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

Maeve Puff-Sleeve Sweetheart Dress

Shop Anthropologie

Maeve Puff-Sleeve Sweetheart Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Hill House The Louisa Nap Dress

Shop Hill House

Hill House The Louisa Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House

Influence Plus Size Square Neck Puff Sleeve Dress

Shop ASOS

Influence Plus Size Square Neck Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at ASOS

Reformation Davila Linen Dress

Shop Reformation

Reformation Davila Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation

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

Farm Rio Beach Vibe Midi Dress

Shop Farm Rio

Farm Rio Beach Vibe Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio

Chelsea28 Floral Eyelet Dress

Shop Nordstrom

Chelsea28 Floral Eyelet Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Ulla Johnson Thelma Tiered Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress

Shop Bergdorf Goodman

Ulla Johnson Thelma Tiered Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Bergdorf Goodman

SEA Shirred Patchwork Printed Cotton Midi Dress

Shop Net-A-Porter

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 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

Let Me Be Off-The-Shoulder Puff-Sleeve Dress

Shop Anthropologie

Let Me Be Off-The-Shoulder Puff-Sleeve Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Zara Printed Short Dress

Shop Zara

Zara Printed Short Dress, $, available at Zara

Showpo Vashti Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

Shop Showpo

Showpo Vashti Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Showpo

Lulus So Stunning Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

Shop Lulus

Lulus So Stunning Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Lulus

Alamour The Label Dalida Dress

Shop Alamour The Label

Alamour The Label Dalida Dress, $, available at Alamour The Label

For Love & Lemons Paulina Puff Sleeve Dress

Shop Revolve

For Love & Lemons Paulina Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Revolve

Tuckernuck Mini Fuchsia French Dress

Shop Tuckernuck

Tuckernuck Mini Fuchsia French Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck

Selkie The Puff Dress

Shop Revolve

Selkie The Puff Dress, $, available at Revolve

EXLURA Lantern Sleeve Tie Back Casual Dress

Shop Amazon

Exlura Lantern Sleeve Tie Back Casual Dress, $, available at Amazon

Moon River Puff-Sleeve Babydoll Dress

Shop Anthropologie

Moon River Puff-Sleeve Babydoll Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Free-est Marina Mini Dress

Shop Free People

free-est Marina Mini Dress, $, available at Free People

Gap Puff Sleeve Ruffle Neck Mini Dress

Shop Gap

Gap Puff Sleeve Ruffle Neck Mini Dress, $, available at Gap

T.La Savannah Puff-Sleeved Mini Dress

Shop Anthropologie

t.la Savannah Puff-Sleeved Mini Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

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

Peixoto Logan Cotton Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress

Shop Saks Fifth Avenue

Peixoto Logan Cotton Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress

Shop Free People

Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People

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

Kimchi Blue Shara Puff Sleeve Dress

Shop Urban Outfitters

Kimchi Blue Shara Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Miss Selfridge Poplin Embroidered Bow Back Maxi Dress

Shop ASOS

Miss Selfridge Poplin Embroidered Bow Back Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS

Cecilie Bahnsen Devina Maxi Dress

Shop Farfetch

Cecilie Bahnsen Devina Maxi Dress, $, available at Farfetch

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