I know it's been said before-but why oh why are dresses with bloody sleeves so bloody elusive?

[MissBattleaxe]

I know there are dresses with sleeves out there but they are in the minority- you have to scour T'internet and even them it's often slim pickings.

I know there are some sites that sell some dresses with sleeves, but what I don't understand is why, in winter is it all sleeveless party dresses that require a cardigan? and why in summer is it all sleeveless summer dresses that require a cardigan? and don't get me started on cap sleeves which are designed to maximize arm flab.

Maybe I'm stuck in the 90s but I don't get it. A woman either has to show her biffa bacon arms off or spend extra on a cardigan or bolero which in turn adds bulk, OR you have to look in the over 50s catalogue and buy something with an ugly big print all over it that makes you look like you're going to work on your day off.

Even the plus size shops have sleeveless and strappy dresses in sizes that go up to 30. I have never met a woman with large arms who loves to show them off.

I'm just sick of searching and sick of companies making so very few, like its a speciality request or something.

I think that someone who hates women sent a memo to all dress manufacturers saying that nobody wants sleeves anymore so please don't make them.

[Eliza22]

And why is everything mid thigh? Some of us just don't have the legs for it. Have you looked at Braintree? Oasis have maxi dresses at £28 with sleeves.

[Littlepinkpear]

Agreed, sick of sleeveless and I sit in an air conned office.

Dresses with sleeves please!

Tired of the cardi choosing very day.

[MissBattleaxe]

The thing is, I'm quite short so maxi and mid thigh don't suit me, but I thought asking for a midi length dress with sleeves would just be taking the biscuit. Actually, a maxi may be suitable for some nifty shortening so that's not a bad idea.

[meglet]

Agree. Cap sleeves only look good on size 0's with no muscle tone. I've got biceps so they look weird on me.

Give me a neat elbow length sleeve instead, takes the chill off in the office.

I hunt down 3/4 length sleeves like a woman obsessed.

[JiminyCricket]

Totally agree...I have resorted to buying these arm /sleeve things called 'WingZ' off ebay...the black lace ones look good with lots of dresses but the material is not going to last long which is annoying at the price.

[daftyburd]

I got a couple of dresses with sleeves on asos. I like sleeveless but going through laser tattoo removal on left bicep. I don't want to disgust with my blistered, scabby skin.

[oldbrownboot]

agree! particularly on cap sleeves. my dresses with sleeves are from white stuff and people tree.

[CuttedUpPear]

I agree. I'm even considering buying two dresses the same and cutting the second one up to make sleeves for the first.

It's bloody STUPID.

[BrowersBlues]

I hear you Battleaxe, why??? Most of the women I know do not like their upper arms and yet no sleeves. Cap sleeves are the work of the devil. When I am searching online for dresses and click on the 'sleeves' option I am reduced to about 6 ugly dresses. I am glad its not just me. I genuinely don't get it!

[amarmai]

when i have to shorten a dress i cut sleeves out of that bit .

[LilithTheKitty]

Sleeves and pockets! I have one dress with pockets and I love it. They're hidden in the seams of the skirt and don't affect the way it hangs so why can't more dresses have them?

[Greengardenpixie]

Try white stuff. Lots of dresses with sleeves on there :)

www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/#esp_pg=2

I am not that fond of sleeveless although this year i have been exercising my upper arms and have bought a few dresses so i can maximise on my tan when on holiday! I do know what you mean though.

[Greengardenpixie]

I have the greek jersey dress and i really love it. It isnt that long though so not great if you dont like your legs. I wear tights with my dress.

[Redfox]

Oh I so agree with you op and could have written your post.

Slightly off topic and I know the price of cotton has gone up but everything is made of polyester or a cheap viscose and they are charging £100 for it

I walked past a particular high street store yesterday and peeped in and was immediately put off my all the nasty fabrics lurking in there. Not so long ago, in places like monsoon where could rely on things being in nice material are horrible horrible polyester.

I want cotton things or a cotton mix with sleeves please!

[KingTut]

The wingz are they sleeves you sew in yourself?

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I have been searching the Internet for a dress for ds1's graduation - I wanted a long-ish dress (maybe maxi), with sleeves (because I am very big - and you are absolutely right, MrsBattleaxe - my arms are not fit for public viewing, and above knee dresses make me look like a cube on stumpy legs) - and could I find one? Could I buggery.

I found a nice-ish, knot fronted, polka dot blue and navy dress - but it was not available over a 24 - of bloody course. Almost everything else had hideous patterns, was too short or had no sleeves. Oh - and it would be nice if it was made of a breathable fabric - his graduation is in July, and I would rather like not to be a hot, red faced sweaty mess before it even starts. But the plus-size designers think I want to envelop myself in nylon.

I have ended up with a very plain polka dot Jersey dress, and I know I am going to feel like I am wearing a sack, compared to all the smart mums there.

[burnishedsilver]

Oh I love a cap sleeve.

[HappenstanceMarmite]

I agree. Yet I'm always seeing the likes of Vorderman, Lorraine Kelly and the Loose Women (so all women of a certain age ) wearing lovely dresses with sleeves! Where do they get them?

[smellylittleorange]

I get a lot of mine off tkmaxx who have all sorts of brands also tend to do a lot of searches on shopstyle.

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

I completely agree! Never mind dresses with pockets too...

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

I've added this Jaeger dress to my mental list of new work dresses precisely because it has decent sleeves and pockets

[Reemy]

Sick of sleeveless

[BL00CowWonders]

Has anyone looked into this brand on QVC?
It's called 'with sleeves' by Lesley Ebbetts. QVC's 30 day Money back guarantee means it's probably worth a look.
(QVC is my guilty TV secret but I personally like sleeveless dresses!)

www.qvcuk.com/withsleeves-by-lesley-ebbetts/fashion//N-1z13zopZlfma/c.html?identifier=2&cm_re=LN--Brand--WithSleeves+by+Lesley+Ebbetts&pageSize=24&cm_sp=Attributes--Brand-_-WithSleeves+by+Lesley+Ebbetts&mzind=N&refineOrder=1000018

[JenoftheAbbeySchool]

Have you tried East, Op? They normally have nice dresses and tops with decent sleeves.