7 Reasons Why The Long Sleeve Dress Is A Partywear Hero

Covering up for cocktail hour just got the A-list seal of approval…

Party season is upon us, and a great dress (or several) is needed. While there’s spaghetti-straps aplenty and bandeau numbers in their hoards, the most modern way to do partywear right now is with a long sleeve. Really.

Perfect for those who want to leave the jacket at home as well as for those who’d rather keep a little more to the imagination, these far-from-frumpy dresses are a striking evening alternative which have been given a new season spin thanks to the major fashion houses. And not only that, the classic long sleeve dress has become a red carpet favourite of some of the best-dressed stars.

See for yourself below, and get a hit of inspiration for your festive wardrobe…

Jennifer Lopez A bold print is all you need this party season to make an impact. So if you’re going short, make sure it’s got long sleeves just like Jennifer Lopez’s sassy Valentino number.

Keira Knightley Keira has been leading the way with the cover-up trend. Starting with Giambattista Valli and then Chanel, she rounded off her recent love-in with the long sleeve silhouette with this boldly printed Dolce & Gabbana dress. Fab bold lip too, Keira.

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld Covering up without actually covering up all that much, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld nails the sheer trend with a demure yet provocative long sleeve dress. Feminine and sexy all in one, we love.

Suki Waterhouse A sheer sleeve like that of Suki’s Valentino gown is a great way to add a hint of demure without going all the way.

Margot Robbie Margot Robbie’s Marc Jacobs sequin dress and Aquazurra heels were made for dancing all night long. The long sleeves add an of-the-moment 60s vibe without killing any of the dancefloor spirit.

Jena Malone Statement evening dressing is all about balance. So if a bold hue and thigh-high split is on your wish-list make sure to take your cue from Jena Malone’s Hunger Games premiere dress and opt for long sleeves…

Anne Hathaway The epitome of elegance, Anne Hathaway’s quietly amazing dress proves that embellishment is so much more impactful when it’s applied to a long sleeve silhouette.