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 skirts or something more casual for daily wear.
Because this big-time trend is only about to blow 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: 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 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 skirt length can help tone down the look from “total princesscore” to “princesscore but acceptable at the farmer’s market.”
Shop Frame
Frame Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Frame
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462890.png?auto=webp&width=1080&height=1620&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Maeve Puff-Sleeve Sweetheart Dress
Shop Anthropologie
Maeve Puff-Sleeve Sweetheart Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462909.png?auto=webp&width=800&height=1000&quality=85&crop=4:5)
Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
Shop Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462914.png?auto=webp&width=1394&height=1486&quality=85&crop=697:743)
Hill House The Louisa Nap Dress
Shop Hill House
Hill House The Louisa Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House
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Influence Plus Size Square Neck Puff Sleeve Dress
Shop ASOS
Influence Plus Size Square Neck Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at ASOS
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11411668.png?auto=webp&width=2560&height=3413&quality=85&crop=2560:3413)
Reformation Davila Linen Dress
Shop Reformation
Reformation Davila Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11411897.png?auto=webp&width=1365&height=2048&quality=85&crop=1365:2048)
ROKSANDA Open-Back Pearl-Embellished Crepe Midi Dress
Shop Net-A-Porter
Roksanda Open-Back Pearl-Embellished Crepe Midi Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter
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Farm Rio Beach Vibe Midi Dress
Shop Farm Rio
Farm Rio Beach Vibe Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11411780.png?auto=webp&width=1560&height=2392&quality=85&crop=15:23)
Chelsea28 Floral Eyelet Dress
Shop Nordstrom
Chelsea28 Floral Eyelet Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462897.png?auto=webp&width=1440&height=2016&quality=85&crop=5:7)
Ulla Johnson Thelma Tiered Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress
Shop Bergdorf Goodman
Ulla Johnson Thelma Tiered Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Bergdorf Goodman
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SEA Shirred Patchwork Printed Cotton Midi Dress
Shop Net-A-Porter
Sea Shirred Patchwork Printed Cotton Midi Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter
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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 Urban Outfitters
Sister Jane Maria Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters
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Let Me Be Off-The-Shoulder Puff-Sleeve Dress
Shop Anthropologie
Let Me Be Off-The-Shoulder Puff-Sleeve Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462841.png?auto=webp&width=1280&height=1920&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Zara Printed Short Dress
Shop Zara
Zara Printed Short Dress, $, available at Zara
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Showpo Vashti Puff Sleeve Mini Dress
Shop Showpo
Showpo Vashti Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Showpo
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462856.png?auto=webp&width=1120&height=1680&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Lulus So Stunning Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress
Shop Lulus
Lulus So Stunning Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Lulus
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11411733.png?auto=webp&width=1500&height=2250&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Alamour The Label Dalida Dress
Shop Alamour The Label
Alamour The Label Dalida Dress, $, available at Alamour The Label
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For Love & Lemons Paulina Puff Sleeve Dress
Shop Revolve
For Love & Lemons Paulina Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Revolve
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Tuckernuck Mini Fuchsia French Dress
Shop Tuckernuck
Tuckernuck Mini Fuchsia French Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck
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Selkie The Puff Dress
Shop Revolve
Selkie The Puff Dress, $, available at Revolve
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11411995.png?auto=webp&width=679&height=934&quality=85&crop=679:934)
EXLURA Lantern Sleeve Tie Back Casual Dress
Shop Amazon
Exlura Lantern Sleeve Tie Back Casual Dress, $, available at Amazon
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462819.png?auto=webp&width=1080&height=1620&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Moon River Puff-Sleeve Babydoll Dress
Shop Anthropologie
Moon River Puff-Sleeve Babydoll Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
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Free-est Marina Mini Dress
Shop Free People
free-est Marina Mini Dress, $, available at Free People
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Gap Puff Sleeve Ruffle Neck Mini Dress
Shop Gap
Gap Puff Sleeve Ruffle Neck Mini Dress, $, available at Gap
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11411609.png?auto=webp&width=1450&height=2175&quality=85&crop=2:3)
T.La Savannah Puff-Sleeved Mini Dress
Shop Anthropologie
t.la Savannah Puff-Sleeved Mini Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
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Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dresses
Go long! Ahead are a few puff-sleeve maxi dresses that just skim the ground (or sit slightly above it). And, to be sure, the tiered A-line skirts do allow for mobility.
Shop Nordstrom
House of CB Felizia Floral Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
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Peixoto Logan Cotton Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress
Shop Saks Fifth Avenue
Peixoto Logan Cotton Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
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Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress
Shop Free People
Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11412017.png?auto=webp&width=419&height=879&quality=85&crop=419:879)
R.Vivimos Cotton Plaid Puff Sleeve Bow Off-Shoulder Dress
Shop Amazon
R.Vivimos Cotton Plaid Puff Sleeve Bow Off-Shoulder Dress, $, available at Amazon
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462974.png?auto=webp&width=976&height=1463&quality=85&crop=976:1463)
Kimchi Blue Shara Puff Sleeve Dress
Shop Urban Outfitters
Kimchi Blue Shara Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11462946.png?auto=webp&width=753&height=999&quality=85&crop=251:333)
Miss Selfridge Poplin Embroidered Bow Back Maxi Dress
Shop ASOS
Miss Selfridge Poplin Embroidered Bow Back Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11411847.png?auto=webp&width=1000&height=1335&quality=85&crop=200:267)
Cecilie Bahnsen Devina Maxi Dress
Shop Farfetch
Cecilie Bahnsen Devina Maxi Dress, $, available at Farfetch
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