A modest 3/4 sleeve dress is a dress whose sleeves end between the elbow and the wrist, usually paired with a midi or maxi length, so it covers the arms without the warmth of a full long sleeve. Nuggles makes them in sizes S through 3XL at the same price in every size, with most styles between $33.99 and $54.99 at regular price.
We should say up front: this post was written by Nuggles, and Nuggles is on the list. We're a family-owned modest clothing company, and of course we think our dresses are worth a look. We've tried to be fair to the other brands, and there are a few situations below where we'd honestly send you somewhere else.
Prices and sizes were checked in November 2026 on each brand's own website. Prices change and styles sell out, so check before you order.
Why 3/4 sleeves are so popular for modest dressing
A 3/4 sleeve covers the upper arm and the elbow, which is where a lot of women want coverage, and it stays out of the way when you're cooking, holding a baby, or washing your hands. It works most of the year. In summer it's cooler than a long sleeve, and in winter it layers easily under a cardigan or over a tee.
The short answer
- Everyday dresses under $55: Nuggles (S–3XL) or Kosher Casual (mostly XS–XXL)
- Above 3XL: Ivy City Co (most styles to 5X) or Dainty Jewells (to 4X)
- 100% cotton, gauze, or linen blends: The Main Street Exchange or Skirt Society
- Matching mother-daughter dresses: Ivy City Co or Lena Layne
- Something dressier for a holiday or event: Ivy City Co or Dainty Jewells
1. Nuggles
Nuggles is a family-owned modest clothing company in Glenpool, Oklahoma, and we've been making skirts and dresses since 2013. We carry a large range of 3/4 sleeve dresses.
What we do well
Our women's dresses come in S, M, L, XL, XXL and 3XL, and each style costs the same in every size. You don't pay more for an XXL than for a small. Our 3/4 sleeve dresses run from $33.99 for the Original Midi Layering Dress to $54.99 for the Patricia Midi Dress at regular price, and most land in the middle.
The Original Midi Layering Dress is the one most women start with. It's 95% cotton and 5% spandex, it runs true to size, and it's meant to go under a jumper or pinafore or be worn on its own. Size up if you like a looser fit. It also comes in a tea-length version at $36.99 and in the rest of our layering dresses.
Our printed 3/4 sleeve dresses are a soft rayon with a little stretch. The Bristol Dress is 46 inches long with a round neckline and an elasticized hem that gathers into a soft ruffle. Indigo Isle is a rich blue print.
The Patricia is 45 inches long with a relaxed tiered skirt and ruffle details. Cherry Dot is small cherry-red dots on a soft coral background.
If you want full length, the Cleo Maxi Dress is 57 inches with a crew neckline and a slim elastic waistband, $45.99. Porcelain is a white tile print on a navy ground. You'll find more full-length styles in our maxi dresses.
The Nova Midi Dress has a square neckline, an elastic waist, and a 45-inch length. Blue Rose is a rose floral in cool blue tones.
Many of our dresses are marked maternity friendly, and we make a maternity friendly collection plus the Nalani Nursing Dress. For daughters, our girls' dresses run 4T to 14Y.
Where we're not the answer
We stop at 3XL and start at S. If you wear an XS or anything above a 3XL, you'll do better with the brands below. We don't make bridal or formal dresses, and our fabrics are cotton-spandex and rayon-spandex knits, so if you want 100% cotton, linen, or gauze, we're not the place.
2. Ivy City Co
Ivy City Co is the one we'd point you to first if you wear above a 3XL. Most of their 3/4 sleeve dresses run XXS to 5X, and they're the same price in every size. They also make "Mini" girls' versions of many of their dresses, so mothers and daughters can match.
They sit at a higher price point. Their full-price 3/4 sleeve dresses were $128 to $168 when we checked, with a good number marked down at the time. Some of their dresses are 100% cotton or 100% viscose. If you're buying for a holiday, a family photo, or a special event, this is a good place to look.
3. Dainty Jewells
Dainty Jewells is a family-owned, woman-run company based in the Northwest. Their dresses run XS to 4X, so they're another good choice above a 3XL. Sizes XL and up are $5 more on the product pages we checked.
Their 3/4 sleeve dresses ran from about $80 to $149 when we checked, with most over $109. At least one was marked as nursing friendly, and they carry maternity, mommy-and-me, and kids' sections. Several of their newest dresses were listed as coming soon when we checked.
4. The Main Street Exchange
The Main Street Exchange was founded in 2012 and has a store just outside Lancaster, Pennsylvania. If natural fibers matter to you, this is where we'd send you. Their 3/4 sleeve dresses include cotton gauze, 100% cotton gingham, and a linen-cotton blend, and several are described as nursing friendly.
