Scroll down for a code that’ll get you 10% off at Lirola Designs!
Reader SarahN asked me to track down some darling dresses that have actual sleeves attached, which she aptly described as being “rarer than hen’s teeth.” Why do I cling to my bolero collection? Because sleeved dresses are ridiculously hard to find and, even in summer, I’d rather keep my arms covered. I mean seriously, who wants to shave the pits every damned day? I snap up sleeved dresses whenever I find ones I adore since many styles that DO include sleeves are strangely proportioned, boxy, or otherwise unappealing.
But there are a few marvelous dresses out there that sport sleeves, even ones that will work during the sweltering heat. Here are a few of my personal faves.
That knot-front detail flatters many figures and check out the cute print! There are only a few of these guys left since they’re on clearance, so act fast, ladies.
Land’s End shirt dress, $49.99I’m wearing the red version of this dress in the top photo, and have it in three other shades as well. It quickly became a wardrobe staple for me once I discovered how sassily flattering it truly was. This style is available in petites, and this version with a slimmer-fitting skirt is available in plus sizes.
Donna Morgan print shift, $118The Donna Morgan line, sold at Nordstrom, has several cute printed shifts in this style. Some are short enough to serve as tunics, though, so beware!
eShakti shirt dress, $64.95Shirt dresses are always a good bet if you’re seeking sleeves. This eShakti one is so darling, with its cheeky polka dots and sweet sash. And remember, eShakti lets you customize length and fit, and sizes from 0 to 26!
Another Boden find, this one a lightweight sweater dress. Sweater dresses are also frequently sleeved, and if you find a fiber or weave that’s breezy enough, they can still work for summer. Mid-weight ones can be worn year-round, as they make fabulous layers.
Kiyonna Flaunt Dress, $108The website bills this as a cocktail dress, but I think this is totally workplace-friendly. Dress it down with some fun pumps and a necklace, and voila!
Cute, comfy, timeless. Comes in four colors and is made from four-season-friendly cotton-modal blend.
ECI Eyelet shift, $148This dress looks astonishingly short on the model, so it might work better as a tunic … but I just adore the sheer sleeves and oversized eyelet detailing so I had to throw it in.
Igigi Francesca dress, $162I adore jewel tones, and this fab frock comes in teal, raspberry, and a dusty sapphire in addition to this lush purple.
Lirola is an Etsy seller who custom-fits her garments, you might actually be able to tack sleeves onto any of her pieces … but she already designs about a dozen sleeved dresses that make my heart skip a beat. Love the neckline detailing on this one …
… and the simple grace of this one. Most dresses are available in several colors, too.
Sigh. Isn’t she lovely, my friends? J.Crew’s Super 120s are a bit heavy for summer wear, but work beautifully for the other three seasons. This dress comes in charcoal, black, and navy … here’s hoping they do some autumnal tones come fall.
Any of these strike your fancy? Can you folks recommend any other shops or websites that consistently stock cute dresses with sleeves?
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I also prefer some coverage on my arms (due to weird massive biceps related hand-ups)! I would say that about 70% of my dresses have sleeves.
Anyway, people tree currently has a number of lovely dresses with sleeves, that I would snap up if I werent saving all my pennies for my wedding!
The Lands End wrap dress is down to $40 – and they're offering free shipping right now. Just trying to decide on the color! Thanks Sal – sleeves matter to me too.
I've never purchased from Shabby Apple, but my friends have and I've spent some time ogling their beautiful, wearable dresses.
I've noticed that you can find slightly more sleeved options the past seasons, maybe because of the 1950's revival?
Thanks for these suggestions!
Title Nine has the Horny Toad Jolie dress, in green. I have it in Blue and Cayenne from the fall – very flattering and comfortable:
http://www.titlenine.com/product/skorts-skirts-dresses/casual-dresses/162514.do?sortby=ourPicks
Perfect! i've actually had that wrap dress from lands end, in navy, sitting in my shopping bag for several days but never got around to ordering, just put it in – thanks for the heads up, cynthia!
Talbot's has a dress on sale that is a lot like the Lands end one. I got it in black.
I LOVE the eyelet shift. I wish it was a wearable length.
the JCrew dress strikes my fancy! they always have such classy clothing, great quality and styling.
I love that eyelet lace dress! Thanks for this post, the way my body is built, I look better with at least a cap sleeve. And for work, sleeves are a must.
I love the shirt dresses. They are so cute and perfect for every occasion.
