Volume at the shoulder
Eva Lendel’s Samanta places puff sleeves below an off-shoulder neckline. They taper to a short length above a ruched corset bodice and a full skirt. The sleeve is part of a larger volume balance rather than an isolated decorative detail.
A gathered upper arm may look different from front and side, particularly beside a broad skirt or train. Look at the sleeve’s attachment and where the gathered fabric ends. For a more linear arm treatment, see long-sleeve dresses; for a sleeve that can be removed, browse the removable selection.
Where the volume begins
Samanta’s rounded fabric sits below the shoulder and narrows again before the elbow. That gives the upper arm a soft, wider point while the corset still establishes a defined waist. A longer or more rigid puff would change the proportion, so inspect the start and end of the gathered area. The relationship with skirt volume matters: Samanta uses a full skirt, while another gown might place a puff beside a much narrower lower line.
Do puff sleeves have to be long? No. Samanta’s sleeves are short. “Puff” describes their rounded volume, not the distance they cover down the arm.