Plus Size Short-Sleeve Dresses

Finding the best plus-size short-sleeve dresses shouldn’t be difficult—and we’re here to make that an everyday reality. Whether you are looking for a single dress for an upcoming party in our Shop or would like dresses sent straight to your doorstep with our subscription style boxes, we can help you round out your wardrobe with the cutest short-sleeve dresses for every body and every season.

Which Short-Sleeve Dresses will Look Great on You?

When it comes to outfitting people of all shapes and sizes, our personal stylists really know what works best. Here are some of our recommendations for when you’re shopping for plus-size dresses with short sleeves: 

• Fit-and-flare dresses are characterized by a close bodice and a full skirt. These short-sleeve dresses look amazing on everyone, but particularly those with hourglass, inverted triangle, and pear-shaped figures.
• Wrap dresses with short sleeves feature either a faux or real wrap-around silhouette and work like magic on every body type. Those with hourglass, pear and apple body shapes will particularly want to fill their closets with these styles year-round. 
• Short-sleeve A-line dresses are slim in the shoulders and gradually cascade down—just like the letter ‘A’. People with pear, rectangle, and inverted triangle shapes will naturally gravitate toward these silhouettes.
• Short-sleeve bodycon dresses are a daring silhouette that is designed to hug your body from hem to hem. Anyone can rock a bodycon dress, though those with rectangle and hourglass body types might love them just a little more. 

Play with dress length, too!

We’ll get to seasonality in a moment, but don’t forget to vary your plus-size dress search by length, too:

• Mini Dresses with short sleeves abound particularly in summer. They’re characterized by their short hems (above the knee) and can be dressed up with heels or down with low-top sneakers. If you want to show off your legs, these are for you!
• Midi Dresses with short sleeves feature a mid-length skirt and are especially worn in more conservative situations (like to work or a wedding). If you are looking for a bit more coverage, midi dresses can do the trick. 
• Maxi Dresses with short sleeves feature a long skirt that goes down to your ankles. These styles can be worn year-round and you can definitely find them in special occasion fabrics just as easily as casual ones (like cotton or linen). If you want to go a bit more for an elegant look—even if you’re keeping it casual—maxi dresses are the way to go.

Short-Sleeve Dresses for Any Occasion

Here at Dia & Co we curate from top brands to find the best short-sleeve dresses for every one of life’s moments. For spring and summer weddings, you’ll want to search for short-sleeve dresses that are midi to maxi in length and offer up unique patterns or fabrics. Don’t forget to tailor your style to the style of occasion, too. A formal setting is great for a short-sleeve cocktail dress, but a farmhouse wedding will require a more casual wedding guest dress. Think: maxi boho dresses, mini peasant dresses and dresses with puffed sleeves. 

The workplace is another situation that requires a collection of no-stress dresses. Short-sleeve dresses for work can be made of professional materials (like scuba, linen, and wool), and always look best if they’re pressed or made of wrinkle-free fabric. Be sure to keep a cardigan or blazer handy to style with your short-sleeve work dress—the A/C in some workplaces is no joke. 

How to Style Short-Sleeve Dresses for Every Season

There are certain short-sleeve dresses you can wear year-round. Skater dresses, for example (short-sleeve fit-and-flare dresses) can be styled alone in spring and summer and then with boots, tights, and jackets or coats in the fall and winter. Short-sleeve wrap dresses can be styled in similar ways and work-year round. The other nice thing about wrap dresses is that you can layer them over or under almost anything, so play with layers in cooler months. The catch with short-sleeve dresses? You’ll usually want to bring a sweater, cardigan, jacket or blazer to style for cold weather. If you want even more coverage, look for short-sleeve dresses that are longer in length. 

Cute and Trendy Styles from Brands We Love

If you’re looking for great dresses to wear to work or ones that can even be worn to casual weddings and events, L I V D has a host of plus-size short-sleeve dresses in an array of silhouettes. They’re great at creating gorgeous styles that are minimalist enough to transcend occasions. Brands like Kiyonna and LuvMeMore are also sure to cater to more special occasion dressing—and they all know fit! If you’re looking for more casual short-sleeve dresses, check out brands like Madewell, Meri Skye, Adorne, and CityChic. They choose fabrics and prints that are flowy, easy and made specially for everyday moments. 
Speaking of moments, if you’re in need of something special, why not try our expert styling services? Stylists here at Dia & Co can send you short-sleeve dresses straight to your door. And for anyone who prefers the thrill of the hunt, you’ll find the best short-sleeve dresses in plus sizes right here in our Shop.