Looking for the best travel dresses? Here are the ones I’ve tried and love.
When I travel, I prefer wearing dresses. It simplifies the whole packing process, and it makes coordinating outfits on trips a breeze. The maximizer in me will be stressing about it all day, even with a packing list in hand, so it helps!
For this post, I tested many highly rated travel dresses mentioned on travel sites and got recommendations from our globetrotting friends on the road. Plus, I’m sharing a few of my own personal travel staples I’ve discovered along the way.
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Last Updated: May 1, 2023
Many outdoor brands are also starting to make lifestyle lines, so you can have stylish clothes that also perform well. Sometimes it means you have to dig through all the items that scream outdoorsy to find the gems.
We reached out to the major travel and outdoor brands on the market (including Adventure Dress, Anatomie, Fig Clothing, Helene Clarkson, prAna, Rec Room, Toad&Co) to identify their top sellers and then cross-referenced it with numerous travel sites, blogs, and globetrotting friends.
None required inclusion, and we sent back any dresses that did not fit or travel well.
Keep in mind that many of these brands are pricier because they use performance fabrics and care more about fair trade and sustainability. But if you’re looking for dresses mid to lower price range dresses, we included those too.
Before we get into my top choices for dresses, here are some things I’m looking for when searching for the best travel dresses.
What Makes a Great Travel Dress?
- Comfort – though I might carry one fancier dress for a special occasion, most of the clothes I travel with are comfy chic.
- Versatility – can be dressed up or down. It’s even better if it’s convertible clothing or a 2-piece dress that makes it easy to mix and match. Usually, convertible clothing can be pretty ugly, but occasionally, you find a gem.
- Wrinkle Free – I don’t want to spend part of my trip ironing clothes.
- Packable – Light and easy to pack.
- Performance – Sweat-wicking or quick drying is icing on the cake. If the dress looks too sporty, though, it’s not a must.
- No More Rompers or Jumpsuits – I used to be a major fan, but after a few incidences where I was stuck in a place I didn’t want to strip naked, I reserve them for days I’m home or when I know I will have easy access to a bathroom all day.
Note: You know your body best and what style looks best on you. I’m generally a size 0 petite. If there’s no petite size, I accept that minis will look like midis, and midis will look like maxis on me.
The Best Travel Dresses in 2023
1. Prana Cozy Up Bayjour Dress ($89) →
Activities: Urban Exploration, Beach, Soft Adventures
Material: 55% Hemp | 25% Recycled Polyester | TENCEL™ Lyocell
Size Worn: XS in Heather Grey (true to size)
I loved all my previous Prana dresses (now discontinued), so I knew I would love the Cozy Up Bayjour Dress. It is so soft and comfortable, can be dressed up or down, and pockets are always a plus. I’ll later post up all the mixing and matching I can do with my wardrobe and this dress.
Pros
- Soft fabric
- Lightweight than most dresses, but on this list, it’s one of the heavier fabrics.
- Flattering shape with rib knit tank bodice
- Bacteria resistant
- Quick drying
- Versatile and can be dressed up or down
- On-seam pockets
- Recycled fibers and eco-friendly materials
Cons
- Other reviewers mention the fabric is heavier than expected, and the black color looks faded.
- Waist line could be higher to be more flattering on petite frames, but it’s okay if you’re average height.
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Prana or Amazon.
2. Verdusa Petal Tunic Dress ($31) →
Activities: Urban exploration.
Sizing: XS in Yellow (runs large on me)
It’s not the best quality fabric, but I’ve worn it for several years, and it holds up, unlike other fast fashion pieces I’ve previously owned. It’s mostly for city travel, but I’ve also worn this as a swimsuit cover-up and went SUPing with it.
Pros
- Versatile and can be dressed up or down.
- Can machine wash cold and tumble dry low.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Will wrinkle
- Fabric has a little stretch but isn’t very soft.
- Fabric is low quality with a “plasticky” feel, but it’s sewn together well.
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Amazon.
3. Arc’teryx Contenta Dress ($100) →
Activities: Urban Exploration, Outdoor Adventures
Material: 100% recycled Diem™ polyester
Size Worn: XS in Light Immersion (true to size on me)
They made a newer version of this dress with a looser silhouette and a scooped neckline. Meanwhile, I still have the older version.
This dress is the most lightweight option on here and feels the most breezy out of all the dresses. I especially gravitate towards it on hot summer days (we have plenty of them in Vegas).
Pros
- Quick dry
- Lightweight
- Stretchy
- Pockets
- Anti-wrinkle
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Can wear it two ways.
- Materials meet the bluesign criteria for sustainability.
Cons
- The elastic waistband inside is annoying to use to cinch the waist (the newer version has it on the outside).
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Amazon.