Love those Land's End dresses! Wish they were within my budget… but I'm done buying for a couple of months
((((
How funny, I'm actually wearing a red dress with sleeves today. I got it at a gap outlet in MA.
Amanda
I love shirtdresses this season–they're definitely having their moment in the sun, so it's easy to find them in stores. Finding the perfect one though–that's another matter.
That color looks fabulous on you!
xx Love & Aloha
**I have a little giveaway going on, swing by to enter!
Your dress is so beautiful! Red is a wonderful color on you.
Hope you are having a great week so far!
xoxo
Amy
and of course, don't forget vintage!
I love that Donna Morgan shift dress… gorgeous!
I also prefer sleeves to my dresses as,well sometimes I am too lazy to shave (and I don't like to shave my armpit,bad for the hairs,prefer wax).
And I do need to have my upper over arm (is that the right word for the part coming from the shoulder to over the elbow?) not too fresh. Or at least cap sleeves.
But what a deception regarding the last JCrew dress for Petite (yeah my size): that is totally UNFAIR they do not ship to Europe pfff!!!
I really like to get that dress as it is a classic must have but can't. OK JCrew come to us.
And I did notice the dresses (and others) from Lirola's Etsy store before and they are just great.
Today (14) is our National Day (in France).
By the way your captcha does not show on my computer (using last version of Firefox for Mac) and had to download it.
Your post reminded me of a Lirola dress I've had in my "favorites" on etsy for awhile–so I ordered it this morning! Liron wrote back and asked if she wa son a blog somewhere because her traffic was up–directed her to your post, where she made the awesome 10% off offer. So far I've been very impressed with her service! I wear dresses with sleeves to work because I have extensive tattoo art from the elbows up on both arms. I wear a lot of vintage and I've also found quite a few Maggy London or London times dresses that fit the bill.
This is fantastic, Sal, thank you. That Francesca dress will be perfect for my company's holiday party, and I'm excited to discover Lirola's shop. I'm new to the whole Etsy thing, but now I know where I'll be spending all my free time!
I've gotten so many long-sleeved dresses in the past couple of years…from an Antik Batik sequined mini to (of course) my billow-y sleeved Ossie Clarks. And to think I never used to like them!
These are all fantastic suggestions! That Lirola coupon code just might make me take the leap and finally buy one of her dresses. She's been in my favorites for ages.
I like the Land's End pieces. I need some sleeved dresses too. I have a shoulder tattoo that I don't like to show at work.
i totally agree on the sleeve front (although I do wear sleeveless too, I'm happier with my arms covered). I recommend Zara. Although lots of the dresses are sleeveless, they do have some with sleeves and they are very stylish. Will probably be wearing one tomorrow, in fact.
You are a great advertisement for that Land's End shirt dress. After seeing your photo, especially with your cute boots, I really wanted to know where you got it!
Great question! I prefer dresses with sleeves as well (I mean, you're already showing some leg, right?). I like Calvin Klein — they have some good shift dresses with short sleeves (a little shorter than what you have pictured, but more than a capsleeve).
Indian kurti's are just perfect for summers. I recently bought some from the site kaneesha.com they have amazing collection of trendy kurtis. I will say worth visiting the site http://www.kaneesha.com/tunic-top_index.cfm
Kurta tops are great! I'm generally okay with sleeveless, but kurtas are dead handy to wear over spaghetti straps and superlow necklines (ugh, the last does drive me nuts, much more than lack of sleeves). They're great also for toning down some rather summery (read: a bit too short or formfitting) dresses in my wardrobe, that I could not wear otherwise for work. They are also cool, easy and made for temps like we're having right now, hovering around 35º-40ºC/ 95º-104ºF
On another note, I have a pretty similar red shirtdress like the one in the first picture. It's gorgeous on you, and I can say that mine never fails to get me lots of wonderful compliments, supporting my personal theory that more women should at least give a shot at red dresses
Those are some good picks. It's hard to find dresses off the rack with sleeves nowadays. Just about everything is sleeveless even in the winter months! I hate my arms and its a challenge to find dresses with a short sleeve or 3/4 sleeves. Good thing I can sew, that way I can alter stuff!
I like to have a couple of sleeved dresses for more formal events in the winter so I don't need to carry around a sweater or a wrap. I'm pretty sure I've gotten all of mine from either thrift stores or the Van Heusen outlet- they usually have a ton of faux wrap dresses that are really cute.