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When you’re visiting a hot weather location, there’s nothing better than wearing a dress. It’s less constricting than pants and more comfortable than shorts. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of what our readers rank as the best dress for hot weather travels. Find out which dresses made the list and add them to your wardrobe for your next trip.
Best Dress for Hot Weather Travels
Table Of Contents
Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:
I’m looking for the perfect warm/hot weather travel dress. Roughly knee length, wrinkle resistant, not tight, not sleeveless, versatile. Who has a favorite?
Dresses are a travel essential when you’re visiting a hot weather location. But dresses can also be one of the more challenging fashion essentials to find. Certain materials wrinkle too easily, while others are stiff or too hot.
Luckily, our readers are sharing their top picks for the best dress for hot weather travels.
Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress
The Best Plus Size Summer Dress
Our readers love Anthropologie for the best plus size dresses that are always so comfy, flattering, and cute – like this airy maxi dress in sizes 1X-3X and also on regular sizes XXS-XL and petite sizes XXS-XL! This dress is made from soft and light cotton, crafted to accentuate your waist with perfectly placed smocking, this maxi dress offers a flattering fit for all body types, ensuring confidence and comfort. Its flowing design evokes the freshness of spring blossoms while its attention to detail ensures a refined and timeless appeal, making it an essential addition to any wardrobe seeking both style and versatility.
Anthropologie consistently makes quality and stylish dresses that are available in plus sizes! Their dresses are perfect for travel, too, so it’s no wonder readers look to them for new wardrobe finds! One reader says, “Anthro clearly knows this is everyone’s favorite. As a plus size gal, I appreciate n option that is cute, flattering, and super comfy, that also has a true short sleeve (I’m not a fan of cap sleeves). I wear my couple of Somerset dresses every week all summer. They are very cool and comfortable for the warm weather. The one improvement I’d like to see Anthro make would be an improvement on the hook and eye closures. As someone with a large bust, I have to add snaps or sew it shut.”
Dresses are the perfect staple to add to your functional travel capsule wardrobe. Learn more in my guide!
J Crew Capitaine Linen Shirtdress
The Best Summer Dress for Every Size and Height
Whether you’re tall, petite, or plus size, there’s nothing better than having options designed just for you!
This relaxed-fit linen dress from J. Crew is not only super chic, with a classic shirt-dress style, but is also available in tall (XS-XL), petite (XXS-L), and standard/ plus sizes (XXS-3X)! The loose fit gives it a laid-back feel, while the airy linen fabric looks polished and will keep you cool.
Several readers love this dress, with one saying, “Perfect dress for summer! This is a staple in Texas weather. It can be dressed up for work / casual days. Excellent quality linen.”
J.Crew dresses are highly popular with readers for summer travel, check all of them out here!
Pact Coastal Double Gauze Cutout Midi Dress
The Best Sustainable Summer Dress
If you love to shop sustainably, our readers have a great recommendation for you! This Pact Coastal midi dress is made of organic cotton, so it’s breathable, light, and easy to wash. This dress is absolutely perfect for hot destinations, and the pretty, cut out-style makes it versatile, it also has hidden pockets too!
Pact is one of the newest most popular brands for travel among TFGs! One wearer says, “Perfect dress! Flattering and the fit is accurate.” Grab this in sizes XS-3XL and several other gorgeous colors!
The Most Versatile Summer Dress
The Gevomir printed halter dress has been one of my unexpected travel wardrobe wins during my month-long trip to Europe, where I hit cities like Greece, Italy, and Croatia!
Incredibly versatile, it worked perfectly in every single European destination I traveled to, and looked cute with casual sneakers for sightseeing, wedges for dinner, or slides for just about everything! On top of that, it’s airy and comfortable, too, even in super hot temps. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant, so I was able to wear it repeatedly without washing.
It comes in sizes S-XL, One reviewer also loves this dress and says, “Great summer dress. I love the fit and color.”
Spanx AirEssentials Tie-Waist Tank Dress
The Best Classic Summer Dress
The Spanx AirEssentials tank dress has a straightforward, classic style that makes it an ideal go-to travel dress. This sleeveless midi dress features a tie-waist belt that defines your silhouette, low-profile front pockets and high side slits for easy movement. In exceptionally soft AirEssentials fabric that’s breathable and ultra-drapey.
