Packing for a trip can be stressful, especially when you want to look fashionable without overpacking. For women who love dresses, the challenge is real: dresses can be bulky and prone to wrinkles. But what if you could find dresses that are not only stylish and comfortable but also perfectly packable and wrinkle-resistant? We’ve done the research and rigorous testing to bring you the definitive guide to the best travel dresses for women. Say goodbye to suitcase chaos and hello to effortless travel style.
Our Top Travel Dress Picks
To help you navigate the world of travel dresses for women, we’ve curated a list of top picks, categorized to suit different needs and travel styles. Whether you’re seeking the best overall option or a dress for a specific occasion, we’ve got you covered.
Best Overall Travel Dress:
Beyond Yoga Featherweight At The Ready Square Neck Dress at Beyondyoga.com
Best Wrinkle-Resistant Travel Dress:
Royal Robbins Spotless Traveler Dress Short Sleeve at Amazon $110
Best Maxi Travel Dress:
Brochu Walker The Havana Dress at Brochuwalker.com
Best A-line Travel Dress:
Everlane The Supima Jersey Riviera Dress at Everlane $98
Best Wrap Travel Dress:
Foreign Fare Wrap Me Up Dress at Foreignfare.com
Best Sweater Travel Dress:
French Connection Babysoft Rib Button Front Long Sleeve Sweater Dress at Nordstrom $50
Best Flannel Travel Dress:
Blooming Jelly Womens Plaid Dresses Flannel Babydoll at Amazon $37
Best Athleisure Travel Dress:
lululemon Align Dress at Lululemon $148
Best Everyday Travel Dress:
SALE
Lands’ End Women’s Indigo Tencel Fiber Midi Dress at Amazon $100 $70
Best Business Casual Travel Dress:
M.M. LaFleur Cassandra Dress at Mmlafleur.com $145
Best Overall
Beyond Yoga Featherweight At The Ready Square Neck Dress
PHOTO: Beyond Yoga
Why We Love It: This Travel Dress For Women is incredibly soft, lightweight, and truly wrinkle-free, making it adaptable for various travel scenarios.
What to Consider: The straps aren’t adjustable, which might be a minor inconvenience for some.
Versatility is paramount when you’re packing light, and the Beyond Yoga Featherweight At The Ready Square Neck Dress excels in this area. Our testers wore this dress on long journeys, casual lunches, and busy days running errands, consistently feeling both comfortable and stylish. The fabric, a stretchy athleisure material, is wonderfully soft and breathable yet surprisingly durable. Its classic design is easily dressed up or down with accessories, and the practical addition of waist pockets is perfect for holding essentials like your phone.
Crucially, this travel dress for women lived up to its “packable” promise. It emerged from packing completely wrinkle-free and takes up minimal luggage space. The fit is true to size, offering a flattering form-fitting top with enough room for comfortable movement. While adjustable straps would have been ideal, this dress is a clear winner for both travel and everyday wear.
The Details: XS-XL | 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex | Pullover style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lexi Rosenberg
Best Wrinkle-resistant
Royal Robbins Spotless Traveler Dress Short Sleeve
PHOTO: Royal Robbins
$110 at Amazon View on Royalrobbins.com
Why We Love It: This wrinkle-free travel dress is quick-drying and features cleverly hidden pockets, ideal for active travel days.
What to Consider: The rolled sleeves can be a bit unruly, but they can also be worn unrolled.
The Royal Robbins Spotless Traveler Dress truly lives up to its name, designed specifically for travel. Its durable, wrinkle-resistant fabric remained smooth even when packed tightly in a backpack. This makes it an excellent choice for trips involving frequent outfit changes or activities where ironing isn’t an option. Testers found it perfect as a cover-up after watersports, noting its incredibly fast drying time after getting splashed. The dress offers a flattering, tailored fit thanks to the cinched waist ties, and boasts multiple pockets, including a concealed zip pocket and a small pocket for earbuds. While the rolled sleeves occasionally needed readjustment, the overall quality and practicality of this travel dress for women are outstanding.
