Dresses: They’re easy to pack, they’re a fashion no-brainer, and they can go from casual to fancy even more easily than pants. That’s why they’re my absolute favorite type of clothing for travel. But you have to pack the right dresses for summer travel—versatile, wrinkle-free, and odor-resistant pieces that rock a travel wardrobe. Here are the best travel dresses for everyone.
Table of Contents
- Travel Sundresses
- Travel Maxi Dresses
- Short-Sleeve Travel Dresses
- Modest Travel Dresses
- Plus-Size Travel Dresses
- Rompers and Jumpsuits for Travel
Travel Sundresses
Stay cool with these sleeveless travel dresses for summer.
Toad&Co Manzana Tiered Sleeveless Dress
Be prepared for everything from an impromptu beach day to an outdoor dinner on a hot night with this sleeveless dress from Toad&Co. Loose-fitting but not shapeless, this dress is made from a mid-weight cotton with a slight natural crinkle, flawlessly camouflaging any and all suitcase wrinkles.
prAna Ayla Dress
PrAna has a great reputation for sustainable threads that embody comfort and style in your day-to-day life. Right now we’re loving this sundress, which can be a staple on both a summer day at home or a sunny day abroad. With functional pockets and a fabric that can move with you, this comfortable dress is a must-buy.
Everlane The Gauze Smock Dress
Everlane’s gauze smock dress is the ultimate breezy vacation dress. The smocked top with slight stretch and extra thick straps make for ultimate comfort. Pair with some lightweight sandals for a day of sightseeing or dress it up with some heels and accessories for a mid-morning brunch look.
Elan Cover-Up Slipdress
Ideal for a day on the beach, this swingy dress pulls on and off with ease. The light material adds a breezy comfort to a steamy day and keeps you covered from the boardwalk to the oceanfront.
Zella Live in Rib Midi Dress
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, Zella’s Live in Rib Midi dress is built to be the easiest dress you’ll ever take on the road. With no buttons, zippers, or fasteners, this baby effortlessly slips on like your favorite comfy tee.
Quince Tencel Jersey Mini Swing Dress
Quince has a slew of awesome summer travel dresses made from their iconic sustainable fabrics. This sleeveless number is a casual, everyday dress that works well for layering, and it’s so comfortable that it would make for a great plane outfit even on a long flight.
The Somerset Dress
The Somerset is a playful floral mini-dress from Anthropologie. The fit-and-flare style and flowy sleeves give the effect of an elevated t-shirt dress and the two pockets are great for keeping your wallet and passport handy.
Ruffle Trim Pajama Dress
With pajama in the title, you know this summer sundress will offer peak comfort. Anthroplogie’s Ruffle Trim pajama dress is a midi-length button-down style with ruffle details along the straps and down the front of the bodice. Easily pair it with some classic white sneakers for a daytime look, or dress it up with a comfortable travel heel in the evenings.
Travel Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses’ longer length protects you from the sun and offers an elegant look, without making you overheat.
REVOLVE Rain Maxi Dress
You won’t believe how unbelievably breezy and cool the Rain Maxi Dress is until you try it on. Made with a trendy thigh-high front slit and an easy pullover design, you can throw this on and be at the beach in seconds.
Loveappella Maxi Dress
This maxi dress is so perfect for travel that you’ll want to buy one in each of the four colors that it comes in. The jersey fabric is cool, lightweight, easy to pack—and extremely comfortable.
Land’s End Sleeveless Tie Waist Maxi
This tie-waist maxi dress from Lands’ End is the ultimate mix of classy and beachy. Made from a mix of cotton and modal jersey, the fabric drapes nicely and moves with you. The pullover style keeps it casual enough for daily wear, but is also an ideal beach wedding guest outfit.
Aday All Summer Maxi Dress
The All Summer Maxi from Aday is equipped with two spacious inseam pockets to store all your essentials on-the-go. The dress has a relaxed shape that is both comfortable and chic and—a bonus for all eco-friendly travelers—is made from 100% biodegradable fabric.
Short-Sleeve Travel Dresses
These short-sleeve travel dresses for summer can go from casual to elegant with the right shoes and accessories.
Pact The Softspun Tee Dress
This organic cotton dress from Pact is your favorite travel t-shirt done better. It’s made in Fair Trade Factory and, at less than $30, is one of the more affordable sustainable options around.
Carve Designs Nellie Linen Dress
Carve Designs Nellie Linen Dress is the perfect multifunctional outfit to pack for vacation. Paired with your favorite sandals, this dress is ideal for a casual day exploring your destination. Pair it with something a little more upscale and you’re ready to head out for the night.
