Long-Sleeve Plus Size Dresses We Need This Season
Dresses with sleeves are essential for the colder months.
A good dress is the easiest way to look pulled together and chic — not to mention that dresses are generally super comfortable (in our opinion, dresses are way more comfortable than skinny jeans). In the summer, it's easy to throw on a dress and go, but in the fall and winter, it gets a bit more tricky. You might have to layer, or throw on tights and a cashmere cardigan, which can (sadly) hide a gorgeous plus size dress. However, the same isn’t true if you opt for a long-sleeve plus size dress, which is basically the greatest fashion invention in recent memory. Our long-sleeve dress obsession began maybe 10 years ago when we first laid eyes on Ali MacGraw’s red long-sleeve number in the 1970 romantic comedy, Love Story. At that time, long-sleeve, a-line dresses that were cinched at the waist were not easy to come by — especially in that same gorgeous shade of red. We’ve been searching for a replica of that exact dress ever since.
Thankfully, more and more designers are realizing long-sleeve dresses are fashionable, functional, and chic. This season, we're seeing more long-sleeve dresses than ever before, and there are long-sleeve, winter-ready dresses for every occasion. Try a warm velvet dress in deep jewel tones like burgundy, forest green, and plum for holiday parties. For a Sunday brunch with friends, long-sleeve bodycon sweater dresses paired with tights and ankle boots will keep you warm, comfortable, and polished. For work, just throw on a pretty long-sleeve shirt dress. TBH, the options are endless.
Here are our favorite long-sleeve plus size dresses of the season.
Easy Midi Dress
If you’re headed to a wedding (especially a destination wedding), we think this long-sleeve lilac dress is a great option. It's simple, chic, and its color is so pretty. It's also the kind of piece you can wear over and over again.
Shop the Eloquii Easy Lightweight Midi Dress in Sheer Lilac for $149.90 at Eloquii.
Tie Neck Midi Dress
For work, this long-sleeve frock is a no-brainer. It's lightweight and comfortable with a polished bow at the neck, and it comes in a variety of colors, from green and black to floral print. You may even want to double up!
Shop the Eloquii Stretch-Knit Tie Neck Midi Dress in Pine Trail for $129.90 at Eloquii.
Lace Cold-Shoulder Sweatshirt Dress
Sweatshirt dresses are another great invention. They’re comfortable and cozy, but they’re dresses, so you feel like you’re trying (much better than wearing sweatpants to brunch on the weekend, but practically just as comfortable). This Lane Bryant long-sleeve sweatshirt dress goes above and beyond with feminine lace detailing at the shoulders to make you look even more put together. People probably won’t even realize you’re wearing a giant sweatshirt.
Shop the Lane Bryant Lace Cold-Shoulder Sweatshirt Dress for $69.95 at Lane Bryant.
Flounce-Sleeve Lace Dress
Date night is about to get a little more fun thanks to this lace dress by Lane Bryant. In two bright shades — dark purple and everglade — it’s definitely a standout, and won’t require much accessorizing. We love its a-line shape and pretty flounce sleeves. So cute!
Shop the Lane Bryant Flounce-Sleeve Lace Dress for $99.95 at Lane Bryant.
Burnout Blouson-Sleeve Swing Dress
Long sleeve aren’t all the same, as you may have noticed. We love this long-sleeve swing dress, which has romantic blouson sleeves accented with frills on the sides. Plus, its dusty rose color is so gorgeous.
Shop the Lane Bryant Burnout Blouson-Sleeve Swing Dress for $69.95 at Lane Bryant.
Plaid Bodycon Sweater Dress
Sweater dresses are perfect for the winter months, and this plaid body conscious number is one option that will work for so many occasions — from date nights at the movies to daytime errands to work. Like sweatshirt dresses, sweater dresses make you feel like you’re enveloped in a big, cozy sweater. We also love the v-neck, which is complementary to those with larger busts.
Shop the Torrid Plaid Bodycon Sweater Dress for $74.90 at Torrid.
Burgundy Floral Chiffon Midi Dress
For holiday parties, turn to this pretty burgundy, long-sleeve chiffon dress with a delicate floral pattern. It has a split v-neck, a comfy stretch waist, and tiered hem. Plus, it’s lined!
Shop the Torrid Burgundy Floral Chiffon Midi Dress for $74.90 at Torrid.