Their 3/4 sleeve dresses we found run XS to 3X, at about $60 to $72 full price, with no extra charge for larger sizes.
5. Lena Layne
Lena Layne has a store in Spanish Fork, Utah, and sells its own label alongside other brands. We counted 16 dresses in stock described as 3/4 or elbow length, mostly $64 to $72, all going up to 3X with no extra charge by size. Some have little girl versions for matching.
6. Inherit Clothing Co
Inherit is based in Morris, Minnesota, and used to be The Skirt Outlet. They had a smaller run of 3/4 sleeve dresses in stock when we checked, $64 to $89, mostly XS to 2XL. One has a front zipper they describe as nursing friendly, and one is a washed cotton chambray. If you wear a 3XL or above, look elsewhere for this sleeve length right now.
7. Kosher Casual
Kosher Casual is the closest to Nuggles on price. Most of their 3/4 sleeve and elbow-length dresses were $34.90 to $59.90 full price, including a 100% cotton A-line, and their layering dresses are described as having no slits. Most styles run XS to XXL. Plus sizes 18 to 24 are sold as a separate listing, at $3 more on the one we compared. It's a small catalog, and a lot of sizes were sold out when we checked.
Brands we looked at and left out
We also checked Roolee, Downeast, Kiki Riki, and HALFTEE. Each is still selling, but we couldn't find a range of 3/4 sleeve dresses on any of their sites, so they're not on this list. That's no knock on the brands. It just isn't what they're known for.
How to pick the right 3/4 sleeve dress
Check the length in inches
"Midi" means different things at different brands. A 45 or 46 inch dress usually lands mid-calf on someone around 5'7". If you're tall, look for a maxi or a listed length over 50 inches.
Look at the fabric
Cotton-spandex holds its shape and works well for layering. Rayon-spandex is softer and drapes more. Linen and gauze are cooler but wrinkle and are usually sheerer.
Know whether larger sizes cost more
Some brands charge more for XL and up or sell plus sizes as a separate product. If you're shopping across several brands, compare the price in your size, not the starting price.
Plan your layers
A 3/4 sleeve dress works with a cardigan in winter. If you want more arm coverage without buying a new dress, a 3/4 sleeve tee under a jumper does the same job. Our guide to how a modest dress should fit goes into this in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy modest 3/4 sleeve dresses for under $50?
Nuggles and Kosher Casual both have 3/4 sleeve dresses under $50 at regular price. At Nuggles the Original Midi Layering Dress is $33.99, the Bristol and Cleo are $45.99, and every size costs the same.
Which brands sell modest 3/4 sleeve dresses in plus sizes?
Nuggles goes to 3XL at no extra charge. Main Street Exchange and Lena Layne go to 3X. For sizes above 3XL, Ivy City Co carries most of its 3/4 sleeve dresses to 5X and Dainty Jewells goes to 4X. Shop our plus size dresses to see everything we make in XL to 3XL.
Are 3/4 sleeves modest enough for church?
For most churches and most families, yes. A 3/4 sleeve covers the shoulder, upper arm and elbow. If your church expects full sleeves, add a cardigan or choose a long sleeve dress. We wrote a whole post on the best modest dresses for church.
Can I wear a 3/4 sleeve dress in winter?
Yes. Add a cardigan, a denim jacket, or a long sleeve tee underneath, and tights or boots. A cotton-spandex layering dress is the easiest one to build on. If you'd rather skip the layers, look at our long sleeve dresses.
Do 3/4 sleeve dresses work for maternity and nursing?
Many do. Look for stretch fabric, an elastic or empire waist, and a little extra length to allow for a growing belly. For nursing, look for a front zipper, buttons or a nursing panel. Nuggles, Main Street Exchange, Inherit and Dainty Jewells all have at least one 3/4 sleeve dress described as nursing friendly.
Where can I find matching 3/4 sleeve dresses for mother and daughter?
Ivy City Co makes "Mini" versions of many of its women's dresses, and Lena Layne has little girl versions of some styles. Nuggles makes girls' dresses in 4T to 14Y, and our girls' layering dress comes in some of the same solid colors as the women's Original Midi Layering Dress, such as navy.
Shop Nuggles 3/4 sleeve dresses
If our dresses sound like a fit for you, you can browse every 3/4 sleeve dress we make in S through 3XL, all at one price per style. And if one of the other brands here suits you better, we're glad you found it. We're rooting for you either way. ♥