The Details: XS-XL | 86% Polyester, 14% Elastane | Button front/Pullover style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland
Best Maxi
Brochu Walker The Havana Dress
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PHOTO: Brochu Walker
View on Brochuwalker.com $348 at Revolve
Why We Love It: The maxi length of this travel dress for women makes it suitable for both daytime exploring and evening dinners, offering exceptional versatility.
What to Consider: Due to its relaxed, flowy fit, sizing down is recommended for some.
For a blend of style and comfort, the Brochu Walker Havana Dress is a standout choice, available in a wide array of colors. Despite being made from a cotton-polyester blend, this maxi dress proved to be surprisingly packable, resisting wrinkles even when folded in a backpack.
While minor creasing occurred during travel, the fabric naturally relaxed, and the ruffle details effectively concealed any wrinkles, eliminating the need for steaming. This maxi travel dress transitions seamlessly from casual daytime outings to more formal evening events. Its flowy, lightweight design is perfect for warm climates, though those between sizes should consider ordering down for the best fit.
The Details: XS-XL | 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton | Button front
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp
Best A-line
Everlane The Supima Jersey Riviera Dress
PHOTO: Everlane
Why We Love It: This ultralightweight travel dress features a classic A-line shape that is universally flattering.
What to Consider: Lighter colors may show wrinkles more easily in the skirt portion.
While not entirely wrinkle-free, the Everlane Supima Jersey Riviera Dress is a favorite for its breezy style and travel-friendly nature. Its versatility and excellent value, especially considering its sustainable production, make it a top contender for travel dresses for women. The design combines a stretchy, form-fitting bodice with a flared A-line skirt, creating a flattering silhouette for all body types. Although the skirt can wrinkle, choosing darker colors like black can effectively minimize the appearance of creases. Plus, a much-appreciated feature: it has pockets!
Our testing editor found it comfortable and adaptable for diverse activities, from active sightseeing in hot weather to indoor events. Its ability to be easily dressed up or down makes it a valuable addition to a travel wardrobe, allowing for multiple wears without feeling repetitive.
The Details: XXS-XXL | Bodice: 92% Supima Cotton, 8% Elastane; Skirt: 100% Supima Cotton | Pullover style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco
Best Wrap Dress
Foreign Fare Wrap Me Up Dress
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PHOTO: Foreign Fare
Why We Love It: The wrap design of this travel dress for women is incredibly comfortable and adjustable, featuring discreet, deep pockets.
What to Consider: While marketed as wrinkle-resistant, some wrinkling may occur, and the tie can have excess fabric.
Like the Royal Robbins dress, the Foreign Fare Wrap Me Up Dress is designed with travel in mind, incorporating practical and stylish elements such as a hidden zip pocket and spacious side pockets. The deep, functional pockets are a standout feature, allowing you to forgo a handbag entirely. Despite being advertised as wrinkle-resistant, some wrinkles were noted both initially and after wear, though they didn’t detract significantly from the dress’s appeal. The classic wrap style is versatile enough for office wear or evening outings, and the substantial fabric feels both soft and durable. The adjustable wrap closure accommodates different body types comfortably without feeling restrictive. Sizing down is recommended due to the generous fabric in the tie.
The Details: XS-XXL | 85% Tencel, 15% Polyester | Wrap closure
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Stella Yu
Best Sweater Dress
French Connection Babysoft Rib Button Front Long Sleeve Sweater Dress
PHOTO: Nordstrom
$50 at Nordstrom View on Lyst.com $128 $77 at Macy’s
Why We Love It: This soft sweater travel dress is warm, comfortable, and incredibly versatile, doubling as a cardigan.
What to Consider: Fits true to size, but sizing up may be preferred for extra length.
