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25 Comfortable Travel Dresses That Are Totally Packable

You’ll look stylish en route and upon arrival.

By Paula Lee
comfortable travel dresses

No matter what time of the year it is, there's always time to daydream about your next vacation. Maybe you have your sights set on planning a girls' weekend?? Or perhaps a much-needed escape with the kids or a beach stay to get some peace and quiet with your significant other.

Whatever you're thinking, warm weather destinations call for a few staples: a swimsuit, a cover-up, flip flops, and sunglasses top the list. Another nice-to-have? Travel dresses are versatile pieces of clothing that instantly complete your getaway capsule. They're comfortable, multifunctional, one-and-done travel dresses that will withstand long days of adventuring.

Our Top Picks:

  • 1
    Midi A-Line Dress

    Best A-Line Dress

    Amazon Essentials Midi A-Line Dress

    $19 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    Gauze Vacation Shirtdress

    Best Short-Sleeved Dress

    Caslon Gauze Vacation Shirtdress

    Read more
  • 3
    Tie Waist Midi T-Shirt Dress

    Best Cotton Dress

    Jones New York Tie Waist Midi T-Shirt Dress

    Read more
  • 4
    Crewneck Tunic Dress with Pockets

    Best Dress With Pockets

    Berydress Crewneck Tunic Dress with Pockets

    Read more
  • 5
    Freezer Maxi Dress

    Best for Hot Weather

    Columbia Freezer Maxi Dress

    Read more

The most packable styles are those that are made of wrinkle-resistant fabrics, but you'll also want to keep an eye out for breathable materials that keep you cool when you’re on the go. Relaxed fits and modest silhouettes are easy to wear on the plane (anyone else like to curl up in their seat and binge on mini pretzels?), while versatile T-shirt styles and flowy maxis are road-trip-ready. And how can we forget pockets?! Never more convenient, they’re perfect to hold your ticket to the museum, stash your sunglasses, or even carry some hand sanitizer. When you're exploring on your feet all day, pair your dress with casual sneakers before swapping them with walkable wedges for a night out—consider your packing woes solved.

To bid you bon voyage, we found the most comfortable travel dresses that will get you jet-set prepped in no time.

1
Best A-Line Dress

Amazon Essentials Midi A-Line Dress

Midi A-Line Dress
1
Best A-Line Dress

Amazon Essentials Midi A-Line Dress

Now 35% Off
$19 at Amazon

From sightseeing to supper, this sunny travel-ready dress will keep you comfortable.

2
Best Short-Sleeved Dress

Caslon Gauze Vacation Shirtdress

Gauze Vacation Shirtdress
2
Best Short-Sleeved Dress

Caslon Gauze Vacation Shirtdress

Now 30% Off
Credit: Nordstrom

It's called the "vacation shirtdress" for a reason. The easy, breezy style is easy to throw on, is comfortable to wear for hours on end, and looks great in pictures, to boot.

3
Best Cotton Dress

Jones New York Tie Waist Midi T-Shirt Dress

Tie Waist Midi T-Shirt Dress
3
Best Cotton Dress

Jones New York Tie Waist Midi T-Shirt Dress

Credit: Nordstrom

Upgrade your usual T-shirt dress with this cotton number. The tie at the torso cinches the waist to help give the look more shape.

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4
Best Dress With Pockets

Berydress Crewneck Tunic Dress with Pockets

Crewneck Tunic Dress with Pockets
4
Best Dress With Pockets

Berydress Crewneck Tunic Dress with Pockets

Now 33% Off
Credit: Amazon

A dropped ruffled hem makes this cotton dress feel special. Did we mention it has pockets?

5
Best for Hot Weather

Columbia Freezer Maxi Dress

Freezer Maxi Dress
5
Best for Hot Weather

Columbia Freezer Maxi Dress

Now 50% Off
Credit: Amazon

Venturing to a hot and humid destination? You'll want this tank dress with cooling properties, anti-sweat technology, and UPF protection.

6
Best Shirtdress

Sopliagon Cotton and Linen Shirt Dress

Cotton and Linen Shirt Dress
6
Best Shirtdress

Sopliagon Cotton and Linen Shirt Dress

Credit: Amazon

Nail casual cool in this comfy long-sleeved shirtdress, which also works equally well over a swimsuit.

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7
Best Midi Dress

madewell Lucie Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress

Lucie Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress
7
Best Midi Dress

madewell Lucie Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress

Credit: Madewell

Made with airy lightweight cotton, this easy breezy midi has us dreaming of summer road trips, windows down, and hair blowing in the wind.

