Best Short Sleeve Formal Dresses of 2025

Mary Hopper Avatar
Mary Hopper
Last Updated: Jan 3, 2025

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Short sleeve formal dresses are an excellent choice for those who want to look elegant and stylish at formal events without feeling too stuffy. These dresses come in a variety of styles, colors, and fabrics, so you can find the perfect one to suit your taste and body type. Some popular options include fitted sheath dresses, flowing A-line dresses, and glamorous mermaid gowns. Whether you are attending a wedding, a gala, or a black-tie event, a short sleeve formal dress is a versatile and timeless choice that will make you look and feel your best.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

GRACE KARIN Sequin Maxi Dress Cover #TOP 1
GRACE KARIN Sequin Maxi Dress
ftb score rating icon 9.8
MEROKEETY Floral Lace Maxi Dress Cover #TOP 2
MEROKEETY Floral Lace Maxi Dress
ftb score rating icon 9.7
PRETTYGARDEN Women's Tulle Midi Dress Cover #TOP 3
PRETTYGARDEN Women's Tulle Midi Dress
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Short Sleeve Formal Dresses

#TOP 1

GRACE KARIN Sequin Maxi Dress

Black
XX-Large
GRACE KARIN Sequin Maxi Dress Cover
Women's Elegant A Line V Neck Short Sleeve Sequin Maxi Evening Dress Black XXL

The GRACE KARIN Sequin Dress is a stunning choice for any formal occasion. Made from a blend of 95% polyester and 5% elastane, this dress offers a comfortable fit while providing a touch of sparkle. The A-line silhouette and empire waist create a flattering shape, making you feel elegant and feminine. With its short ruffle sleeves and v-neck design, this dress adds a stylish flair that enhances your look. Perfect for pairing with heels and accessories, you can easily create a gorgeous appearance for events like weddings, proms, or cocktail parties.

What We Like
Sparkly and comfortable material
Flattering A-line silhouette
Versatile for various occasions
Easy to accessorize
#TOP 2

MEROKEETY Floral Lace Maxi Dress

Maxi Dress
Apricot
Large
MEROKEETY Floral Lace Maxi Dress Cover
MEROKEETY Women's 2024 V Neck Short Sleeve Floral Lace Wedding Dress Bridesmaid Cocktail Party Maxi Dress, Apricot, Large

MEROKEETY Lace Maxi Dress is a beautiful piece of formal wear suitable for various occasions. The dress is made of high-quality eyelash lace fabric that is soft, lightweight, and breathable. It features a unique design with a deep V-neckline, sheer lace short sleeves, and a chic lace floral pattern. The dress has a high waist and back elastic waistband that creates a fit and flowy silhouette. It comes with full lining and concealed back zipper for added convenience. This dress is perfect for a wedding party, cocktail, evening, prom, and other special occasions. You can pair it with your favorite heels and necklace for a complete look. You can machine wash it with a laundry bag, or hand wash it cold, but do not bleach it.

What We Like
Soft and lightweight fabric
Unique and chic lace design
Fit and flowy silhouette
#TOP 3

PRETTYGARDEN Women's Tulle Midi Dress

Navy
Large
PRETTYGARDEN Women's Tulle Midi Dress Cover
PRETTYGARDEN Women's Smocked Midi Tulle Dress 2025 Summer Puffy Short Sleeve Square Neck Ruffle Wedding Guest Party Dresses (Navy,Large)

The PRETTYGARDEN Tulle Midi Dress is designed for comfort and style during the summer months. Made from lightweight tulle fabric, this dress allows for easy movement, keeping you cool in warm weather. The chic short sleeves and flattering square neckline enhance your feminine look, making it perfect for various occasions. You can easily dress it up with heels for a formal event or keep it casual with sandals for a day out. Its tiered skirt adds a dreamy flow, ensuring you feel graceful whether at a garden party or a beach vacation.

What We Like
Lightweight, breathable fabric
Flattering square neckline
Versatile for various occasions
Stylish tiered design
#TOP 4

Ever-Pretty Sparkle A-Line Evening Dress

EE50159DG12
Dark Green
Ever-Pretty Sparkle A-Line Evening Dress Cover
Ever-Pretty Womens Evening Dresses V Neck Short Sleeves A-line Glitter Formal Dresses Dark Green US12

Get ready to shine in the Ever-Pretty Sparkle Dress. This fully lined dress features a double V-neck, ruched bust, ribbon waistline, and A-line silhouette. The sparkle material adds elegance to this unique, fashion-forward formal dress, making it perfect for any special occasion. Although there are no built-in bras and no stretch, this dress is still comfortable to wear. Whether you're attending a wedding, prom, or cocktail party, this dress is perfect for you. Thanks to Ever-Pretty, you can have a stylish and affordable dress with a unique design, so don't hesitate to add this beautiful evening dress to your wardrobe.

What We Like
Sparkle material adds elegance
Multiple occasions
Comfortable to wear
#TOP 5

Ever-Pretty Chiffon Wedding Guest Dress

EG02053NB04-USA
Navy Blue
Ever-Pretty Chiffon Wedding Guest Dress Cover
Ever-Pretty Women's Crew Neck Pleated Waist Short Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress Chiffon Bridesmaid Dresses Navy Blue US04

The Ever-Pretty Wedding Guest Dress is a stylish choice for any semi-formal occasion. With its knee-length design and short ruffled sleeves, you can enjoy comfort and elegance, making it perfect for warmer seasons. The dress features a padded lining and a concealed zipper, ensuring a flattering fit and easy wear. Its versatile A-line silhouette allows you to dress it up or down for weddings, proms, or cocktail parties. This beautiful piece is not just for one occasion; it's an investment in your wardrobe that you can wear time and again.

