I like a good sleeveless or tank dress so I can layer it for all seasons, but more often than not lately, I want sleeves, mostly because I’d rather not carry layers around everywhere I go. I find that a short sleeve dress suits me fine in air conditioning during summer months, but I freeze if my shoulders are bare.
Anyway, I’ve selected some of my favorite more responsible dresses with sleeves for summer. You may also notice that NOT ONE of them is black. You’re welcome 🙂 What’s your favorite? Do you prefer sleeves or sleeveless?
Eileen Fisher hemp & organic cotton dress | $158
Eileen Fisher raw silk dress | $198 (I tried this dress on, it was very nice, just a little too “boring”)
Eileen Fisher organic linen & cotton shift dress | $258
Black Crane pleated dress (100% cotton, Made in the US) | $235 via Garmentory*
*Use my referral link and receive a $20 account credit when you sign up for an account
Kowtow organic, fair trade cotton dress | $95 at Beklina
Only Child Mara Tunic/Dress (denim, made in the US) | $180
Mara Hoffman organic linen dress | $425
Miranda Bennett linen dress (hand made in the US, dyed with natural, plant based materials) | $290
Amour Vert sustainable modal dress | $118
Elizabeth Suzann linen gauze dress (made in the US) | $290
UZI nyc cotton tunic (made in NYC) | $168
Jungmaven hemp/organic cotton tee dress | $68
*when you use my referral link at Garmentory and sign up for an account you’ll receive a $20 credit and so will I
Love your pics, particularly as most of them cover knees as well! I definitely prefer sleeves, although I’m finally starting to come to terms with my aging arms, because 1. it’s more sun safe, 2. I find covered is actually cooler if you have loose, airy sleeves and body (hello Black Crane, Mara Hoffman and ES) and 3. I agree with you on air conditioning, and I don’t always want to be carrying around a big purse with a little sweater in it. BTW, I keep going back to that picture of you in the red dress, and you look soooo lovely. I love the tenty-ness of it too. So cool.
thank you kathryn – i do love that dress, but as we’ve mentioned here, it’s not very practical for much other than “vacation” or being outside a lot because it’s sleeveless. And so tough to layer, because of said tenty-ness LOL –
BUT, I will wear it this summer, when we’re enjoying outside time, festivals, art fairs, etc. and visiting family. i can’t wait 🙂
Speaking of cool summer dresses with sleeves, I would also commend to everyone’s attention http://margotmolyneux.com/shop/, via Miss Moss and http://www.cosstores.com/us/women/dresses, via Thatisnotmyage. Neutral and soft colours in natural fabrics, with and without sleeves.
I like the idea of a tshirt dress but rarely reach for them in my own closet – I definitely prefer a sleeveless. I just don’t like a sleeve hitting my arm mid-bicep (elbow length is ok, but in the south – I want more ventilation than that most of the year). I’m the same with t-shirts too – long sleeve or sleeveless, rarely in between…..And yes, fully one half my closet is cardigans 🙂
I’ll put in a vote for another one–just got this and really like it. Made in California and has pockets! I wear a size 12 and the L fits me well. Wearing it on the plane today as I head to Las Vegas for work (after getting back from vacation last night ?)
http://www.curatorsf.com/uma-dress/
nice dress ! i love curator, although i sadly forget about it – too many designers to remember…
how was vacation? welcome back 🙂
(loved following your adventures on instagram)
don’t your legs get cold on the plane?? i basically have to wear winter clothes on the plane or i freeze uncontrollably…my legs even get cold wearing jeans/pants!!
I’ve solved that problem today by layering an ES Georgia T over a JP tank dress. (And am slightly embarrassed to use that many acronyms in one sentence…)
I’d put my money down on the Black Crane, the Miranda Bennett (LOVE!), and the Elizabeth Suzann (IF I had any money! 😉 ) And the Uzi tunic would be adorable over leggings.
Sleeves are preferable at this stage of life/fatitude, but I go sleeveless if I’ve got a shrug or ruana to top it with.