Wrinkles are never a concern with the French Connection Babysoft Rib Button Front Long Sleeve Sweater Dress. The chunky knit material ensures it remains wrinkle-free, even when pulled straight from luggage. Perfect for colder destinations or air-conditioned environments, testers found it cozy and comfortable right out of a duffel bag. The button-down front adds to its versatility; it can be worn as a dress, a cardigan, or even as a tunic top over leggings. While tonal buttons would enhance its overall versatility, this minor point doesn’t detract from its travel-friendly features. Despite the thick knit, it’s not heavy and remains comfortable for all-day wear and long travel days.
The Details: XS-XL | 63% Polyester, 25% Nylon, 7% Wool, 5% Elastane | Button front
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lisa Pezzuto
Best Flannel
Blooming Jelly Womens Plaid Dresses Flannel Babydoll
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: This affordable travel dress is a budget-friendly option for a long-sleeve style.
What to Consider: The thin polyester material can be slightly sheer and a bit scratchy to some.
For those preferring a long-sleeve travel dress for women, the Blooming Jelly Flannel Babydoll Dress from Amazon is a great value. More lightweight than a sweater dress, it’s surprisingly airy for flannel, though it can appear somewhat sheer in certain lighting, suggesting the need for a slip underneath. While soft, the material was noted as slightly scratchy by some testers, though not enough to deter them from regular wear. The flowy fit is true to size, and the waist tie can be adjusted at the front or back for different looks. It can also be worn open as a layering piece over other outfits. Overall, its affordability and versatility make it a worthwhile purchase.
The Details: S-XL | Polyester | Button front
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald
Best Athleisure
lululemon Align Dress
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PHOTO: lululemon
$148 at Lululemon View on Onepeloton.com
Why We Love It: This sweat-wicking athleisure travel dress is both stylish and exceptionally comfortable for active days.
What to Consider: The top may be snug for those with larger than a C cup size.
Consistent with the popular Lululemon Align collection, this dress offers both comfort and style. Ideal for various activities from lounging at home to errands and even fairs, it remains wrinkle-free thanks to its stretchy activewear fabric. It packs down small, fitting easily into different bags, and the sweat-wicking material keeps you cool. Built-in shorts, detached at the back, are intended for convenience but were found slightly cumbersome by some testers. While the fitted top is supportive without a bra, it may feel restrictive for those with larger busts. Recommended for its ease and comfort in warmer climates, the fit is true to size according to Lululemon’s chart.
The Details: 0-20 | Nylon, Elastane, Polyester | Pull-on style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald
Best Everyday
Lands’ End Women’s Indigo Tencel Fiber Midi Dress
PHOTO: Lands’ End
$100 $70 at Amazon $72 at Landsend.com
Why We Love It: This comfortable travel dress features eco-friendly Tencel material and practical deep pockets.
What to Consider: Runs slightly large and may require initial steaming upon arrival.
The Lands’ End Indigo Tencel Fiber Midi Dress, made from eco-conscious Tencel, is a comfortable and lightweight choice that pairs well with various footwear, making it a versatile travel dress for women. Its shirtdress style is suitable for both daytime activities and evening dinners. While initial wrinkles may require a quick steam or dryer session upon arrival, it mostly resists wrinkling after packing. Sizing runs a bit large, so consider ordering down for the best fit. Side slits enhance mobility, and short sleeves provide shoulder coverage. Available in multiple colors, including indigo, green, and brown.
The Details: XS-XL | 100% Tencel Lyocell | Button front
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Melanie Stoltenberg
Best Business Casual
M.M. LaFleur Cassandra Dress
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PHOTO: M.M. LaFleur
Why We Love It: The midi-length style of this business casual travel dress is perfect for transitioning from daytime meetings to evening events.
What to Consider: Linen fabric is prone to wrinkles, especially after sitting for extended periods.
While linen is known for wrinkling, the M.M. LaFleur Cassandra Dress is relatively travel-friendly for a linen option. Minor wrinkles from packing can be easily steamed out, such as by hanging it in a steamy shower. However, linen’s nature means it will wrinkle around the hip area after sitting. The midi length is versatile, suitable for various settings from office environments to museums and dinners. The fit is true to size, offering a flattering silhouette that’s neither too clingy nor too loose, making it a reliable choice for professional travel.
