Chic Below-Knee Spring And Summer Dresses With Sleeves
When the weather heats up, a summer dress is the perfect one-and-done solution. Not every woman loves to wear dresses, but if you do, it can be challenging to find a flattering one. As we get older, many of us aren’t thrilled to either wear hosiery or use self-tanner on our legs, so a below-knee length solves that issue. Let’s look at some below-knee summer dresses with sleeves that will get you through the spring and summer in style. Let me know if you like sleeveless dresses, and I will round up some favorites.
Below-Knee Dresses With Sleeves
This elegant Tuckernut Etienne Dress rings a lot of bells for me. The ivory background looks classy and fresh with the black buttons and piped edges. The slim silhouette has a mandarin color and a front slit for ease of walking. It’s a linen/polyester/spandex blend that’s machine washable and tumble dry, which is a win/win in my book. The necktie is also removable. This dress gives me Grace Kelly vibes…which is so classic and timeless.
The Talbots poplin shirtdress has a dropped waist silhouette, which adds an elegant touch to the shirtdress. The cool, crisp cotton poplin gives it a polished look and feel. This also comes in a pretty blue and is available in misses, petite, plus, and plus petite, sizes 2-18. The length is 50 1/2″ misses, 46 3/4″ petite, 50 1/4″ plus, and 47 3/4″ in plus petite.
This J. Crew Stretch Twill dress is tailored to perfection, thanks to the flattering seams at the waist. It’s crafted in a wonderful stretch twill fabric that’s extra-flexible and wrinkle-resistant. This sleek style is perfect for work, or you could also dress it up. It’s also available in black in sizes 00-16. It fits true to size and is 51″ long.
This SĆ©zane Pipa dress is 98% organic cotton and comes in black, coral, washed blue, or a fun leopard print. The tie waist adds ruching at the waist, which is very flattering and hides a multitude of sins. It’s basically an elevated tee-shirt dress that looks so much more interesting. This is available in sizes XXS-XXXL. It’s 50 1/4″ long for the size small.
The Chico’s Tencil Shirred Jean Shirt dress has a forgiving a-line shape with a front placket and a functional pocket. The removable belt and roll-tab long sleeves give you options for styling. This comes in regular and petite sizes XS-XXL and is machine washable. The regular length is 48″, and the petite length is 45 1/2″.
This J. Crew Poplin Midi dress is a bestseller for good reason. The fabric is a fresh navy and white cotton blend with spandex. It has a slight a-line shape with a shirred waist and drawstring for shaping. I love the on-seam pockets and that it’s machine washable. It comes in sizes XS-3X and is perfect for casual days or dressed up for a casual dinner out.
This Spanx Air Essentials dress is made of their favorite light-as-air fabric, which is as comfy as your favorite tee. It’s made from a sustainable Tencel blend and also comes in black or red, in sizes XS-2X. The fabric offers UPF 50+ sun protection which is so important in the summer. This machine-washable dress simply slips over your head and couldn’t be easier to wear.
This J. Crew Elena shirtdress comes with a smocked, elastic waist that can be tightened with a tie detail, plus buttons halfway up the front. It also comes in black and in classic, petite, and tall sizes 00-24. This easy-care dress is machine washable and perfect for so many occasions. The length is 51″ classic, 51″ petite, and 52 3/4″ in tall.
It doesn’t get more classic or polished than this Polo Ralph Lauren shirtdress. It’s 100% cotton poplin with a self-tie belt and spread collar and is machine washable. It’s approximately 44.5″ from the shoulder and comes in sizes 0-12.
This SĆ©zane Organic Cotton Emy dress is another easy style to dress up or wear casually with the rounded neckline and button placket fastening on the shoulder. I’d love this with a raffia belt and woven sandals. It’s made of 100% organic cotton and comes in sizes XS-XXL. It also comes in cream or black. It’s 48 1/2″ long for a size small.
This Frank & Eileen Maxi Denim Shirtdress is an easy-peasy way to get dressed with a relaxed vibe. I love it belted, unbelted, and worn open as a duster over a tee and jeans. This dress comes in several denim washes, classic linen, washed linen, and corduroy in sizes XXS-XL.
Will you be wearing dresses this summer?
MORE STYLISH BELOW-KNEE DRESSES WITH SLEEVES
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
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Thanks for showing these pretty dresses!
How does the poplin hold up ā does it fade at the seams after washing? The poplin dresses are appealing but I am curious how they look as the season goes on. I am still working and need to look polished. Thanks!
I love poplin and it usually stays nice and crisp. I like to iron mine after washing.
Thanks for the suggestions, Jennifer. I have a petite small so I feel like a lot of these would be too much fabric for me. I would love to see more dresses that are a bit shorter, just below the knee. I would also like to see sleeveless dresses that I can throw a wrap or cardigan on. Thanks!
