TripSavvy Trip Planning The 10 Best Travel Dresses of 2022 The AUSELILY Long Sleeve Casual Flare Dress is versatile and comfortable By Jordi Lippe-McGraw Jordi Lippe-McGraw Instagram Boston University Jordi is a freelance contributor to TripSavvy. Her personal passions gravitate toward wellness and adventure, leading her to frequently plan trips that blend zen relaxation with urban and rugged exploration. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/03/22 Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. TripSavvy's Pick The AUSELILY Women's Long Sleeve Casual Flare Dress is light and flowy, with two deep pockets and a flattering fit you can sport on the train and then out to dinner. For a budget-friendly option that keeps you cool, reach for the Columbia Women's Freezer III Dress. When it comes to choosing the perfect travel dress, a few key things are important. Comfort is essential, of course—whether you’re boarding a 12-hour flight to Buenos Aires or taking a two-hour train ride to Chicago, transit probably isn’t the time to bust out a form-fitting bodysuit or complicated romper situation. Flowy, breathable, lightweight fabrics are essential. However, that doesn’t mean you have to trade style for a potato sack-like dress or sweatpants. Travel dresses should be comfortable, stylish, and versatile enough to wear for any occasion. Look and feel your best when you arrive at your destination wearing any of the A-list dresses we’ve selected here. The type of fabric you want will depend on your destination, polyester wicks moisture and acrylic keeps you warm. And machine washable fabrics always make the trip home that much easier. Lastly, consider the fit. A snug elastane option is comfortable to move in and transitions well to dressed-up affairs. On the other hand, if you have a long journey that ends in the locally-owned B&B, a flowy pick is the way to go. Read on for the best travel dresses available. The Rundown Best Overall: AUSELILY Women's Long Sleeve Casual Flare Dress at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Columbia Freezer III Dress at Amazon Jump to Review Best Plus-Size: Modern Kiwi Women's Plus Size Midi Maxi Dress at Amazon Jump to Review Best Wrap: EXLURA Women's Knit Sweater Dress at Amazon Jump to Review Best Maxi: MakeMeChic Women's Boho Maxi Tie Dye Long Dress at Amazon Jump to Review Best Denim: J. Crew Classic-Fit Chambray Shirtdress at Jcrew.com Jump to Review Most Breathable: Sweaty Betty Explorer Ace Midi Dress at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Print: Lark & Ro Women's Lightweight Kimono at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Cold Weather: Charles Henry Long Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater Dress at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Tropical: REI Co-op Aoraki Travel Dress at REI Jump to Review Best Overall: AUSELILY Women's Long Sleeve Casual Flare Dress 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon Pockets are essential when traveling: Those hotel keys, money, cell phones, etc., all need a home. Luckily, Auselily created a dress that's not only sleek and comfy but also adorned with super functional pockets. There are two large ones on either side, perfect for a phone. The lightweight material feels like pajamas, yet the sleek design makes it ideal for a day (or night) out. Bonus: It comes in 33 different color and pattern options. This dress stands out for its comfort, stretch, and softness. One thing to note: it is hand wash only, but dries quickly. Price at time of publish: $34 Material: Rayon and spandex | Sizes: XS to XXL Best Budget: Columbia Women's Freezer III Dress REI View On Amazon View On Zappos Not all little black dresses have to come with a price tag. Columbia's dress is a classic LBD with many extras. For example, the fabric is moisture-wicking, keeping you comfortable on the go while also providing UPF 30 sun protection. And since it's a sporting wear brand, the dress is also stretchy to allow for a wide range of motion. Best of all, you won't have to shell out a ton of cash. Price at time of publish: $60 Material: Polyester and elastane jersey | Sizes: XS to 3X Best Plus-Size: Modern Kiwi Women's Plus Size Midi Maxi Dress Amazon View On Amazon This comfortable, flowy frock can work in fancier situations thanks to its fashionable A-line cut and classic crew neck design. You won't have to sacrifice comfort for style since the soft rayon fabric has a comfortable, t-shirt-like feel. Throw on a jacket, and it's perfect for fall, or simply wear as-is during the warmer months. And did we mention the easy-access pockets? They're ideal for stashing those small travel necessities. Price at time of publish: $33 Material: Rayon | Sizes: 1X to 5X Best Wrap: EXLURA Women's Knit Sweater Dress Amazon View On Amazon This luxe wrap dress looks like it came right off the runway, but it's also perfect for leaving the airport runway and heading out on the town. Details include a unique silhouette that's structured yet flowy, allowing for supreme comfort. Long sleeves and a calf-length hem make it a versatile piece; meanwhile, the classic wrap functionality enables you to adjust the styling for a looser look and feel when traveling or a sleeker look when you want it. And it's made from a comfortable, thin-knit fabric that's cozy without being bulky. Price at time of publish: $47 Material: Acrylic and nylon | Sizes: XS to XXL The 10 Best Winter Jackets of 2022 Best Maxi: MakeMeChic Women's Boho Maxi Tie Dye Long Dress Amazon View On Amazon Maxi dresses work for pretty much every scenario, especially when traveling. They're super comfortable, generally flattering, and generous on