What We Like
Elegant knee-length design
Comfortable ruffled sleeves
Flattering A-line silhouette
Versatile for various occasions

Dokotoo Women's Cocktail Party Midi Dress

DA5W6110363-18-XL
Apricot
X-Large
Dokotoo Women's Cocktail Party Midi Dress Cover
Dokotoo Women's Warp V Neck Ruffle Short Sleeve A Line Swing Flared Cocktail Party Midi Dress Formal Dresses for Women Evening Party Apricot XL

Dokotoo Women's Cocktail Party Midi Dress is a stylish and versatile option for any special occasion. The dress features a deep V neckline and a flattering A-line shape that accentuates your curves. The wrap waist detail adds a touch of elegance and allows for a customized fit. The high waist design creates a slimming effect, while the ruffled hem adds a feminine touch. The solid color and long length make it suitable for weddings, cocktail parties, and other formal events. With its comfortable and flattering silhouette, this dress will make you feel confident and beautiful wherever you go.

What We Like
Stylish and versatile
Flattering A-line shape
Customizable fit with wrap waist detail
#TOP 7

BeryLove BLS007 Sequin Dress

Black
Large
BeryLove BLS007 Sequin Dress Cover
BeryLove Women Sequin Formal Party Dress Flutter Short Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress Cocktail Long Evening Dress BLS007 Black L

The BeryLove Sequin Dress is designed to make you shine at any event. Its soft, breathable fabric adorned with sequins catches the light beautifully, ensuring you stand out at parties and weddings. The elegant design features a ruffled hemline, offering a flattering look that enhances your silhouette. Comfort is key, as the stretchy material allows for easy movement and a comfortable fit. Whether you're attending a cocktail party or a graduation, this dress is a versatile addition to your wardrobe that combines style and comfort effortlessly.

What We Like
Eye-catching sequin embellishment
Flattering ruffled hemline
Soft, breathable fabric
Versatile for various occasions
#TOP 8

R.Vivimos Vintage Velvet Maxi Dress

Darkgreen
Small
R.Vivimos Vintage Velvet Maxi Dress Cover
R.Vivimos Women's Fall Winter Vintage Velvet Dress Short Sleeve V Neck Elastic Waist Tiered Ruffle A-Line Flowy Maxi Dress (Small, DarkGreen)

The R.Vivimos Velvet Maxi Dress is crafted from a soft and warm stretchy velvet fabric, making it perfect for cooler seasons like fall and winter. The elegant design features a flattering V-neck and short sleeves, along with an elastic waist that provides comfort while accentuating your figure. The tiered ruffle skirt adds a touch of femininity, allowing you to transition easily from casual outings to more formal events. Plus, the dress is versatile enough for various occasions, whether it’s a wedding, party, or a cozy gathering with friends.

What We Like
Soft and comfortable fabric
Flattering fit for various body types
Versatile for multiple occasions
Elegant tiered ruffle design
#TOP 9

Happy Sailed Elegant Maxi Dress

HS5W6118527-P2-S
Black
Small
Happy Sailed Elegant Maxi Dress Cover
Happy Sailed Formal Dresses for Curvy Women Elegant Crew Neck Short Sleeve Tie Knot Long Maxi Cocktail Party Dress for Wedding Guest Black Small

The Happy Sailed Formal Dress is designed for comfort and style. With its short sleeves and crew neck, this dress offers a chic look suitable for various occasions. The high waist and self-tie feature allow you to create a flattering silhouette, making it easy to feel confident. Made from soft, lightweight material, this dress is breathable and perfect for wearing in warmer seasons. Plus, its versatility means you can easily pair it with sandals or heels for a polished outfit, whether you're attending a wedding or just enjoying a day out.

What We Like
Comfortable and lightweight material
Flattering self-tie waist
Versatile for various occasions
Easy to style with accessories
#TOP 10

Meetjen Velvet Cocktail Dress

Dark Red
Large
Meetjen Velvet Cocktail Dress Cover
Meetjen Women Cocktail Dress 2024 Formal Wedding Guest Dress Fall Short Sleeve Swing Tea Party Dresses Dark Red L

The Meetjen Cocktail Dress is a stunning addition to your wardrobe, crafted from luxurious velvet and adorned with sequins for a touch of glamour. The butterfly short sleeves and empire waist design create a flattering silhouette, perfect for showcasing your figure at any fall event. With its crew neckline and tea-length cut, this dress is both elegant and comfortable. Suitable for a range of occasions—from weddings to holiday parties—this versatile piece allows you to dress it up or down, making it a must-have for your social calendar.

What We Like
High-quality velvet material
Flattering A-line silhouette
Versatile for many occasions
Stylish butterfly short sleeves
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our short sleeve formal dress research, we found 48 short sleeve formal dress products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 31,597 customer reviews through our big data system to write the short sleeve formal dresses list. We found that most customers choose short sleeve formal dresses with an average price of $54.08.

The short sleeve formal dresses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of short sleeve formal dresses, including GRACE KARIN, MEROKEETY, PRETTYGARDEN, Ever-Pretty, Dokotoo. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,398 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Mary Hopper Avatar

Mary Hopper is an Italian fashion designer with 10 years of extensive working experience in the fashion industry. She can design clothing and fashion accessories, such as handbags, backpacks, shoes, and jewelry. She is also a professionally trained content writer specializing in managing various fashion and beauty blogs.