mule Tan, $, available at Eledera
Artizia Satin Blouse
“If I'm being honest, I didn't buy this blouse. My mom did — for herself. But I was home one weekend and needed to borrow a shirt to go out and I took it and promised to give it back before slipping it into my weekend bag. She'll never notice, right?” — Carli Whitwell, senior director of editorial
"I feel like we're all on the forever hunt for the perfect pair of denim shorts, and these baggy babies from Pistola are perfect for me in terms of a relaxed option. The denim is super soft, and while they do fall a bit long on my leg, I think they're a fun spin on the classic jort that can be styled up or down." — Kate Spencer, senior affiliate strategist
Pistola Kelly 90s Skater Short, $, available at Pistola
Cuyana Double Moon Saddle Bag & Closed
“These were my two other go-to's during my trip. The jeans (I told you I was in my denim era) from Closed feature a double waistband, adding a touch of interest to even the most boring outfits. Meanwhile, Cuyana’s newest Double Moon Saddle Bag, which also comes in neutral colors and in a fun belt silhouette, is the perfect travel size, fitting just enough essentials without weighing you down.” — Irina Grechko, fashion director