The Details: 00-20 | 55% Linen, 41% Lyocell, 4% Elastane | Button front
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox
Best Utility Dress
Tuckernuck Lightweight Poplin Nala Dress
PHOTO: Tuckernuck
Why We Love It: This ultralightweight travel dress is breathable and exceptionally comfortable, perfect for warm climates.
What to Consider: Requires ironing due to wrinkling out of the box, and pocket size is limited.
Despite being 100% cotton, the Tuckernuck Lightweight Poplin Nala Dress has a water-resistant-like texture and quick-drying capability. While initial ironing is needed to address wrinkles upon arrival, its key travel benefit is its incredibly lightweight feel, ideal for hot weather. It folds compactly, saving luggage space. The utility style features four pockets, though their functionality is limited to small, light items like cards or lip balm, as phones may slip out. The boxy cut provides freedom of movement, suitable for casual outings and errands. The fit is true to size, but the length might be short for some when bending over.
The Details: 2XS-4XL | 100% Cotton | Button front
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Best Size-inclusive
Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress
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PHOTO: Hill House
View on Hillhousehome.com $150 at Saks Fifth Avenue $150 at Shopbop.com
Why We Love It: Comfortable, easy-care, and available in a wide range of sizes and colors, making it a truly size-inclusive travel dress.
What to Consider: The ruffle straps may not lay perfectly flat under the arms for everyone.
The Hill House Home Ellie Nap Dress, known for its internet fame, is now celebrated for its travel-friendliness, comfort, and extensive size range. Testers were impressed by its wrinkle resistance after packing; creases disappeared overnight when hung. This versatile travel dress for women is suitable for lounging, casual outings, and even semi-formal events. Easy to care for with machine washability, its quality justifies the price, especially given the temptation to own it in multiple of its 22 color options.
The Details: 3XS-4XL | 100% Cotton | Pullover style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Heer Chaudri
Best Value
Anrabess Short Sleeve Maxi Dress
PHOTO: Amazon
$35 $30 at Amazon View on Shopanrabess.com
Why We Love It: This budget-friendly travel dress offers a loose, flowy fit and comes in over 40 colors.
What to Consider: May wrinkle slightly when packed, but wrinkles tend to release easily.
The Anrabess Short Sleeve Maxi Dress is an excellent, affordable option for a versatile travel dress for women. Lightweight yet not flimsy, it offers a loose, airy fit without being see-through. While some wrinkles may appear after packing, they dissipate with wear or hanging. Its compact packability makes it a great backup dress or spare outfit. The maxi length on a 5’4” tester may be midi length for taller individuals, but it remains stylish either way. With an impressive range of over 40 colors, there’s an option for every preference.
The Details: S-XXL | 35% Rayon, 60% Polyester, 5% Spandex | Pullover style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alicia Dolieslager
Best With Shorts
Halara Breezeful Flowy Dress
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PHOTO: Halara
Why We Love It: This breezy travel dress includes optional shorts and offers a good fit with adjustable straps.
What to Consider: The material’s texture is similar to swimwear and may wrinkle easily.
The Halara Breezeful Flowy Dress addresses concerns about short dress exposure by including matching shorts for optional wear underneath. Ideal for active travel, it fits well in the chest and features a flowy, asymmetrical skirt for easy movement. Despite its airy appearance, the fabric is substantial, feeling durable and high-quality, though its texture resembles swimwear and is prone to wrinkling. Despite the material feel and wrinkling, it remains a comfortable and worthwhile option for warm weather travel.
The Details: XS-3X | 85% Polyester, 15% Elastane | Pull-on style | Adjustable straps
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Hillary Maglin
Best Fitted
Vuori Pose Sands Dress
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PHOTO: Vuori
Why We Love It: This fitted travel dress is comfortable and flattering, hugging the body in all the right places.
What to Consider: Prone to wrinkles after packing, requiring steaming or ironing before wear.
