Can you wear long sleeve dresses in the summer?

When considering a long-sleeve dress for a summer wedding, Lee says it’s important to consider the comfort of your bridal party. “It probably wouldn't be my top choice, but if it’s going to be cold at the wedding venue or if they were super light, flowing balloon sleeves, I could see it working,” she says.

Are long sleeve dresses comfortable?

“I would consider how mobile your arms are in the dress—there’s a lot of work involved for bridesmaids and you want them to be comfortable,” says Lee. “At the end of the day, when it comes to long-sleeve dresses, it’s all about the fit, the temperature, and the season,” she adds.

Do long sleeve bridal party dresses work for all body types?

Lee says long-sleeve bridesmaid dresses absolutely work for all body types, especially since they come in so many different silhouettes. “Long sleeve dresses are often bra-friendly, so that’s a bonus,” she adds.

The 18 Best Long Sleeve Bridesmaid Dresses

Whether you’re shopping for a winter wedding or looking for a more covered-up design, long sleeve bridesmaid dresses are a stylish way to add detail to your bridal party looks. While this type of dress can keep your bridal party warm when temperatures drop, they aren't just for colder climates and seasons. If the material is lightweight and breathable, long sleeve dresses are a great option for most any time of year (except perhaps the height of summer).

To make sure that a long sleeve dress doesn't overwhelm the wearer with fabric, the right combination of design elements is key. “The first thing I look for is balance,” says Grace Lee, CEO and founder of bridesmaid dress company Birdy Grey. “I would make sure that the silhouette of the dress balances out the long sleeves with a scooped neckline or a slit on the skirt,” she adds.

From tailored, high-neck silhouettes to puff-shaped sleeves, we set out to find the best long sleeve bridesmaid dresses, considering everything from dress style to sleeve detail to the overall material and quality of construction.

Read on for the best long sleeve bridesmaid dresses.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Tulle & Chantilly Bridesmaid Dress at Tulleandchantilly.com

Jump to Review

Best Size-Inclusive:

JJ’s House Off-the-Shoulder Floor-Length Bridesmaid Dress at Jjshouse.com

Jump to Review

Best with Lace:

Lulus Lace Maxi Dress at Lulus

Jump to Review

Best Fashion-Forward:

Bec & Bridge Long Sleeve Maxi Dress at Becandbridge.com

Jump to Review

Best for a City Wedding:

Boohoo Off The Shoulder Wrap Midi Bodycon Dress at Boohoo.com

Jump to Review

Best Formal:

YMDUCH Women's Long Sleeve Off Shoulder Bodycon Dress at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best One-Shoulder:

Hebeos One-Shoulder 3/4 Sleeve Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress at Hebeos.com

Jump to Review

Best High-Low:

Baltic Born High Low Dress at Balticborn.com

Jump to Review

Best Mini:

AW Bridal Paeony Dress at Awbridal.com

Jump to Review

Best Modest :

Veiled Collection A Line Maxi Dress at Veiledcollection.com

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Tulle & Chantilly

View On Tulleandchantilly.com

For best overall, we searched for a dress with a timeless silhouette, high-quality construction, and fantastic size ranges—and we found it in this chiffon design. With its sweetheart neckline, wrapped bodice, and bell sleeves (with the cutest bow-tie detail at the wrist), this is a long sleeve dress that will definitely make a statement. It’s simple and chic, with subtle details that pack a style punch. Plus, it comes in a range of sizes, including the option to order a custom size for no extra cost.

Price at time of publish: $139

Material: Chiffon | Size Range: 2-20, custom sizing available

JJâs House

View On Jjshouse.com

With plus and custom sizing offered, this long sleeve off-the-shoulder bridesmaid dress from JJ’s House is our top pick for most size-inclusive. And, in addition to fitting a range of sizes, the dress has a universal silhouette that looks fantastic on a variety of body shapes, too. Sizing aside, it’s a well-made dress that's also budget-friendly, coming in at under $100. It also comes in dozens of colors, so you can find the perfect shade to match your palette.

Price at time of publish: $84

Material: Chiffon | Size Range: 0-16, 26-26 (plus), custom sizing available

Lulus

View On Lulus

Our top pick for best lace sleeves is this chic option from Lulus, which features scalloped V-neckline and stunning cut-out open back . Made from durable—yet breathable—polyester, the dress is available in burgundy, navy, black, and white.

