These Are the 16 Best Travel Dresses for Easy Outfitting While Away (2024)

You can count on Quince for well-made wardrobe staples at accessible price points. The brand carries lots of high-quality, relatively low-maintenance cashmere pieces, like this travel-friendly dress. It features a sleeveless, midi-length cut and a fisherman sweater knitting pattern.

Suitable for all four seasons, this dress can be layered under a cardigan, blazer, jean jacket, or shawl, worn over a snug-fitting turtleneck or thin T-shirt, or rocked as-is in warm weather. It also pairs well with various shoe styles, including boots, sandals, flats, block heels, and wedges.

Since cashmere (a type of wool sourced from goats) is naturally odor-resistant, you can wear this dress more than once between washes — and pack fewer items for your trip. The soft, breathable material won't wrinkle or crease in your suitcase, either. But bear in mind hand washing is recommended.

The Details: XS to XL | Mongolian cashmere

If you're on a budget, look no further than Amazon. This affordable frock features a classic crew neckline, long sleeves, and an above-the-knee cut. The laidback style is essentially a sweatshirt dress, so consider wearing it with sneakers, slides, or another sporty sandal style. You can wear it en route to your destination, out and about during the day, or while padding around your vacation rental. We wish it had pockets, but for this price, we're not complaining.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Cotton, polyester

Skims is among today's most size-inclusive brands. Not only does this dress come in nine sizes (ranging from 2XS to 4X), but like other pieces from the Fits Everybody line, the unbelievably flexible, body-molding fabric stretches to double its size. Plus, it resists wrinkles and takes up minimal suitcase space. We also appreciate that the dress offers subtle shaping effects, cinching the waist and smoothing the arms and hips. Unfortunately, popular sizes and colors sell out frequently, but if you can snag this dress in your size, you won't regret it.

The Details: 2XS to 4X | Polyamide, elastane

This timeless, elegant dress from Everlane is just the thing for your upcoming trip. It flaunts a mid-length A-line skirt, a semi-fitted bodice, and short sleeves that fall just above the elbows. You can dress it up or down, wear it day or night, and pair it with a wide range of outerwear and footwear styles — think loafers and a blazer, heeled boots and an overcoat, or flats and a denim jacket. This dress is also sustainably made with organic cotton and modal sourced from responsibly managed forests.

The Details: XS to XL | Organic cotton, modal, elastane

We stand behind Nordstrom's own brand for high-quality pieces that aren't exorbitantly expensive. Case in point: this thoughtfully designed long-sleeve number. This dress features a relaxed shift silhouette, a jewel neckline, a midi-length cut with side slits, and handy pockets that are clutch for travel. The neoprene-like sweatshirt material is thick and cozy but not too heavy. And it has some stretch to it, which helps prevent wrinkles and enhances the overall comfort.

The Details: 2XS to 2XL | Polyester, rayon, spandex

Unbound Merino's Travel Dress is crafted mostly from merino wool, with a touch of nylon and spandex for extra stretch and durability. As a naturally antimicrobial textile, wool repels bacteria that cause body odor, so you can wear it multiple times between washes. This makes it ideal for travel, as you can pack fewer outfits. Less frequent washing will also help prevent the material from pilling. Though the sleeveless style is a go-to for warm climates, you can also wear it in transitional weather with the right layers and accessories.

The Details: XS to XL | Merino wool, nylon, spandex

We love this flirty yet sophisticated dress from Maeve. Reminiscent of go-go dresses from the 1960s, the Annalise has a modish mock neck, nearly elbow-length sleeves, a simple shift silhouette, and patch pockets. Though it's a mini cut, the weighty, sweater-inspired material and structured shape make it suitable for year-round wear. Whether you style it with tights and an overcoat or go bare-legged with heeled sandals, you'll be dressed to impress. The fabric should resist wrinkling, but you might consider hand washing to prevent pilling or misshaping the garment.

The Details: 2XS to XL | Viscose, polyester, nylon

Free People makes our favorite calf-length option. The Essential Slim Midi is lightweight and stretchy with a super-soft, airy feel. This semi-slim (but not too tight) T-shirt dress works as a swimsuit cover-up, resort wear, or a casual daytime outfit. The effortless design goes with sneakers, slides, wedges, platform sandals, or flats. It doesn't have pockets, but it's wrinkle-resistant and easy to pack. Just a heads up, the brand recommends hand washing this dress with cold water.

The Details: XS to XL | Polyester, viscose, elastane

We also like Anthropologie's Raya Dress. This easy-breezy maxi is perfect for a day at the beach, pool, or resort, but you can also wear it out to lunch, while shopping, to the farmer's market, or to a music festival. Available in four pretty colorways, the colorblock design is modern and eye-catching without sacrificing versatility. This dress is 100 percent cotton, so you can bet it's breathable and moisture-wicking. That said, it might wrinkle or shrink slightly in the wash — Anthropologie recommends hand washing.