The Vuori Pose Sands Dress offers a fitted silhouette that’s more versatile than typical athleisure wear, suitable for dressier occasions (though the logo may limit its formality). It’s praised for its flattering fit, hugging curves without feeling too tight, and its comfortable, workout-style material. While it packs down small, it tends to wrinkle significantly and needs steaming or ironing before wearing straight from luggage. Despite the wrinkle issue, its quality and versatile style make it a worthwhile travel investment.
The Details: XXS-XXL | 87% Modal Rayon, 13% Elastane | Pullover style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Sarah Barber
Most Versatile
Spanx AirEssentials Tie-waist Tank Dress
PHOTO: Spanx
$138 $39 at Spanx $83 at Bloomingdales
Why We Love It: This versatile travel dress combines the sophistication of business casual attire with the comfort of loungewear.
What to Consider: The midi length might be a bit long for petite individuals.
The Spanx AirEssentials Tie-waist Tank Dress is praised for its office-appropriate appearance and loungewear-like comfort. Testers wore it to work and social events, receiving compliments throughout the day. It packs well, resisting wrinkles even when rolled loosely in a tote. Minor creases are easily steamed out. The fit is true to size, though the midi length may be long for shorter women (hemming is an option). Currently on sale, it offers exceptional value for its versatility and comfort as a travel dress for women.
The Details: XS-3X | Modal, Polyester, Elastane | Pullover style
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Elise Wang
Our Testing Process
To identify the best travel dresses for women, we conducted real-world tests on each of our top selections, appreciating each for unique reasons. For two weeks, each dress was worn for at least two full days, with evaluations based on fit, comfort, breathability, design features, movement range, and versatility. We packed the dresses in various bags—purses, totes, backpacks, and suitcases—and assessed their wrinkle resistance after overnight packing and ease of wrinkle removal. Our testing continues over six months to ensure long-term durability and comfort.
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Travel + Leisure
Tips for Buying a Packable Dress
Prioritize Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics
Choosing wrinkle-resistant fabrics is crucial for maintaining a polished look while traveling. Materials like activewear fabrics and those with high stretch (nylon, elastane, jersey) retain shape well when folded. While cotton can wrinkle, thicker weaves or blends can offer reasonable wrinkle resistance. Linen, though lightweight and desirable for travel, is generally prone to wrinkling.
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Consider Your Travel Plans
The ideal travel dress for women varies with your itinerary. For business trips, prioritize professional styles; for adventurous travels, consider features like breathability and built-in shorts. Think about activities and destination climate when selecting your travel dress. For hot weather and outdoor activities, breathable, quick-dry fabrics are best. For sightseeing involving religious sites, ensure dresses offer adequate coverage.
Look for Travel-Friendly Features
Features like pockets, four-way stretch, sweat-wicking or quick-drying fabrics, stain resistance, and adjustable elements enhance a travel dress for women‘s practicality. Functional pockets are invaluable for carrying essentials. Prioritize dresses with features that match your travel needs by checking product details before purchasing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you fold a dress for travel?
Minimize wrinkles by folding dress sides inward, then folding in half or rolling from the bottom. Use packing cubes to secure it, garment bags for hanging, or tissue paper when folding. Place dresses on top of heavier items in your suitcase. - What is the comfiest style of dress?
Comfort is subjective. Some prefer compression from active dresses, others flowy skirts or oversized fits. Breathable, soft materials enhance comfort regardless of style. Always consult size charts for the best fit, as proper sizing is key to comfort.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Ashley Phillips, a seasoned fashion writer and editor with over 10 years of experience and a frequent traveler, contributed to this article. Ashley collaborated with Travel + Leisure editors to compile and test the best packable dresses for real-world travel scenarios.
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Edited by Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a testing editor at Travel + Leisure, overseeing product testing and writing/editing travel product reviews based on thorough testing. Her background includes travel agency experience, a journalism degree, and over eight years in product and gift guide coverage, with over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends.