Collectif x MC Go Vogue Fit and Flare Dress
Audrey Hepburn devotees, here’s a long-sleeve dress you will absolutely love. It's a classic, retro-inspired LBD with a velvet bodice and voluminous tulle skirt. Wear it with a pair of studded earrings and your trusty black heels, and you’ll be good to go. P.S.: A red lip would contribute just the right amount of color to this ensemble.
Fair and Forward Velvet Dress
If you haven’t noticed, velvet is back, and it’s taking over this season. We’re all in for this trend, especially when it comes to this black a-line skater dress with a dark green floral pattern, black and gold trimmed bell sleeves, and defined waist.
Shop the Banned Fair and Forward Velvet Dress with Dark Green Floral Pattern for $89 at ModCloth.
Rose Lace Midi
Feminine ladies will love this rose-colored lace long-sleeve dress, complete with chiffon frill trims and a thin chiffon waistband.
Shop the Little Mistress Rose Lace Midi Dress with Three-Quarter Sleeves for $98 at Coedition.
Junarose Printed Dress
For a cute everyday dress, slip on this comfortable, chic navy and white floral swing number, which you can leave in your closet all year round. Just layer it in the fall and winter!
Shop the Junarose Navy Floral-Printed Dress with Boat Neck for $79 at Coedition.
Standards & Practices Elsie Peasant Dress
If you love all things bohemian, you'll love this peasant dress, which has flounce sleeves, a floral print, velvet detailing, and a mesh top.
Shop the Standards & Practices Elsie Peasant Dress for $98 at Coedition.
Ilana Dress in Sailor Knot
A classic dress that will never not look polished and put together, this dress has a reversible boat neckline, a jersey fabric, and a matching belt.
Shop the Leota Ilana Dress in Sailor Knot for $104 at Coedition.com.
Bardot Scuba Dress
For date nights, all eyes will be on you in this off-the-shoulder red and black leopard print skater dress. To give it an even more edgy feel, pair it with a black leather jacket.
Shop the Simply Be Bardot Scuba Dress with Red Leopard Print for $46.99 at Simply Be.
Mini Wrap Dress
A pretty, long-sleeve wrap dress will always be in style. This one by Simply Be has a retro black and white polka dot print, a deep v-neck, and slight blouson sleeves.
Shop the Simply Be Mini Wrap Dress with Polka Dots for $33.99 at Simply Be.
Crinkle Velour Faux Wrap Dress
Despite popular opinion, good dresses and comfort are not mutually exclusive. It’s often the opposite. This dress is especially comfortable and polished, with a crinkle velour fabric, faux wrap silhouette, and subtle slit. It comes in both a rich burgundy and evening blue.
Shop the Woman Within Crinkle Velour Faux Wrap Dress with Three Quarter Sleeves for $79.99 at Woman Within.
Stockholm Sweater Dress by Ellis
Oversize sweater dresses are a staple in our closets. This one has a festive fair isle neckline and an a-line silhouette. Match it with chic black boots for your next holiday party with the family.
Shop the Woman Within Stockholm Sweater Dress by Ellos for $54.90 at Woman Within.
Eliza J Artwork Jacquard Sweater Dress
Looking for a graphic dress that will look amazing in pictures? Try this Eliza J sweater dress, which is truly one of a kind. It has a unique white, black, and red contrasting pattern that will make you stand out among the rest.
Shop the Eliza J Artwork Graphic Jacquard Sweater Dress for $148 at Nordstrom.
Vince Camuto Side Ruched Gown
For a classic black evening dress you'll have in your closet for years to come, look no further than this Vince Camuto frock. (t also comes in burgundy, if that's more your vibe. Either way, we can see this worn for a variety of upscale occasions.
Shop the Vince Camuto Side Ruched Velvet Gown for $228 at Nordstrom.
BP. Cable Knit Sweater Dress
We know, we know: We've already talked about how much we love sweater dresses. This one is also a favorite, with a warm turtleneck and chunky cable knit fabric. Pull this on for work in the cold winter mornings. It'll make getting out of your warm pajamas a tiny bit easier.
Shop the BP. Cable Knit Sweater Dress for $69 at Nordstrom.
Lace Sleeve Ponte Fit & Flare Dress
This classic dress, which looks amazing on every body type, has three-quarter sleeves with a lace trim, jewel neck, and a knee-length hemline. Love!
Shop the Talbots Lace Sleeve Ponte Fit & Flare Dress for $169 at Talbots.
We hope you like these dresses! Just so you know, Livingly may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.
