32 Puff Sleeve Dresses For A Trip Down Cottagecore Memory Lane

A funny thing happened to our dress sleeves the last few years — they ballooned to cloud-like proportions. Our 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 (that can also fall within cottagecore and boho territory) is only blowing 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: casual fall dresses and 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 Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters Iris Floral Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

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

Only Curve Puff Sleeve Wrap Midi Dress

Shop ASOS

Only Curve Plus Size Puff Sleeve Wrap Midi Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Madewell Poplin Cutout Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress

Shop Madewell

Madewell Poplin Cutout Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Madewell

Everlane The TENCEL Puff-Sleeve Dress

Shop Everlane

Everlane The TENCEL Puff-Sleeve Dress, $, available at Everlane

Reformation Lacey Dress

Shop Reformation

Reformation Lacey Dress, $, available at Reformation

Chelsea28 Pleated Puff Shoulder Long Sleeve Midi Dress

Shop Nordstrom

Chelsea28 Pleated Puff Shoulder Long Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Noralee Dolly Dress

Shop Noralee

Noralee Dolly Dress, $, available at Noralee

Hill House The Louisa Nap Dress

Shop Hill House

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

Frame Puff Sleeve Dress

Shop Frame

Frame Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Frame

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

LoveShackFancy Kesari Dress

Shop LoveShackFancy

LoveShackFancy Kesari Dress, $, available at loveshackfancy

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 nights. Here are a few selects that are short in length but amped when it comes to sleeves. Whether they’re short sleeve or long sleeve dresses, the volume is always on high.

Shop ASOS

ASOS DESIGN One Shoulder Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at ASOS

Gap Puff Sleeve Smocked Mini Dress

Shop Gap

Gap Puff Sleeve Smocked Mini Dress, $, available at Gap

EXLURA Lantern Sleeve Tie Back Dress

Shop Amazon

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

Likely Hansen Dress

Shop Revolve

Likely Hansen Dress, $, available at Revolve

Quince 100% European Linen Smocked Mini Dress

Shop Quince

Quince 100% European Linen Smocked Mini Dress, $, available at Quince

Lulus So Stunning Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

Shop Lulus

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

Sister Jane Maria Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

Shop Urban Outfitters

Sister Jane Maria Jacquard Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Eliza J Puff Sleeve Cotton Shirtdress

Shop Nordstrom

Eliza J. Puff Sleeve Cotton Shirtdress, $, available at Nordstrom

T.La Savannah Puff-Sleeved Mini Dress

Shop Anthropologie

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

Socialite Ruched Puff Sleeve Minidress

Shop Nordstrom

Socialite Ruched Puff Sleeve Minidress, $, available at Nordstrom

Selkie The Puff Dress

Shop Revolve

Selkie The Puff Dress, $, available at Revolve

Showpo Vashti Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

Shop Showpo

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

Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dresses

Go long! Ahead are a few puff-sleeve maxi dresses (and gowns) that just skim the ground (or sit slightly above at ankle length). And, to be sure, the tiered A-line skirts do allow for mobility.

Shop Dôen

Dôen Rhodia Dress, $, available at Dôen