Itās hot in our summers, I wear a lot of sleeved dresses, my favorites are cotton poplin. I have Ralph Lauren, Talbots, Zara, H&M, Loft, Tommy Hilfinger, and I buy them when Iām traveling in Europe.
Great roundup Jennifer! I am going to check some of these out!!
Any of these look good on plus sized 5ā7ā women?
Jennifer, I appreciate all your efforts to show us the possibilities for dresses this spring/summer. It’s not easy for 75+ year old ladies to find cute, stylish dresses that cover the right places. There are a couple that I think could work for me!
Awesome!
Jennifer,
You have read my mind. A big NO to sleeveless or above the knee for me. I do love the ease of dresses in the warmer months but as you’ve said, sleeves especially are so hard to find. You made my day with this post and I’d love to see even more as you find them!
Linda
I will find more, because it appears we are not alone needing this type of dress!
Thanks, this is a great post! I am hoping to get a couple of dresses this year. I’d like a fitted shirtdress w/o too much material as I have a small frame. I’m also thinking about getting a knee-length looser casual dress. J. Jill has several.
I love wearing casual, classic, comfortable dresses in the spring/summer, and all of the dresses you featured are lovely (my favorites are the casually elegant, classic Tuckernut, the Spanx, the Ralph Lauren shirt dress, and the denim shirt dress you’re wearing). I have thin arms, so although I occasionally wear a sleeveless dress, I always wear a light weight cardigan or denim jacket to cover my arms (that I don’t remove and is good to wear in places with too much cold air conditioning).
AC can be brutally cold so it’s always a good idea to have a layer
Thanks for this post, Jennifer. I love to wear dresses and skirts in the summer. I still wear sheer pantyhose because offices and trains/busses are always freezing. I’m not a big fan of sleeveless dresses, but I always have a cardi or lightweight jacket handy.
That AC can be so frigid, I totally agree.
Iāve found a few maxi dresses at JJillās over the last few years. I know not everyone can shop in Europe, but Iāve found lots of very affordable dresses in street markets.
J Jill has great maxi dresses!
I’m not a dress person, but these are making me rethink my style. Maybe one dress for spring/summer…I’m also looking at this one from Loft Stripe Twisted Midi Wrap Dress
Price reduced from. $99.95..it’s a pin stripe. Still mulling it over. I tend to not wear dresses because my legs are awful…..
I’m not a huge dress wearer but love how simple they are so am trying to wear more.
I am on the hunt for casual dresses with sleeves. Great post! Do you have a link to the black belt on the F&E dress? Thanks
Hi Susan, mybelt is here!
Thanks- I am baffled by the sizing. Could you tell me what size you have? We are similar sizes.
I am wearing a small in the Frank and Eileen shirtdress.
You have selected pretty options. I like all of them. The only time that I tend to wear dresses is in the summer or early fall as an option for warmer weather.
Yes,I will be wearing dresses this summer. I have a lot in my closet from the past couple years,short sleeves and below the knee. They are mostly from J.Jill and Chicos. Loved the your post today!
Yes, I will be wearing dresses this summer. I still wear a J Jill cotton gauze dress I purchased a couple years ago as it is so comfortable. I like the Spanx dress and can see wearing it often. I am short so I look for petite or shorter options to get the desired length..
I know that Spanx fabric well, and itās very comfy.
I have been looking for just this! Thank you Jenniferš
My pleasure. I like so many of these
Great summary looks!
Such a helpful post! I do enjoy wearing dresses in the summer because they are so easy – just slip them on and go. I see lots of summer midi and maxi dresses but it’s very difficult to find them with sleeves. At this point in my life, I refuse to buy sleeveless dresses so I’m thrilled to have some possibilities to check out. Thanks!
Iāll hunt up some more ones too!
Finally, you helped me find the right length and with sleeves! Love the RL dress the most as I am a pure classic type. Iām a young 83. I often have bruises on my legs and my skin is sagging on my upper arms. My husband passed away 4 years ago. Since then Iāve lost 30 pounds. I swim every 60 laps every other day. Now I can wear dresses and I love the feminine feel of a dress.
Thank you.
Iām so sorry to hear about your husband Dani. I bruise very easily these days too, so longer dresses are very helpful.
Yes, I will be wearing dresses this summer. Really liked most of the dresses on this post Thanks
I like maxi dresses. Iām tall 5ā8ā and midis hit at the wrong spot on me. I do wear sleeveless at home but when going out I like a short sleeve. My upper arms are not toned. Lifting weights is not possible because of tendinitis in my shoulders.
There are a lot of great options here but Iām only buying Canadian made at this point in time. Iām sure you understand. J
I love dresses with sleeves and midi. My arms are not what they once were. Itās hard to find spring/summer midi dresses. Thank You so much for this post!