Readers love this brand for their timeless and comfortable pieces, and recommend them for travel! One reader shares, “I love the look and feel of the dress! The tie waistband is flattering for people like me who have large waists, Fabric is great for traveling”
You can get this beauty in sizes XS-3XL and a couple of solid neutral colors.
Merokeety Short Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress
The Best Summer Swing Dress
This Merokeety smocked midi dress features a tiered A-line skirt and adorable flutter sleeves, made in a breathable and lightweight rayon fabric that’ll keep you cool in hot weather. This dress is feminine and flattering, perfect for your dreamy summer getaway!
One wearer says, “I love this dress! It’s very flattering, comfortable, and lightweight! Every time I wear Merokeety dresses, I always receive compliments.” Pick from a huge collection of colors and sizes S-XL.
J.Crew Maxine Button-Back Dress in Linen
The Best Casual Summer Shift Dress
On those days when you just want to dress casually but still look stylish, this J.Crew shift dress is the way to go.
Travelers love J.Crew, and if you’re a long time TFG reader, you’ve likely seen this brand mentioned quite a few times! This summery shift dress is wonderful for a hot weather trip—comfortable, versatile, easy to wear, and cute, too!
This comes in a ton of colors and sizes XXS-XXL also available in tall (XS-XL) and petite (XXS-L).
Quince Summer Jersey Mini Swing Dress
The Best Casual Summer Fitted Dress
This beauty is another top pick for European travel in the summer! The Quince swing dress is not only mega stylish and flattering, with cute relaxed fit and flared hem creates a silhouette that flatters every form and will feel airy in the scorching heat!
A happy user shares more, “I just got this dress in black and was worried it would be too big, but it’s perfect. I look forward to wearing it when the weather warms up.” Available in sizes XS-XL!
The Best Sporty Summer Dress
If you like to stay active on your vacations and need a dress that can keep up with your adventures, Columbia has you covered!
This brand makes amazing clothing for travel, including sporty dresses like this one! The Freezer III dress is ideal for active summer getaways, as it’s made from cooling and moisture-wicking fabric, has UPF 30 sun protection, and a stretchy fit.
One reader shares, “Big fan of Columbia Freezer dresses. Great travel companions!” Another reader says, “Columbia has really cute dresses that are lightweight and roll up really small for packing.” It’s available on Amazon and Columbia, in both standard sizes XS-XXL and plus sizes 1X-3X, too!
Eddie Bauer Aster Crossover Dress
The Best Summer Dress with UPF Protection
Eddie Bauer’s Aster dress has the perfect mix of sporty and sophisticated! This dress truly does it all – it’s breathable, moisture-wicking, has odor control, and UPF 50 sun protection. It’s pretty and flattering, too!
TFG readers know they can always depend on Eddie Bauer for their travels, and this versatile dress is no exception! One user describes it as, “a cute low maintenance dress that packs well!”
It comes in regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes, right here!
Acelitt Casual Sleeveless Dress
The Best Budget-Friendly Summer Dress
A super cute dress under $35? Yes please!
This Acelitt sleeveless dress has a flattering A-line silhouette, with a high elastic waistband and a flowy skirt. It’s a perfect dress to bring along on your hot weather travels, and it proves you don’t need to break the bank for a cute and versatile travel dress!
One traveler recommends this one, saying, “Fits perfectly, very comfortable, perfect summer ‘throw on and go’ dress!” Choose from sizes S-XXL and a bunch of lovely colors.