4. Anatomie Taya Racerback Maxi Dress ($168) →
Activities: Urban exploration, Beach, Nicer Dinners, Work trips
Material: 95% Viscose / 5% Elastane
Size Worn: XS in Navy (true to size on me other than length)
Let me start by saying I’m a big fan of Anatomie’s line of travel clothes. Everything is high quality. I own two pairs of Skylar Pants in black and gray because they’re perfect for flying, and now this dress!
The performance fabric keeps you comfortable, and the mesh panel makes it perfect for warm-weather travel.
Pros
- Stretchy, Relaxed fit
- Quick dry
- Lightweight
- Anti-wrinkle
- Flattering shape
Cons
- No pockets
- I had to hem it since there are no petite sizes
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Anatomie.
5. Helene Clarkson Sabi Reversible Halter Dress ($143) →
Activities: Urban exploration, Work travel
Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
Size Worn: XS in teal (true to size on me)
The material is so soft and comfortable that I can practically sleep in it! What initially drew me to this dress was that it’s reversible, and you can wear it as a mock-neck halter style or a v-neck. Also, since the fabric is so thin, you can wear it as a top with baggier bottoms like joggers.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable and stretchy
- Wrinkle Free
- Reversible – front is pleated mock neck, and the back is a relaxed v-neck
Cons
- Hang to dry
- It’s easy to snag, so be careful around sharp objects or velcro.
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Helene Clarkson.
6. Girlfriend Collective – Lola V-neck Dress (on sale for $88) →
Activities: Hiking, Climbing, Urban exploration.
Material: 90% RPET and 10% spandex
Size Worn: XS in alpine (true to size on me)
The Lola V-Neck is perfect for any activity. With its built-in shorts, you can even climb without worrying about flashing people. They make them out of 90% recycled plastic bottles (RPET).
Plus, they have their ReGirlfriend recycling program, where they turn your dress into future clothes. Talk about a brand that cares about sustainability.
It was also perfect for travel with a diverse range of activities. We zip-lined in the morning before exploring the city, and the built-in shorts made that all possible.
I’ve been mainly wearing this to the climbing gym, so I need to take more photos.
Girlfriend Collective sent me two dresses to showcase on my climbing account, but I loved them so much that I included them here.
Pros
- Comfortable fabric.
- Flattering shape around waist and hips with its compression.
- Built in bra.
- Built in shorts.
- Pockets on inner shorts.
- Sweat-wicking.
- Ultra-lightweight.
- Sustainably made from 90% recycled plastic bottles, and they have a recycle program called ReGirlfriend.
- UPF 50+
Cons
- Must be hang-dried.
- Doesn’t hide stiff nips, and if you’re already flat, it flattens you more.
- Harder to take on and off to go to the bathroom.
- Looks more sporty.
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Girlfriend Collective.
7. Toad and Co Marley Tiered Sleeveless Dress ($90) →
Activities: Urban Exploration, Beach, Soft Adventures
Material: 48% TENCEL™ Lyocell | 48% Organic Cotton | 4% Elastane
Size Worn: XS in Salt (runs large on me)
The Marley Tiered dress is comfortable, versatile, and perfect for hot summers. It’s easy to throw on whether lounging at home or exploring the city.
Toad and Co value sustainability, and I thought it was cute that even their tags are made to be reusable as a coaster.
Pros
- Loose, flowy silhouette
- Bra-friendly coverage
- On-seam pockets
- Anti-odor
- Made with eco-friendly fibers and packaging
- Joy-backed guarantee
Cons
- The bust runs large for me since I’m petite and flat-chested.
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Toad & Co.
8. Prana Railay Dress ($99) →
Activities: Urban Exploration, Outdoor Adventures, Beach
Material: 68% Recycled Polyester | 19% Polyester | 13% Elastane
Size Worn: XS in Rust (true to size on me)
The performance fabric feels great for summertime in Vegas, and the slit in the back gives you extra ventilation. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and I love that it looks like a two-piece dress.
Pros
- Ultra lightweight
- Breathable fabric
- 4-way stretch
- UPF 50+
- Vented slit at the center back
- Invisible zipper pocket
- Moisture-wicking
- Made with recycled fibers, fair trade certified, bluesign product
- Machine Washable
Cons
- Not as wrinkle-resistant as other dresses.
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Prana.
9. Wander Adventure Dress ($88) →
Activities: Urban exploration, Soft adventure
Material: 100% Soft Rayon Voile Fabric
Size Worn: XS/S in Marrakech print (fits large on me)
Even though this dress doesn’t use performance fabrics, it’s flowy, lightweight, and photogenic. In this case, there’s a little more form over function, but some dresses are for the photos.
P.S. It does wrinkle, but the style of this dress is more forgiving of wrinkles, unlike the classic adventure dress (see below).
Pros
- Made from female artisans in Indonesia.
- Soft and comfortable.
- Light.
- Packs small.
Cons
- The shoulders need hemming if you’re petite.
- No pockets.
- Says wrinkle resistant, but it wrinkles.