Price at time of publish: $71

Material: Polyester | Size Range: XXS-XL

Bec & Bridge

View On Becandbridge.com

For something a little more fashion-forward, we're obsessed with this long-sleeve slip dress from Bed & Bridge. Crafted from a silky viscose material, the midi-length bridesmaid dress features a cowl neckline, an ultra-thin string belt detail at the waist, and a high slit to balance everything out. It comes in several popular bridesmaid dress colors, including an inky navy hue, a rich black, sage green, and champagne.

Price at time of publish: $330

Material: Viscose | Size Range: 6-18

Boohoo

View On Boohoo.com

A city wedding calls for a bridesmaid dress with a little more style and flair. Our top pick for this category is the Off The Shoulder Wrap Midi Bodycon Dress. Designed with a form-fitting knee-length skirt, stylish slouchy sleeves, and an eye-catching knotted belt, the bridesmaid dress is the perfect choice for an urban event.

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Jersey | Size Range: 2-14

YMDUCH Women's Long Sleeve Off Shoulder Bodycon Dress

Amazon

View On Amazon

For a formal dress that won't break the bank, we adore this sexy and sleek gown from Amazon. Made from a stretchy polyester material with a draped asymmetrical shoulder and quarter-length sleeves, the form-fitting dress is a great choice for a black tie wedding. In addition to how it looks, we also love the way this dress feels. With 10 percent stretch, it moves with the body, ensuring long-lasting comfort (and mobility on the dance floor).

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size Range: S-XL

Hebeos

View On Hebeos.com

When it comes to long sleeve dresses, the style options are endless and can even include popular bridesmaid styles like the one-shoulder neckline. With its goddess-like draping, sheer overlay bodice, and belted waist, this dress boasts a timelessly regal feel. On top of that, it comes in 60 different colors, so you can easily find a shade that matches your wedding aesthetic and season.

Price at time of publish: $97

Material: Chiffon | Size Range: 2-16, 14-26 (plus)

Baltic Born

View On Balticborn.com

High-low hemlines are a great way to ensure balance and breathability in a dress. This one in particular stands out because, in addition to its high-low skirt, it also features a deep V-neckline which helps offset the trendy cuffed, puff sleeves. Made from satin polyester and available in a few gorgeous fall-toned colors, the dress feels both whimsical and romantic.

Price at time of publish: $68

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size Range: S-3XL

AW Bridal

View On Awbridal.com

Mini dresses can run the risk of not being formal enough for a bridesmaid dress, but this option is anything but casual. With its sleek cut, billowing sleeves, and high scoop neck the knee-length dress emits a tailored, retro-inspired sophistication. The cut-out detail on the sleeves and little pearl accents gives a modern, unexpected touch.

Price at time of publish: $100

Material: Chiffon | Size Range: 0-30

Veiled Collection

View On Veiledcollection.com

Long sleeves are an excellent feature in modest-style dresses, especially when they're done right. This elegant dress features tapered sleeves and a nice balance of flowing skirt, fitted bodice, and waist-cinching belt.

Price at time of publish: $159

Material: Polyester | Size Range: XXS-2XL

Anthropologie

View On Anthropologie

If you want to add some wintery texture to your bridal party looks, velvet is the way to go. The Ryland Velvet Maxi Dress from Jenny Yoo is beautifully made with a super soft velvet material that shimmers with each movement. Available in gorgeous jewel-toned hues and an inclusive size range, this deep V-neck dress is an excellent choice for winter weddings.

Price at time of publish: $295

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size Range: 0-26

JJâs House

View On Jjshouse.com

The thing we love most about long sleeve bridesmaid dresses is the amount of detail you can add in the sleeves. Cape sleeves in particular work well for elongating a dress style, as well as adding stunning drapery to an already flowy look. We adore this chiffon option from JJ’s House for its timeless silhouette, peep shoulders, and textured bodice. Plus, the dress comes in plenty of color options so you can pick your perfect match.

Price at time of publish: $121

Material: Chiffon | Size Range: 0-16, 16-26 (plus), custom sizing available

ASTR The Label

View On Astrthelabel.com

With its convertible design, the dress can be worn with the sleeves at the shoulder (to create a square neckline) or draped on the sides of the shoulder for a classic off-the-shoulder look. The dress is available in a few popular muted bridesmaid dress colors, including dusty blue, pink, and lavender. And, with its more fashion-forward style, it’s a dress bridesmaids will absolutely want to wear again.