coverage. MakeMeChic's boho-style maxi features loose short sleeves, a v-neck, and two side pockets, all made from a soft and stretchy fabric. Pair it with a denim jacket or cardigan if it's chilly, or accessorize with a belt for an added personal touch. Plus, you can choose the pattern that best suits your personality, as over 42 different options range from a rainbow color scheme to a solid grey. Price at time of publish: $29 Material: Rayon and spandex | Sizes: XS to XL Best Denim: J. Crew Classic-Fit Chambray Shirtdress J. Crew View On Jcrew.com Chambray is always in style, making this shirt dress the perfect staple in any travel wardrobe. According to the brand, they spent months to get the right silhouette and fit to come up with the ultimate everyday dress. The result is a dress that's not too loose or tight and comes with a removable sash to personalize the waistline. Wear it straight up without any accessories for a more casual look, tied to the side for a more elegant feel, or open over a t-shirt and jeans for a trendier vibe. There's no way to go wrong. One reviewer said, "It's incredibly comfortable, the perfect wash of color, and a great length." Material: Cotton | Sizes: 0 to 24 Most Breathable: Sweaty Betty Explorer Ace Midi Dress Bloomingdales View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Sweatybetty.com Sweaty Betty is known for making top-notch athletic gear. So, if they make a dress, you know it's bound to be one designed for being on the move. The round-neck midi is made from a super lightweight material that won't cause you to overheat when exploring a new city or rushing through the airport. Meanwhile, the high-low hem adds more mobility. But, even though it has the benefits of workout clothes, the dress works in various non-gym situations. Available in black, it can easily be paired with a pair of sneakers, heels, or sandals for a stylish outfit with zero effort. Price at time of publish: $118 for black Material: Polyamide and elastane | Sizes: XXS to XXL The 11 Best Women’s Travel Pants of 2022 Best Print: Lark & Ro Women's Lightweight Kimono Amazon View On Amazon Kimono-sleeved, smocked waist dresses are figure-flattering and versatile; all you have to do is choose a pattern you love. Lark & Ro offers six fun prints in the same style that features a v-neckline and full, flowy sleeves. Transition from the airport to a day in the city without changing: Just pop on heels to dress up or pair the dress with flats for a more casual look. Comfort is always key, of course, and this fabric is slinky and stretchy, while the upper back and chest are lined. Oh, and the sleek pockets are perfect for holding on to keys, a phone, or cash while out and about. What's not to love? Price at time of publish: $33 Material: Polyester and elastane | Sizes: 0 to 12 Best for Cold Weather: Charles Henry Long Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater Dress Nordstrom View On Nordstrom A sweater dress is a great option if you want to look extra chic during winter travel. The turtleneck, long sleeves, and rib-knit fabric from this Charles Henry piece make for a cozy style that can be dressed up with a pair of booties or down with some sneakers. And you'll stay warm and comfy—the sweater dress is essentially a soft blanket that covers you from neck to ankle. The dress's balance between fitted and flowy gives you the freedom to move about easily yet still look polished for a night out or an important work meeting. Material: Acrylic | Sizes: XS to XXL The 8 Best Swimsuit Cover-Ups of 2022 Best Tropical: REI Co-op Aoraki Travel Dress REI View On REI Heading to a beachy locale? Lucky you! But just be sure to pack the REI Co-op Aoraki Travel Dress. It's ideal for warm days along the shoreline since it has UPF 50 sun protection and water-repellent fabric. And the outdoorsy brand made sure this dress was made from four-way stretch fabric so you can be comfortable even when active. Material: Polyester and spandex | Sizes: XS-XL What to Look for in Travel Dresses Material The type of fabric used in travel dresses can vary. Polyester is more moisture-whisking than cotton, while acrylic will keep you warmer. For a super soft feel, rayon is incredibly comfortable and good in hot and cold weather. Spandex (aka elastane) will provide more stretch, which is excellent for flexible movement while traveling. Your destination of choice will help decide which of the above is best for your travels. Going long haul? You'll want something soft and stretchy. Need to be ready for a more elegant affair? Rayon and acrylic might be better choices. Fit No one likes feeling uncomfortable when traveling, so prioritize choosing a dress that isn't tight. When pure comfort is on the brain, a flowy style is probably the best bet. But if being somewhere upscale is on the agenda and you want a snugger fit, opt for a dress with stretchy fabrics like spandex or rayon. Ease of Care After a trip, the last thing you want to do is go to the dry cleaner. So, a machine washable material will make coming back from vacation easier. But, of course, wrinkles are never fun if you need to be out and about or at a meeting. That's why opting for a fabric resistant to wrinkles will prevent extra time ironing in a hotel room. Why Trust TripSavvy Author Jordi Lippe-McGraw has researched and written about travel and lifestyle products for nearly a decade. When making this list, she researched dozens of products, looking at key specs like material, fit, and ease of care, plus the number of positive and negative reviews. The 11 Best Women’s Travel Pants of 2022 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 10 below. Continue to 9 of 10 below.