Best Dresses for Hot Weather Travel Comparison Chart
| BRAND | MODEL | FEATURES | REVIEWS | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
|
Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress |
The Best Plus Size Summer Dress
“Anthro clearly knows this is everyone’s favorite. As a plus size gal, I appreciate n option that is cute, flattering, and super comfy, that also has a true short sleeve (I’m not a fan of cap sleeves). I wear my couple of Somerset dresses every week all summer. They are very cool and comfortable for the warm weather. The one improvement I’d like to see Anthro make would be an improvement on the hook and eye closures. As someone with a large bust, I have to add snaps or sew it shut.” |
Check Price |
|
J Crew Capitaine Linen Shirtdress |
The Best Summer Dress for Every Size and Height
"Perfect dress for summer! This is a staple in Texas weather. It can be dressed up for work / casual days. Excellent quality linen." |
Check Price |
|
Pact Coastal Double Gauze Cutout Midi Dress |
The Best Sustainable Summer Dress
“Perfect dress! Flattering and the fit is accurate.” |
Check Price |
|
Gevomir Halter Dress |
The Most Versatile Summer Dress
“Great summer dress. I love the fit and color.” |
` Check Price |
|
Spanx AirEssentials Tie-Waist Tank Dress |
The Best Classic Summer Dress
“I love the look and feel of the dress! The tie waistband is flattering for people like me who have large waists, Fabric is great for traveling” |
Check Price |
|
Merokeety Short Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress |
The Best Summer Swing Dress
“I love this dress! It’s very flattering, comfortable, and lightweight! Every time I wear Merokeety dresses, I always receive compliments.” |
Check Price |
|
J.Crew Maxine Button-Back Dress in Linen |
The Best Casual Summer Shift Dress
This summery shift dress is wonderful for a hot weather trip—comfortable, versatile, easy to wear, and cute, too! |
Check Price |
|
Quince Summer Jersey Mini Swing Dress |
The Best Casual Summer Fitted Dress
“I just got this dress in black and was worried it would be too big, but it’s perfect. I look forward to wearing it when the weather warms up.” |
Check Price |
|
Columbia Freezer III Dress |
The Best Sporty Summer Dress
“Big fan of Columbia Freezer dresses. Great travel companions!” |
Check Price |
|
Eddie Bauer Aster Crossover Dress |
The Best Summer Dress with UPF Protection
“A cute low maintenance dress that packs well!” |
Check Price |
|
Acelitt Casual Sleeveless Dress |
The Best Budget-Friendly Summer Dress
“Fits perfectly, very comfortable, perfect summer ‘throw on and go’ dress!” |
Check Price |
Thigh Society The Cooling Shorts | Sizes XS-6X
Best Shorts to Wear Under Dresses
If your looking for a shorts to wear under your dresses Thigh Society is a reader favorite! The Cooling anti-chafe shorts from ThighSociety are raved about by TFGers for so many reasons, especially their silky, hi-tech performance fabric. These shorts pull heat and moisture away from the body, keeping things cool, fresh, and chafe-free on even the hottest of days.
They’re tagless, don’t roll or bunch, and are ultra-thin and lightweight yet stretchy and durable as can be. Plus, they come in a wide range of colors and lengths and range in sizes from XS-6X!
How to Pack Dresses
Packing dresses are the perfect way to create a fresh outfit every day. If you’re going on a seven-day trip, pack seven dresses. It’s as easy as that!
Then, use slim packing cubes to save space in your suitcase and travel carry-on only.
Learn our hacks with packing cubes in the video above!
We put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
Buy Compass Rose Packing Cubes here!
What are your recommendations for the best dress for hot weather travels? Share in the comments below!
For more tips on travel dresses, please read these posts:
- Beach Dresses You Can Wear On and Off the Sand
- Summer Maxi Dresses
- Cute Summer Dresses for Women
- Moisture Wicking Dresses for Summer Travels
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Thank you for all the great tips on packing lightly! You have saved me money and back strain since I have been following your blog!!
I love all the dresses here! Would you also do an article on destination photo shoots?
Love J Crew dresses, so versatile! That red/white halter dress looks soooo cute on you!
The variety of silhouettes, sizes, and price points in this post is amazing—literally something for everyone. Thank you!
I love the Gevomir Halter Dress for summer travel. The dress is easy to roll into packing cubes and looks great straight from the suitcase. It works well for day or night.
Thank you for always making sure to have plus-size options!!
I LOVE the Columbia Freezer dresses! They have a maxi dress option too! I have one in each length and I typically alternate between them when we travel to warm destinations. The fabric packs small, is light and comfortable, and dries quickly (great for washing or getting splashed at the beach). They worked perfectly for me a beach / hiking vacation in Fiji and our recent Europe trip to cities in Spain and Portugal!
What about the dress from the cover image? That’s the one I’d want!
Hi Beck, unfortunately the product sold out some time ago so we’re not sure of the brand. Sorry we couldn’t have been more helpful! 🙁
Some midi length dresses would be great to include
Hi Margaret, thank you for taking the time to share your insight! 🙂