Long-Sleeve Mini Dresses Are Top Outfits for Early Spring

This is a tricky time of year to get dressed. I want to put winter and all of its chunky knits behind me, but the reality is that it’s still pretty cold. But rather than just saying, “Fine!” and throwing on the same sweater I’ve worn for months, I reach for my tried-and-true transitional outfit, which Julia Louis-Dreyfus just wore.

Between SNL50: The Anniversary Special and its after party, the actress made a quick outfit change, swapping her glitzy off-the-shoulder dress and pumps for something a little more sensible: a long-sleeve black mini dress and matching knee-high boots.

Everlane Form Mini Dress

Modatope Knee-High Boots

The combination, which has also been seen on Salma Hayek, is one I swear by for late winter and early spring dressing. The short hem and tall boots reveal only a few inches of skin, leaving you almost entirely covered (if it’s really cold, add tights), but it looks way less heavy than the traditional winter styles we’ve been leaning on. Plus, the dress is something you can continue to wear even as it warms up; just swap those boots for some pumps. Below, I found nine long-sleeve dresses that can take you from winter to spring, starting at just $25.

9 Long-Sleeve Mini Dresses

Madewell Bubble-Sleeve Smocked Mini Dress

Louis-Dreyfus wore a simple shift dress, but if you prefer something more shapely, consider grabbing this 73-percent off style from Madewell. The mini dress has a cinched smocked waist, which is a nice contrast to its voluminous bubble sleeves and breezy skirt. Those details add excitement to the simple style, but shoppers say it’s still incredibly easy to wear. One fan even wrote that there’s no place they wouldn’t rock the versatile piece, deeming it the “best little black dress ever.”

Valiamcep Mini Dress

This $27 style from Amazon leans a little more sexy. Unlike the other dresses I’m eyeing, this dress hugs the body, with shoppers saying that it highlights their curves. TBH, that can be a little intimidating to me, but fans of this note that the ruching at the side of the dress “makes it so flattering.” 

English Factory Twofer Sweater Mini Dress

English Factory’s Twofer sweater dress offers a preppy-cool look. The striped style has a relaxed V-neck, collar, and roomy fit. But what really makes it special is the hem, which is designed to look like a pleated mini skirt. This dress gives the illusion that you tossed your favorite big sweater over a cute little skirt.

Gap Barrel-Sleeve Denim Mini Dress

I’m obsessed with this denim pick from Gap, which pairs elevated details with a more everyday style. The style brings the trending barrel silhouette to the sleeves, adding unexpected shape and volume to the classic piece, and cinches slightly at the waist. In short, it’s the least-basic denim dress you’ll own.

Long-sleeve mini dresses and knee-high boots are my end-of-winter uniform, so I’m grabbing a few more dresses to take me into spring. Below, shop more of my top picks.

AllSaints Devin Long-Sleeve Draped Dress

J.Crew Sophia Tweed Scoopneck Dress

Reformation Jamie Knit Dress

Aritzia Wilfred Ponte Dress