More Reviews and Compare Prices on The Adventure Dress.
10. Fig CLothing Hampton Dress (On sale for $72) →
Activities: Urban exploration, soft adventure
Material: 100% Cotton (Honeycomb terry)
Size Worn: XS in Terracotta Stripe (true to size on me)
Fig makes practical travel clothes that makes no sacrifice on style, and the Hampton dress has been the perfect addition to my capsule wardrobe. I love the simple design and the in seam pockets.
Pros
- Soft on skin
- Comfortable
- UPF 25 solar protection
- In-seam pockets
- Quality fabric
- Machine washable
Cons
- Heavier than my other travel dresses because of its thicker fabric
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Fig Clothing.
11. Rec Room Day Trip Open Back Dress ($118) →
Activities: Urban exploration, soft adventure, hiking
Size Worn: XS in black (true to size on me)
I love this comfortable dress that you can throw on and still look dressed up enough to go to a nice dinner or clubbing.
I can’t find the material info anywhere, but their performance fabric manufacturer has also made activewear for Team USA in the Olympics. The dress has raw edges, if you’re picky about that, but it hasn’t frayed in the 3+ years I’ve worn it.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- 4-way stretch
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Quick dry
- Antimicrobial property
- Made in California (for sustainability)
- Open back is great for summer
- Machine washable
Cons
- No pockets
- They don’t hem the edges
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Rec Room.
12. Rec Room Tank Dress ($96) →
Activities: Urban exploration, soft adventure, hiking
Size Worn: XS in red (true to size on me)
If I were to buy one dress, I would do the open-back dress over this one, but I’ve brought both on plenty of trips.
The material is the same as above, except this one has pockets and is longer. Also, the shape is not as forgiving as their open-back dress. I can tell the difference after I eat.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Pockets
- 4-way stretch
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Quick dry
- Antimicrobial property
- Made in California (for sustainability)
- Machine washable
Cons
- Tighter fit than the open-back dress
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Rec Room.
13. Creamy White CLassic Adventure Dress ($84) →
Activities: Urban exploration, soft adventure.
Material: 100% Soft Rayon Voile Fabric
Size Worn: Petite XS/S in creamy white (true to size)
Although they don’t use performance fabrics, it’s lightweight and comfortable. I don’t wear this one as often as the wander adventure dress since you have to iron it. It still makes an excellent addition to my travel wardrobe for photos. I’m cringing as I say this, but I did it for the gram.
Pros
- Made from female artisans in Indonesia
- Soft and comfortable
- Light
- Packs small
- Many colors and patterns
Cons
- No pockets
- Says wrinkle-resistant, but it does wrinkle
More Reviews and Compare Prices on The Adventure Dress.
14. Milumia BUtton Up Split FLoral Print Flowy Party Maxi Dress ($44) →
Activities: Urban exploration, beach
I wear an XS in the Beige Yellow, but the dress runs big and fits loose on me (I’m a petite XS sometimes XXS).
The fit isn’t perfect on me, but it still looks great for photos (see photo below). I have other travel bloggers friends with this same dress who own it in more than one color. If it fits you, it’s a fan favorite.
Pros
- Comfortable Fabric
- Flattering shape
- Lightweight
- Machine Washable
Cons
- Must be line dried
- Will wrinkle
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Amazon.
15. Encircled Chrysalis Cardi Dress ($215) →
Activities: Urban exploration, in flight.
I learned about Encircled and had the Chrysalis Cardi back in 2015. I love how this wrap dress can be worn in 8+ different ways (see all the ways here).
Pros
- Soft and comfortable
- Premium quality and made to last
- Versatile
- Can be worn 8+ different ways
- Sustainability – They use the most natural and sustainable fabrics available and are a Certified B Corp and Oeko Tex 100 Certified
Cons
- Heavy Fabric
- Will Wrinkle
- Must be line dried and takes a while to dry, but I think the fabric has since changed
More Reviews and Compare Prices on Encircled.
Discontinued
A lot of my favorite dresses are discontinued. Did you have any of these?
More Travel Dresses – Honorable Mentions
- The Undress – the dress that lets you undress anywhere.
- Uniqlo A-line Mini Bra Dress – love when the bra is built in. So comfy.
- Toad & Co Camp-co Romper – as long as you don’t mind traveling in a romper. It feels like linen but has a cleaner footprint.
Essential Travel Tips for Packing Dresses
If you want to avoid wrinkles, use these packing tips:
- Don’t overpack.
- Lay the dress flat inside a plastic dry cleaning bag. Fold it in its natural shape.
- Pack them last or on top of everything else.
- Roll softer garments.
- Use a mini travel steamer.
- If your clothes are wrinkled, hang them in the bathroom while you take a steamy hot shower.
What do you think of these dresses? Which of them would you most likely wear? Have you tried any travel dresses (the ones are specifically made for travel)?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow along on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.