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How to Style Sleeved Dresses

Sleeves - there are so many options - from long to short, from flared to the slim cut and everything in between. Sleeves can make a statement of their own and balance out your silhouette. Plus, there aren’t many more outfits that are as effortless yet stylish as a sleeved dress. 

Here at Cotton Dayz, we have a range of women’s cotton clothing. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, then Cotton Dayz has all your dress, tops, and pants needs covered. 

Benefits of Sleeved Dresses

Not only can sleeves balance your silhouette, but they can also help to add a bit of fabulous fun to your outfit and protect you from the elements. Sleeves make a statement of their own. When you're looking to buy women's clothing online, you will see a range of sleeve styles for dresses. Here are some of the best things about sleeved dresses:

Timeless

Dresses have not only been a  part of women's wardrobes for centuries, but they have also become a timeless and iconic wardrobe staple for women. It is a clothing item that has never gone out of fashion and shows no sign of going out anytime soon. Dresses can come in such a range of styles and cuts with many different sleeves that you're never short on options. 

Versatile

Sleeved dresses are incredibly versatile. A sleeved dress can be worn for a casual day at the park as well as to a fancy dinner. They are also suitable to be worn through all seasons of the year. Cotton is, if anything, more versatile than a dress - so they are the perfect match. Cotton can be worn all year round and can show up in a range of fabrics, including corduroy and even lace. 

Effortless

There is not a more effortless outfit than a sleeved dress. It is a clothing item that you can throw on and still look put together in a complete outfit. Cotton is just as effortless. Washing a cotton-sleeved dress is just as easy as letting the machine do all the work. 

Good for Skin

Not only is cotton great for sensitive skin because it is a natural fibre, but adding sleeves to your outfit can help protect you from the elements. Whether it is filtering the UV rays from the hot summer sun or keeping you warm in the windy, cold winter months, cotton-sleeved dresses have you covered. 

Good for Nature

Cotton is a natural fibre collected from a plant. Unlike synthetic fibres, cotton fashion doesn't contribute to the microplastic pollution in our oceans. Every time synthetic clothes are washed, they shed microplastics through our waterways. Over 35% of the microplastics polluting our oceans are from the synthetic textile industry. 

Different Types of Sleeved Dresses

When looking to buy women's clothing online, you may have seen that there are so many different types of sleeved dresses that come in a range of styles with different necklines, patterns, colours and, of course, sleeves. Sleeves can add oomph to an outfit and make a statement on their own. They can help balance your silhouette or add a touch of feminity and elegance to your outfit. These are some of the more popular sleeves that dresses can come with: 

Short Sleeved

Short sleeves are sometimes just called regular sleeves because they are one of the most common types of sleeves when looking to buy women's clothing online. They extend to anywhere from the mid-bicep to just above the elbow. They can also come in a range of different cuts. 

3/4 Sleeved

3/4 sleeves are known to be one of the most flattering sleeve lengths. They extend to anywhere between just below the elbow to mid-forearm. Typically, the 3/4 sleeve ends sit alongside the waist, drawing the eye's attention to the area and creating the appearance of an hourglass silhouette. 

Long Sleeved

Long sleeved dresses have sleeves that come down to the wrist. They can come in all different styles that range from straight cut to flared and bell sleeves. Long sleeves are quite elegant and can add a touch of class to your outfit. 

Frill/Ruffle Sleeve

A ruffle is gathered, and a frill is pleated along one edge and attached to the end of the sleeve. This gives the sleeves the appearance of a frill or ruffles at the end of the sleeve. Cotton fashion is ideal for this effect because it can drape beautifully. 

Flutter Sleeve

Flutter sleeve dresses have sleeves that are loose-fitting and tapered to fall in folds over the arm. 

Puff Sleeve

Puff sleeve dresses typically have short sleeves that have an added fullness to them. The puff is usually created by elastic around the bicep or a cuff on the end of the sleeve. 

Cap Sleeve

Cap sleeves are a specific type of short sleeve. They are cut and seamed to fit over the shoulder and then taper to nothing under the arm. It is not as loose as a typical short sleeve and cap just over the shoulder. 

Flair Sleeve

Flair sleeves can be anywhere between 3/4 sleeves and long sleeves. They gradually flair out either from the shoulder or the elbow. They can be extremely flattering and work well to accentuate an hourglass silhouette. Cotton fashion is excellent for flair sleeves because cotton can float and flutter around you beautifully. 

How to Style Sleeved Dresses

Finding the right style of dress when looking to buy women’s clothing online comes down to what suits your body shape to show off your curves. Here are some style ideas for sleeved dresses for every occasion: 

To a formal event

A formal event is the perfect time to show off a dress with statement sleeves. Statement sleeves with a flair, frill, or even flutter can make an outfit incredibly flattering, feminine, and elegant. For a formal event, it is usually best to opt for dresses with a hemline that comes to no higher than mid-calf. Add your favourite jewellery for a touch of sparkle to your outfit, and wear your favourite pair of heels or wedges to elongate your silhouette. 

To dinner

When going out to dinner, it is important to consider what sleeves you wear to ensure that none of your outfit drapes into sauce or over food on the table. It is best to opt for dresses with short or ¾ sleeves, but if you have a long-sleeved dress that you are just dying to wear, just make sure the sleeves are fitted to your arms. 

To lunch

A sleeved dress is the perfect effortless but elegant outfit to wear to lunch. Dresses with a ¾ or short sleeve are ideal for wearing. To give your outfit that extra bit of chic, try dresses with a frill or a flutter sleeve. This can be worn with your favourite sneakers, sandals, wedges, or boots. 

To a casual event

The effortless outfit of a sleeved dress is absolutely perfect for a casual event. Find your perfect-sleeved dress and pair it with sneakers or sandals for an effortlessly chic look. If heading to the beach or park, add a hat to your outfit and put a tote bag over your shoulder.

To a wedding

A wedding is the perfect place to wear your favourite dress with statement sleeves. Dresses with a flair, flutter, ruffle, or frill sleeve add a touch of femininity and elegance to an outfit. If the wedding is outside, be sure to wear wedges so that your heels don’t sink into the soft earth. 

Buy Sleeved Dresses Online at Cotton Dayz 

A sleeved dress is so versatile, not to mention effortless, to style for any occasion that it will have you looking fabulous all year round. There are plenty of options for different hem lengths, necklines, patterns, and colours so you can express your beautiful self through cotton fashion. 

If you're looking for an effortless outfit that you can wear to just about any occasion, check out our long sleeved dresses, short sleeved dresses, and our cotton dresses.