The Details: XS to 3XL | Cotton

T-shirt dresses are excellent for travel, as they're easy to style and offer a casually cool streetwear appeal for daytime ensembles. We like this one from AllSaints. The Anna Maxi features a simple, slightly boxy silhouette, a sporty crew neckline, short cuffed sleeves, and side pockets, plus a longer cut, which makes it more seasonless. Since this dress is 100 percent cotton (of the organic variety), it might shrink a little the first time you wash it.

The Details: 00 to 12 | Organic cotton

This shirt dress from Aday will make you look put-together while minimizing your time curating outfits. It's made of what the brand calls "technical silk," a sumptuously smooth, stretchy, and wrinkle-proof blend of nylon and elastane. Instead of a traditional point collar and buttons, it features a simple Mandarin collar and hidden snap fastenings down the front for a sleeker, pared-down appeal — extra points for the pockets. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, you won't regret packing this professional-looking yet easygoing piece.

The Details: XS to XL | Nylon, elastane

Faherty's Jackson Dress can be worn in the fall, winter, or spring. Balancing a laidback vibe with preppy details, the modest, collared design is suitable for business-casual settings and leisurely activities alike. It's soft and cozy, too, thanks to the mid-weight sweater-inspired knit material. Since the cotton is blended with synthetic yarns, this dress should resist wrinkling. Still, hand washing is recommended to preserve the material.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Cotton, polyester, nylon, elastane

The Wrap Me Up Dress was designed with travel in mind. It's made of a durable, wrinkle-resistant blend of Tencel and polyester, so you won't have to worry about creases when packing it in a suitcase. The material is also breathable, soft, and slightly drapey, which complements the subtly flowy, A-line silhouette. Best of all, it has pockets: two on the sides and one hidden zipper pocket on the front seam where you can stash your phone, ID, passport, room key, cash, or cards.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Tencel, polyester

Athleisure was once brushed off as a passing trend of the early aughts, but the practical, non-restricting clothing style is here to stay — and it's a go-to among travelers. Athleta's Coaster Luxe Dress is made of an ultra-soft and supremely stretchy brushed sweatshirt material that'll keep you cozy while resisting wrinkles and wicking away moisture. The zippered pockets are a much-appreciated detail. You can wear this sporty frock to and from your destination, to brunch, on daily walks, while sightseeing, out shopping, or just hanging out at your hotel or vacation rental.

The Details: 2XS to 3XL | Lyocell, polyester, lycra

The little black dress – but make it seasonless. Marine Layer reimagined its best-selling Lexi Dress (a midi-length, sleeveless style) with a slightly thicker fabric, then added a mock neck and above-the-elbow sleeves. The result is an incredibly versatile piece you can wear in winter, spring, summer, or fall. It's a stellar evening dress for warm climates and can be layered and accessorized for transitional weather. In the cold months, wear it with tights, boots, a cardigan, and a warm overcoat.

The Details: XS to XL | Tencel lyocell, spandex

During the day, the Yimei Dress can be worn with sandals or flats while shopping, out to lunch, or to a work meeting. Then throw on heels and a blazer to transition your look to evening attire for happy hour, a dinner reservation, or a networking event. It's professional and elegant but not so fancy that you'll look out of place at more casual outings. We like that it looks like a wrap dress but doesn't require any wrapping, tying, or retightening throughout the day. What's more, the soft, stretchy fabric won't wrinkle in your suitcase or on your body.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Hemp, cotton, spandex

Frequently Asked Questions

• What's the best way to pack a dress?

  A wrinkle-resistant dress made of a stretchy, durable material can be folded or rolled up compactly in a suitcase. However, more delicate pieces should be carefully folded and placed on top of your other items. In some cases, a garment bag might be necessary to protect the fabric and prevent a dress from wrinkling en route.
  

• What materials are best for a travel dress?

  The best materials for travel dresses are stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, breathable, and sweat-wicking. Many fabrics and textile blends have these qualities. Natural materials like wool, cotton, and viscose tend to be the most breathable, and they keep odor-causing bacteria at bay. But they're not always as durable or flexible as their synthetic counterparts.

  Tencel lyocell and modal are exceptions, as they're naturally derived and inherently stretchy. Travel-friendly synthetic fibers include polyester, polyamide, elastane, nylon, lycra, and spandex.

From Cozy Sweaters to Versatile Shoes, This Is the Most Comfortable Travel Clothing for Women and Men