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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.
Madewell Plus Sophia Smocked Midi Dress
The Best Plus Size Summer Dress
Our readers love Madewell for the best plus size dresses that are always so comfy, flattering, and cute – like this airy midi dress in sizes 1X-4X! This dress is made from soft and light cotton gauze, and is elevated by tie straps and a flattering cinched waist.
Madewell 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, “I love Madewell. My go-to for travel and every day life!”
Check out more of their dresses here, or at Nordstrom!
Dresses are the perfect staple to add to your functional travel capsule wardrobe. Learn more in my guide!
J.crew Relaxed-fit 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-X)l, 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, “I bought this dress for my trip to Italy last summer. Excellent travel dress!”
J.Crew dresses are highly popular with readers for summer travel, check all of them out here!
The Best Sustainable Summer Dress
If you love to shop sustainably, our readers have a great recommendation for you! This prAna Corissa dress is made of organic cotton and recycled polyester, so it’s breathable, light, and easy to wash. This blend is absolutely perfect for hot destinations, and the pretty, wrap-style makes it versatile!
prAna is one of the most popular brands for travel among TFGs! One wearer says, “Perfect dress! Flattering and the fit is accurate.” Grab this in sizes XS-XL 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.”
Karen Kane A-line Jersey Dress
The Best Classic Summer Dress
The Karen Kane A-line jersey dress has a straightforward, classic style that makes it an ideal go-to travel dress. The skirt is flowy and flattering, and the rayon blend is cooling and comfy! You can dress it up or leave it casual, depending on what you have planned.
Readers love this brand for their timeless and comfortable pieces, and always recommend them for travel! One reader shares, “I love my Karen Kane dress. I’ve had it for years. Perfect black dress.” Another reader says, “One of my favorite brands! Travels well!”
You can get this beauty in sizes XS-XL and a couple of solid neutral colors. Also, you can buy this at Zappos, too!
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.
The Best Casual Summer Shift Dress
On those days when you just want to dress casually but still look stylish, this Caslon shift dress is the way to go.
Travelers love Caslon, 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!
One traveler reports, “Perfect fit, soft, and practical with small pockets. Will be great for travel this summer!” This comes in a ton of colors and sizes XXS-XXL.
Jescakoo Summer Casual Wrap Dress
The Best Casual Summer Fitted Dress
This beauty is another editor’s top pick for European travel in the summer! The Jescakoo wrap dress is not only mega stylish and flattering, with cute cap sleeves, ruffle details, and an adjustable waist, but will feel airy in the scorching heat!
A happy user shares more, “This dress is very cool and comfortable. It can easily be dressy enough for dinner or casual enough for a park just by changing accessories. The fit is very flattering—snug right under the bust and flowy at the waist and hips.”
Find out why the Leith ruched dress is a reader and TFG editor-in-chief favorite in this review!
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Madewell Plus Sophia Smocked Midi Dress |
The Best Plus Size Summer Dress
“I love Madewell. My go-to for travel and every day life!” |
Check Price |
|
J.crew Relaxed-fit Linen Shirtdress |
The Best Summer Dress for Every Size and Height
“I bought this dress for my trip to Italy last summer. Excellent travel dress!” |
Check Price |
|
prAna Corissa 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 |
|
Karen Kane A-line Jersey Dress |
The Best Classic Summer Dress
“I love my Karen Kane dress. I’ve had it for years. Perfect black dress.” |
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 |
|
Caslon Knit Shift Dress |
The Best Casual Summer Shift Dress
“Perfect fit, soft, and practical with small pockets. Will be great for travel this summer!” |
Check Price |
|
Jescakoo Summer Casual Wrap Dress |
The Best Casual Summer Fitted Dress
“This dress is very cool and comfortable. It can easily be dressy enough for dinner or casual enough for a park just by changing accessories. The fit is very flattering—snug right under the bust and flowy at the waist and hips.” |
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 |
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
- How to Wear a Shirt Dress
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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! 🙂