JollieLovin Women’s T-Shirt Dress
JollieLovin Women’s t-shirt dress has an easy-to-wear, casual silhouette that works with sneakers or sandals. Wear it as is or cinch it with a fashionable tie or belt to dress it up.
eShakti Cotton Knit Midi Wrap Dress
Don’t you hate it when you find a dress off the rack that’s great—except it fits weird? That will never be the case at online retailer eShakti, where you can customize clothing to your specifications. Best of all, it’s shockingly cheap—check out the Cotton Knit Midi Wrap Dress, which is perfect for travel thanks to its cotton/spandex jersey knit fabric.
Modest Travel Dresses
These modest travel dresses for summer are ideal for visiting destinations where you want to be covered up, but still cool.
Boohoo Floral Wrap Belted Maxi Dress
This maxi dress from Boho has long sleeves and a very subtle asymmetrical hemline. It can be layered with a camisole or mock cami panel to raise the neckline.
Lulus Ready to Bloom Tiered Maxi Dress
The delicate floral pattern on this maxi dress from Lulus is perfect for summer. The smocked bodice gives it a comfortable breathability. Pair it with a sweeping lightweight cardigan to maintain the flowy silhouette while adding extra coverage.
Pomander Place Blue Stripe Griffin Dress
This shirt dress from Pomander Place is ideal for savvy packers who want to get multiple outfits out of each piece in their travel wardrobe. Save luggage space by wearing this dress three ways: as a maxi dress, with jeans or trousers as a statement shirt, or completely unbuttoned as a twist on the classic duster cardigan.
Grecerelle Long Sleeve Maxi Dress
This maxi dress has long sleeves, a modest neckline, and pockets—what more do you need? It’s also extremely affordable, so go ahead and get one in every color and print available.
Plus-Size Travel Dresses
These travel dresses are specifically designed for plus sizes.
ASOS Tie-Back Linen Sundress
This square neck mini-dress from ASOS will have you picnic-ready in no time. It has a streamlined silhouette from the front, with a large bow tie-back closure at the back adding a bit of flare.
Striped Patchwork Tassels Ties Shirred Dress
The light, breezy fabric and fluttery sleeves and hemline of this dress make it an instant summer staple. It comes in a cerulean, light blue, black, moss, or red stripe pattern, and, because you can dress it up and down, this one can be worn at any time of the day.
HBEYYTO Women’s Plus Size Maxi Dress
For those days when all you want is to throw on a cozy t-shirt but still want to feel put together, this is the dress to grab. It’s made from 95% rayon, comes in 18 colors and patterns, and —for the best part—it has pockets.
Mini Challis Tiered Tank Dress
It doesn’t get more casually stylish than this minidress and a well-worn pair of Converse. Join the two with a denim jacket and you’ll be ready to face the day in no time.
Floerns Women’s Boho Floral Print Off Shoulder Dress
This flowy off-the-shoulder dress shows off your shoulders and legs but still leaves a little mystery. It comes in 40 different colors and patterns and is made from a stretchy rayon, so you can stay comfortable while sightseeing and still show off your fashion sense.
Amazon Essentials Cap Sleeve Wrap Dress
Whether you’re heading out on a business trip or a beach vacation, you’ll want to pack this dress by Amazon Essentials. This classic style pairs cap sleeves with a tulip hem and wrap style for a polished look.
Rompers and Jumpsuits for Travel
It seems rompers and jumpsuits are becoming more and more popular with each season, and for good reason. These super comfortable and stylish ones are perfect to throw in your suitcase.
Old Navy Crinkle Cause Romper
A t-shirt and shorts in one, this crinkle gauze romper from Old Navy is a classic for good reason. Available in sizes extra small to 4X and in regular, tall, and petite size ranges.
Free People Movement Hot Shot Onesie
The Free People Movement Hotshot Onesie is effortlessly cozy and cool. Purposefully oversized and designed for maximum freedom of movement, this romper is ideal to wear on long plane rides layered over a t-shirt or under a mid-crop hoodie.
City Chic First Date Playsuit
The First Date Playsuit from City Chic is the definition of a day-to-night look. The ruffled hem at the leg gives the illusion of a mini-dress while keeping the comfort and freedom of built-in shorts. Throw this in your suitcase and be prepped for city sightseeing to roll right into an evening on the town.
UNIQLO Linen Blend Jumpsuit
UNIQLO’s Linen Blend Jumpsuit is an elevated option for fans of the classic overalls. It can be worn tied at the waist or on its own for a boxy silhouette.
All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.
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