ComScore

34 Summer Dresses with Sleeves (That Won’t Cause You to Overheat)

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

Whether you’re hoping to get some extra protection from the sun, would rather not expose your arms or just prefer a more modest sleeve length, these breezy frocks have got you covered. Literally. And just because they’ve got more fabric up top doesn’t mean you’ll end the day in a gross, sweaty puddle. Here, 34 hot-weather-approved long-sleeve options to get you through the next few months in style.

The Best Swimwear Brands for Big Boobs, Long Torsos, Plus Sizes, Nursing Moms & Everything In Between


maaji dress with sleeves
Nordstrom

1. Maaji Wonderland Dreams Tunic Cover-up

This moody tropical floral will look just as good paired with strappy sandals and some statement earrings for afternoon brunch as it will tossed over your bathing suit for a day at the beach.

Available in sizes XS to L

staud dress with sleeves
Verishop

2. Staud Long Sleeve Carolina Dress

This bubblegum pink frock may have long balloon sleeves and a ruffled high neck, but the cotton fabric and flounced hem will help keep the air flowing and your skin feeling nice and cool.

Available in sizes 0 to 12

plus chicos dress with sleeves
Chico’s

3. Chico’s Santorini Print Short Dress

This breezy tent dress is named after a Greek island, meaning it’s definitely a great dress to pack for an island getaway (even if that island is more local and less glamorous than Santorini).

Available in sizes 0 to 22

lane bryant dress with sleeves
Lane Bryant

4. Lane Bryant Striped Maxi Dress

The slanted stripes of the bodice draw the eye up and in which is a super-easy way to create a slimming effect. The vertical stripes of the skirt, on the other hand will help elongate your frame no matter your hieght.

Buy it ($70; $42)

Available in sizes 10 to 28

misa los angeles dress with sleeves
Shopbop

5. Misa Lorena Dress

We’re obsessed with the florals-meets-tie-dye pattern on this mini, but even better is the incredibly lightweight chiffon it’s made from, which allows air to flow in and out with ease.

Available in sizes XS to XL

stine goya green dress with sleeves
Shopbop

6. Stine Goya Wendy Dress

This mint-green frock evokes images of a delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream cone (in the best way possible) and will keep you feeling just as cool.

Available in sizes XXS to XL

plus standards and practices denim dress with sleeves
Nordstrom

7. Standard & Practices Meme Tencel Midi Dress

A denim dress for summer? We say yes, provided you stick to lighter chambray fabrications and loose flowy silhouettes, like this elegant midi.

Available in sizes 1X to 3X

asos simply be dress with sleeves
ASOS

8. Simply Be Midi Tea Dress In Leopard Print

If super realistic animal prints just aren’t your thing you can absolutely still get in on the wilderness trend. Just look for more abstract variations, like these painterly spots, instead.

Available in sizes 12 to 22

who what wear white dress with sleeves
Target

9. Who What Wear 3/4 Sleeve Dress

The easiest way to balance the extra fabric of a long sleeve is by taking the hem up higher. Of course, adding buttons so you can adjust the amount of skin showing never hurts.

Buy it ($37)

Available in sizes 1X to 4X

plus madewell x banjanan dresses with sleeves
Madewell

10. Madewell X Banjanan Wrap Mini Dress In Bird Print

This adorable wrap is part of a gorgeous collaboration between Madewell and the eco-friendly brand Banjanan, which is based in Jaipur and known for its vibrant original prints and easy, flowing silhouettes.

Available in sizes XXS to 3X

all in favor dress with sleeves
Nordstrom

11. All In Favor Floral Smocked Waist Long Sleeve Minidress

Knot the ties at the neck into a loose bow for a little extra coverage or leave them hanging for a more boho vibe.

Available in sizes XS to XXL

vince dress with sleeves
Verishop

12. Vince Textured V-neck Midi Dress

Chic minimalism at its absolute finest, this golden-hued midi looks gorgeous on just about every skin tone and can just as easily be worn with flat tan sandals as with glittering heels and your favorite crystal earrings.

Available in sizes XXS to XL

who what wear pink dress with sleeves
Target

13. Who What Wear Short Sleeve Dress

Not entirely sold on that hot pink hue? (Though we swear it’s easier to pull off than you think.) This fit-and-flare frock also comes in classic white and a pretty black floral print.

Buy it ($37)

Available in sizes 1X to 4X

plus modcloth dress with sleeves
ModCloth

14. Burlesque Fluttering Romance Midi Dress

The fluttering sleeves on this lightweight floral dress offer just enough upper-arm coverage without feeling heavy or restrictive.

Buy it ($79)

Available in sizes L to 4X

apiece apart nyang nyang dress
11 honore

15. Apiece Apart Nyang Nyang Dress

Swap the matching string belt for a light brown leather one to really define your waist, or skip a belt altogether and embrace the tent dress silhouette.

Buy it ($375)

Available in sizes 14 to 22

free people dress with sleeves
Nordstrom

16. Free People Maya Midi Shirtdress

Unbutton the bottom few buttons to get some extra air flow and show off more of your gorgeous stems.