I am with you on covered knees, Kathryn!
lol – we get it, but just in case, here’s the “key”
ES = elizabeth suzann
JP = James Perse
and for future reference
EF usually = eileen fisher, but can sometimes mean Emerson Fry
Maybe it is perimenopause but I have found myself too warm on planes lately rather than cold. Maybe they are cutting back on air conditioning?
BTW I was in London during the terrorist attack and it was a little too close for comfort. We were on the Tube and meant to change trains when they announced the Bank and London Bridge stations were closed due to an incident. And we’d eaten dinner and had cocktails at Borough Market on Thursday night. Such a busy area of pubs and restaurants and with the warm weather so many people were out. But the local reaction was so heartwarming–people on Twitter offering their homes to anyone stranded as well as the Sikh temples in the area.
Models of different sizes, different colors AND different ages?!? Call me impressed!
You once showed a cap sleeve dress (gold-ish?) that I fell in love with and then never heard of it again. Any chance you could dig that up? Thanks!
That Miranda Bennet dress is so very lovely! I am extremely tempted to purchase it, however I’m not sure about the ‘one size’ sizing and the color looks orangey ( my favorite ??) but it’s described as brown.
And will I reach for it as much as I reach for my knot dress (via slowre ?) or my ES linen Georgia Midi.
Hmmmm…
Have you tried Pyne and Smith yet? I got one dress (sleeveless) and promptly ordered a second one with short sleeves. The first day I wore it, I was mobbed by other 40-something woman wondering where I got it :).
The quest for a cute and comfy summer dress is tough!
i just got a pyne & smith dress in for slowre that’s going up on friday 🙂
it’s really good, just not a style i like for myself…..
Hi Gretchen,
I just ordered the new pima dress with sleeves from Cuyana. It’s a new piece and I was so excited that it has sleeves and appears that it might be long enough on me (I’m 5’11” – length is often an issue with summer dresses). I ordered the black one, of course. Your post today was so timely, as I have simple summer dresses on the brain. XO Stephenie
If I had a waist that I wanted to define, this dress would be one I would love to wear. My beloved ES Georgia Midi definitely is a winner for sleeves and warm weather comfort.
do you mean grana? i didn’t see one at cuyana like that! please let us know what you think of it when you get it…i’ve never ordered/tried anything from them. i know elaine from temporary housewifey has a lot of grana and loves it though…
whoa…anymore details on when that was?? i might be able to find it if i had a few more hints LOL
oh, that must have been difficult. and shocking. i’ve never been in a situation like that – i have no idea how i’d react. i am sad just thinking about what happened
i’m so glad you’re okay though 🙂
You don’t say… Any hints as to which style/ size?
Hoo boy, let me rack my brain. It was a simple dress, maybe a sheath or A-line, with cap sleeves. Tan or gold. I don’t recall any pockets. Within the past year or 2 but not older than that. You posted a pic of yourself wearing it. I clicked on the link and it went to the website where it was for sale (so it wasn’t a slowre thing) and I remember thinking this is too spend-y for me right now – but not like CRAZY expensive – so it was probably over $150 but less than $300. It was also not a brand that I had ever heard of before, not any of your usuals. Hope that helps! Thank you.
oh, just seeing the new pima stuff at cuyana now, here’s the tee dress in case anyone else is interested – i love it, the draped back is very cool
i’d love to hear your thoughts on it when you get it!
striped, medium, sleeveless 😉
Wow that Black Crane pleated dress is SO beautiful!
Oooh! I came here to talk about Pyne & Smith… I’ll be stalking slowre for that one!
isn’t it?? i love the color too…almost bought it with credits at garmentory, but didn’t 🙁
could it have been emerson fry? a dress i wore here: http://grechenscloset.com/emerson-fry-fw15-first-look-reviews/ ??
otherwise i can’t think of what it would be…i’ve gone back through outfits for nearly two years LOL
Thanks for looking, but no, this was not it.
The dress you wore had cap sleeves and was gold-ish, all one color.
Ah well, I should have flagged it. Thanks again.
???
??? = heart emoji (thx phone)
hahahaha!! i wondered what that was, and how to reply LOL
haha! That prompted my own ??? response, so I’m glad you clarified 🙂
Hi Gretchen,
FedEx says I’ll have it tomorrow. I’ll let you know my thoughts once I see it/feel it in person!