8
Best for Sightseeing

Lands' End Women's Cotton Modal Square-Neck Tiered Maxi Dress

Women's Cotton Modal Square-Neck Tiered Maxi Dress
8
Best for Sightseeing

Lands' End Women's Cotton Modal Square-Neck Tiered Maxi Dress

Credit: Lands' End

Throw on this tiered jersey dress when your plans involve a lot of foodie escapades (offered in petite and plus-sizing as well). Toss on a denim jacket for chilly nights.

9
Best for Layering

J.Crew Gwyneth Cupro Slip Dress

Gwyneth Cupro Slip Dress
9
Best for Layering

J.Crew Gwyneth Cupro Slip Dress

Credit: J.Crew

A slinky slip dress won't take up any room in your luggage, but you'll be glad you packed it for any impromptu nights out. This one's just as soft as silk, but machine-washable, too.

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10
Best Casual Dress

REI Co-op Sahara Dress

Co-op Sahara Dress
10
Best Casual Dress

REI Co-op Sahara Dress

Credit: REI

Utility pockets give this cotton twill dress a distinct safari-meets-camp vibe.

11
Best Wrinkle-Resistant Dress

Rec Room Tie Dress

Tie Dress
11
Best Wrinkle-Resistant Dress

Rec Room Tie Dress

Let us count the reasons we love this design: It's stretchy, soft, wrinkle-resistant, has pockets, and comes in four colors!

12
Best Maxi Dress

Lulus Exquisite Attention Floral Long-Sleeved Maxi Dress

Exquisite Attention Floral Long-Sleeved Maxi Dress
12
Best Maxi Dress

Lulus Exquisite Attention Floral Long-Sleeved Maxi Dress

Now 30% Off
Credit: Nordstrom

You'll be in out-of-office mode stat in this printed wrap maxi dress. And it looks just as dazzling at a vineyard lunch as it does at a sunset dinner.

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13
Best Pullover Dress

Anthropologie Daily Practice by Anthropologie Solid Dress

Daily Practice by Anthropologie Solid Dress
13
Best Pullover Dress

Anthropologie Daily Practice by Anthropologie Solid Dress

Credit: Anthropologie

Ideal for both beach breaks and lounging at home, this cotton pullover will definitely become a go-to.

14

Daily Ritual Supersoft Terry Short-Sleeved Crewneck Tie-Front Midi Dress

Supersoft Terry Short-Sleeved Crewneck Tie-Front Midi Dress
14

Daily Ritual Supersoft Terry Short-Sleeved Crewneck Tie-Front Midi Dress

Credit: Amazon

You won't be able to resist the super-soft terry fabric of this short-sleeved tee dress.

15
Best Stretchy Dress

M.M.LaFleur The Emily Dress

The Emily Dress
15
Best Stretchy Dress

M.M.LaFleur The Emily Dress

Credit: M.M.LAFLEUR

If you travel for work, this tailored A-line dress was designed with you in mind. The stretch fabric won't wrinkle in your carry-on and it's machine-washable.

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16
Best Button-Up Dress

O'Neill Reid Light Blue Multi-Stripe Button-Up Midi Dress

Reid Light Blue Multi-Stripe Button-Up Midi Dress
16
Best Button-Up Dress

O'Neill Reid Light Blue Multi-Stripe Button-Up Midi Dress

Credit: Lulus

Stripes are a summer staple and this lightweight button-up dress is sure to get tons of playtime.

17
Best Comfortable Dress

lululemon Pima Cotton Open-Back Midi Dress

Pima Cotton Open-Back Midi Dress
17
Best Comfortable Dress

lululemon Pima Cotton Open-Back Midi Dress

Credit: lululemon

The open back allows you to effortlessly go from day to night in this loose, multipurpose black maxi dress.

18
Best Wrap Dress

Billabong Wrap-Front Midi Length Dress

Wrap-Front Midi Length Dress
18
Best Wrap Dress

Billabong Wrap-Front Midi Length Dress

Credit: Zappos

With a printed crinkly fabric, this wrap dress is meant to be packable.

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19
Best Flowy Dress

Athleta Presidio Dress

Presidio Dress
19
Best Flowy Dress

Athleta Presidio Dress

Roll up this high-low hem maxi and toss it in your bag—it's wrinkle-proof so you don't have to figure out the hotel ironing board.

20
Best Smocked Dress

beachlunchlounge Elisa Smocked Maxi Dress

Elisa Smocked Maxi Dress
20
Best Smocked Dress

beachlunchlounge Elisa Smocked Maxi Dress

Now 40% Off
Credit: Nordstrom

Beat the heat in this free-flowing smocked sundress.

Lettermark
Paula Lee
Freelance Fashion Editor

Paula Lee is a freelance Fashion Editor. Off duty, she can be found day-tripping around the tri-state area, hanging around farm animals, or browsing the library stacks.

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