Available in sizes XS to XL

ava and viv dress with sleeves
Target

17. Ava & Viv Floral Print Short Sleeve Wrap Dress

Tropical blooms add a little vacation vibe to your day, even if your plan consists of nothing but sitting on your couch binge-watching The Office... again.

Buy it ($30; $24)

Available in sizes X to 4X

amazon black and white dress with sleeves
Amazon

18. Fancyinn Bell Sleeve Ruffle Hem Swing Mini Dress

While we’re big fans of this eye-popping black-and-white print, this dress also comes in a number of solid hues if that’s more your style.

Available in sizes XS to XL

plus eloquii brown dress with sleeves
Eloquii

19. Eloquii Dress With Dramatic Puff Sleeves

Wrap dresses aren’t always easy for those with big boobs to wear (too much cleavage, not enough fabric, lots of gaping), but the experts at Eloquii have cut this dress just so to wrap perfectly to show off just the right amount of clavicle.

Available in sizes 14 to 28

plus wray dress with sleeves
Wray

20. Wray Rosemary Dress

This billowing midi isn’t nearly as neon in person as you might fear. In fact, we’d venture to call it the ultimate shade of lime.

Buy it ($225)

Available in sizes XS to 4XL

plus tanya taylor dresses with sleeves
Tanya Taylor

21. Tanya Taylor Cynthia Dress

This mixed media maxi has an adjustable tie at the back of the bodice to ensure it fits your bust just so, whether you’re working with an A cup or a DD cup.

Available in sizes 0 to 22

shoshanna dress with sleeves
Shoshanna

22. Shoshanna Ari Dress

We came for the stunning yellow floral print, but stayed for the incredibly flattering mini peplum waist.

Available in sizes 0 to 14

line and dot dress with sleeves
Line and Dot

23. Line And Dot Embroidered Mini Dress

The combination of subtle daisy embroidery and a row of buttons at the back make this simple white frock feel a little more special.

Buy it ($106)

Available in sizes XS to L

self portrait dress with sleeves1
Shopbop

24. Self Portrait Rust Taffeta Midi Dress

This rust-hued midi combines two of our top favorite summer trends: puff sleeves and a square neckline.

Available in sizes 0 to 10

marimekko uniqlo dress with sleeves
Uniqlo

25. Uniqlo X Marimekko Linen Blended Shirt Dress

This ‘60s print may be bold but it’s also incredibly flattering and will easily mask any lumps or bumps you’d prefer to hide. All that for just $15...

Available in sizes XXS to XL

for love and lemons dress with sleeves
For Love and Lemons

26. For Love And Lemons Zinna Midi Dress

The matching belt is removable so you can continue to rock this pastel print long after summer dress season comes to a close. As for the dress itself, the small ruffle detail at the waist will help elongate your torso.

Available in sizes XXS to 2X

rebecca taylor indigo ikat silk dress
Saks Fifth Avenue

27. Rebecca Taylor Indigo Ikat Silk Dress

A shirred midsection gives shape to this flowy mini without pinching, a major bonus when you’re trying to beat the heat.

Available in sizes 00 to 16

lulus yellow dress with sleeves
Lulus

28. Lulus Wandering Heart Mustard Yellow Balloon Sleeve Mini Dress

This lightweight cotton isn’t just breathable, it’s also super soft for all day comfort.

Available in sizes XS to XL

lisa marie fernandez for target dress with sleeves
Target

29. Lisa Marie Fernandez For Target Polka Dot Puff Sleeve Shirtdress

If Moira Rose shopped at Target you know she’d for sure have this polka-dot frock in her shopping cart.

Buy it ($55; $25)

Available in sizes XXS to 3X

voloshin dress with sleeves
Voloshin

30. Voloshin Amer Tiered Dress

We first fell in love with Voloshin for its sustainable, fair trade business practices, but it’s the consistently gorgeous small batch collections that keep us coming back month after month to see what’s new.

Available in sizes XS to XL

plus eloquii green dress with sleeves
Eloquii

31. Eloquii Off The Shoulder Puff Sleeve Fit And Flare Dress

Just because you’d prefer to cover your arms doesn’t mean you can’t show a little collar bone and shoulder. Especially in a frock with a neckline as beautifully draped and folded as this one.

Available in sizes 14 to 28

rhode resort dress with sleeves
Matches Fashion

32. Rhode Ella Dress Thread Embroidery

Rhode’s Ella dress has become the calling card of the brand and a staple among fashion influencers. And while there are lots of prints and patterns (and some solid hues, too) to choose from, we think this wood-block floral print is perhaps one of the prettiest designs yet.

Available in sizes XS to XL

outerknown dress with sleeves
Outerknown

33. Outerknown Wildflower Dress

The neckline of this midi is fully elasticized so you can pull it down over your shoulders to create a sexy off-the-shoulder silhouette at will.

Buy it ($198)

Available in sizes XS to L

mara hofman dress with sleeves
11 honore

34. Mara Hoffman Adelina Dress

The ties of this wrap-front midi can be knotted at the back for a smooth silhouette or wrapped all the way around your waist to really cinch it and create an hourglass figure.

Available in sizes XL to 3X



unnamed

Editor

  • Covers fashion, trends and all things running
  • Received certification as an RRCA run coach
  • Has worked in fashion for over a decade