Long sleeve dress styles in velvet and knit

Pick any long sleeve dress on this page and the cardigan stays in the closet, since every one covers your arms down to the wrist. The rest is your call, from a rib knit mini for Tuesday at the office to floor-length velvet for a December wedding.

Turtlenecks, keyholes and bare shoulders above a full sleeve

The neckline changes the whole mood. A turtleneck in angora-blend knit, like our red midi, keeps your neck warm under a puffer and basically replaces a sweater. Pick a watch or a wide bracelet instead of a necklace. The collar’s already doing the work.

Keyhole styles are quieter than they sound. On the black rib minis the little drop-shaped cutout sits high on the chest, so they’re fine for work and still right for dinner after.

Holiday parties are lurex season. Our lurex wraps in black, emerald and powder pink sparkle all evening, and the wrap makes its own V, so a thin chain is all the jewelry you need. Ankle boots for the office party. Strappy heels for New Year’s Eve.

Then there’s the opposite idea. The black velvet maxi leaves both shoulders bare while long sleeves keep your arms covered, and that’s a good trade at a winter wedding where you’d like some skin showing but don’t want to freeze outside between the church and the reception hall.

Sleeves that flare, puff or stop at one shoulder

Not every sleeve here is slim. On the red and blue rib wrap minis it widens from the elbow to the wrist. Some summer prints have a full sleeve gathered into a cuff, which looks sweet with sandals. And on the one-sleeve velvet cuts, one arm is covered and the other shoulder stays bare.

Check any long sleeve dress the same way at your fitting. Reach both arms forward like you’re holding a steering wheel. The cuff should stay at your wrist bone, and the back shouldn’t pull. Velvet gives less than rib knit, so take an extra minute with it.

Shorter or longer? Start with minis that cover your arms, move to below-the-knee styles with sleeves, or go all the way to sleeved gowns to the ankle.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have long sleeves for warm weather?

We do, from March. Look for satin wrap dresses and light floral or polka-dot prints. They’re hidden in the cold months and come back in spring.

Which long sleeve dress is warmest?

Angora-blend knit or velvet. For more ideas built around the cold, see the winter page.

Will it fit under a blazer?

A slim rib or jersey sleeve slides right in. Flared and puffed sleeves are happier under a roomy coat, or with nothing on top at all.

What if my arms are long for my size?

Do the steering-wheel test. If the cuff slides up in knit, try one size up. Every style comes in XS to XL, and the rest of our range is in the dresses section.