Price at time of publish: $74

Material: N/A | Size Range: XS-XL

PINUPART Women's Empire Waist Long Sleeve Satin Dress Women's Empire Waist Long Sleeve Satin Dress

Amazon

View On Amazon

If you want your bridesmaid dresses to have a vintage feel (without going full-blown 80s on your bridal party), this empire waist dress from Amazon is an excellent wallet-friendly option. With its high neck, subtle puff sleeves, and draped detailing at the waist, the dress feels reminiscent of the past, but still has contemporary look. Plus, it comes in a bunch of stunning satin hues, including popular bridesmaid dress colors like sage green and navy.

Price at time of publish: $52

Material: Polyester | Size Range: S-XL

ASOS

View On Asos

With its empire waist silhouette, this maternity bridesmaid dress was made for a baby bump. It features flowing chiffon fabric, a ruched front for texture, and a zippered back with a little keyhole cutout for added detail. In addition to blush, the dress also comes in burgundy and sage green.

Price at time of publish: $112

Material: Polyester | Size Range: 2-16

Beauty-Emily Women's Shiny Sequin Mermaid Evening Dress

Amazon

View On Amazon

For a sparkling long sleeve bridesmaid dress, we love this sequin number from Amazon. The mermaid silhouette creates a flattering, elongating fit and the cut-out sleeve details help add some contrast to the sparkles. Available in gorgeous winter shades like burgundy, emerald, and navy, the dress would be an excellent choice for a black-tie winter wedding.

Price at time of publish: $83

Material: Sequins | Size Range: S-2XL

JJâs House

View On Jjshouse.com

When going for a floor-length long sleeve look, you'll want to make sure the material is offset by either the neckline or other dress details. Sheer sleeves are a great way to achieve this, as they still offer plenty of coverage without feeling like you’re drowning in heavy material. This dress from JJ’s House is made from high-quality chiffon material with a V-neckline and slightly sheer sleeves. We love it because, despite its flowy appearance, the design also feels structured and tailored.

Price at time of publish: $93

Material: Chiffon | Size Range: 0-16, 16-26 (plus), custom sizing available

POMUYOO Women's V-Neck Long Sleeve Bridesmaid Dress

Amazon

View On Amazon

Wrap dresses are one of those styles that look great on virtually anyone, making them an amazing bridesmaid dress pick. In addition to a wrap-style bodice, this dress features the sweetest bell sleeves, cinched at the wrists with elastic. Additionally, this long sleeve bridesmaid dress is available in 30 colors and a variety of sizes (including plus size options).

Price at time of publish: $70

Material: Chiffon | Size Range: 0-16, 16-22 (plus)

Meet the Expert

Grace Lee is the CEO and founder of Birdy Grey, a bridesmaid dress brand that focuses on style and affordability.

What to Look for in Long Sleeve Bridal Party Dresses

Balance

Make sure that the overall look and silhouette of the dress feels balanced. One way to help achieve that is to seek out dresses with scooped or square necklines, cinched waists, or a slit in the skirt that allows for movement. Another solution is to go with semi-sheer lighter fabrics like chiffon so the fabric doesn't overwhelm the dress visually.

Fabric Weight

Lee also recommends looking at fabric weight to determine if a dress is weather-appropriate and comfortable, as you want your bridesmaids to be able to easily move around and get down on the dance floor later in the evening.

FAQ

Can you wear long sleeve dresses in the summer?

When considering a long-sleeve dress for a summer wedding, Lee says it’s important to consider the comfort of your bridal party. “It probably wouldn't be my top choice, but if it’s going to be cold at the wedding venue or if they were super light, flowing balloon sleeves, I could see it working,” she says.
Are long sleeve dresses comfortable?

“I would consider how mobile your arms are in the dress—there’s a lot of work involved for bridesmaids and you want them to be comfortable,” says Lee. “At the end of the day, when it comes to long-sleeve dresses, it’s all about the fit, the temperature, and the season,” she adds.
Do long sleeve bridal party dresses work for all body types?

Lee says long-sleeve bridesmaid dresses absolutely work for all body types, especially since they come in so many different silhouettes. “Long sleeve dresses are often bra-friendly, so that’s a bonus,” she adds.

Why Trust Brides

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism. From working in the fashion closet and interviewing designers at NYLON Magazine to now writing about the best style trends for various publications, Jessie researches and sources the best fashion finds. When researching the best long sleeve bridesmaid dresses, Jessie looked at dozens of options, carefully considering the construction, fabric, fit, and overall balance of material.