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Updated Recommendations for Women's Wrinkle Resistant Dresses?

Does anyone have any recommendations for dresses available now that are good for travel. Mostly I'm thinking about wrinkle-resistant because I am ironing-impaired, so probably polyester mostly? Something versatile that could go to a nicer restaurant if necessary. We're doing both France and Ireland in June so temps in the evenings will probably be in the 50s or low 60s. I was considering the Royal Robbins Spotless dress (Eddie Bauer has a similar) but I'm concerned that it is has no sleeves, though I guess that's what cardigans are for? Any other suggestions welcome!

Posted by
16028 posts

I like to take a sleeveless dress (mine is Eddie Bauer) and pair it with a cardigan. Nice-looking and versatile. And it may still be quite warm at night in June, at least on your way to the restaurant, so you may be grateful for the sleeveless aspect.

Posted by
3719 posts

What about a black knit dress? Sleeveless or short sleeve. L.L. Bean has several to choose from.
(I find that 100% cotton is cooler than polyester if the weather is warm.)
You can dress it up with a string of pearls or a pretty scarf.
If you want more coverage, a cardigan will work, as Lola said.
A pretty shawl would work, too.

Posted by
4730 posts

Try Chico's either on line or in store. They usually have knits and a Zynergy fabric in the Neema line.

Posted by
81 posts

I just bought two dresses at J. Jill from the Wearever Collection. They were ready to wear after hanging for a short time.

Chicos also has a Traveler Collection. They offer everything you might need for a trip. I have several pieces that can be dressed up or down.

Have fun on your trip.

Posted by
44 posts

You might want to try wool& (brand). Their website is www.wooland.com
The styles look travel-appropriate (meaning they dress up and dress down into different styles), wool is natural and supposed to be anti-stink, and the brand is known for the 100-day dress challenge. I can't personally vouch for any of it, but if I were looking for a dress to travel in for those temperatures, I would try them. There are styles with and without sleeves.

Posted by
80 posts

I agree with the recommendation for the Wool& (wooland.com) dresses. I have several long-sleeved, short-sleeved, sleeveless and 3/4 length sleeve dresses. They are my favorite. Merino wool is wrinkle resistant and stink proof. You can wear it for many days without needing to wash it. I cannot recommend these dresses enough. I also have another favorite brand which is a bit less expensive than those made of merino wool and that is Nuu-Muu (nuu-muu.com). My favorite style of this brand is the keyhole with a pocket (Ruu-Muu). These are very colorful and all are sleevelss (except for the GoBe style which does not have a pocket and has 3/4 length sleeves). Good luck finding something you like!

Posted by
33 posts

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. There's a lot of good info and brands here for someone like me, who isn't really dressy in normal life.

I do have a lot of merino in my hiking wardrobe but I've never heard of wool&. I'd love to have a dress made of the stuff!

Posted by
4 posts

Try Joseph Ribkoff, available online at 1ère Avenue. Although not wool, their clothes are wrinkle proof.

Posted by
2300 posts

I know this is too late for your trip, but maybe it will be on interest to someone else.

GapFactory has what I consider the perfect travel dress: https://www.gapfactory.com/browse/product.do?pid=871132

I have two black ones and a turquoise one. (Also a green tank version!) They are cotton. Can be hand washed and hang to dry overnight. Can also be machine washed (which I do at home) with no problem. They are a soft crinkle gauze material, so you can roll them and never need to iron. It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all. It was a lifesaver in Costa Rica. They cover the shoulders. The tall version covers my knees, and I’m 5’9. Dress up with a scarf/jewelry/sandals. Dress down with sneakers. Turn it backward to change the neck from a v to a crew neck. Change out the belt for a scarf. So many options!

Posted by
1970 posts

Honestly, I have been finding some great dresses on Amazon. Amazon Essentials has some great little dresses. I go for the knee length or shorter one, but there are all lengths. I just wore one yesterday and at Nordstrom I got several compliments on it;) They are only about $20 or so, very comfy, wash up well, and do not wrinkle. I like the fit of the swing dresses, as they call them. This is the one I wore yesterday. It is longer than it shows on the model.

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Essentials-Womens-Short-Sleeve-Scoopneck/dp/B07JNS89XG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2TE4X58P33BKK&keywords=amazon%2Bessentials%2Bswing%2Bdress&qid=1658150480&sprefix=amazon%2Bessentials%2Bswing%2Bdresss%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOU9STDNHR1MzMVdRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzk4MDQ2MkNPTEJVVzhLMjREUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTU3NDI5MjM0NVRVSVFDVEQ1UiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

Posted by
33 posts

Thanks for continuing to make suggestions. I'm sure others will find it useful.

Just to follow up, I ended up getting the "Summer Knit Dress" from L.L. Bean which is sold out now, but maybe there'll be a new version next year. (https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/77625 ) . It was VERY comfortable and I felt could be dressed up or down. On one cooler evening, I pulled a light sweater over it and it looked cute. I expect it will last me several years, as the material feels of a very high quality.

Posted by
99 posts

For those who are still looking, 32 Degrees has a cute v-neck t-shirt dress that's wrinkle and odor resistant. It's polyester and lycra, and is really comfortable (sort of silky). I have it in black and inky indigo, and I can wear them to work with a cardigan or blazer, dress them up with jewelry or a scarf, or wear with a pair of flip-flops on the weekends. I also used it as a nightshirt on our last trip!

Bonus - they're generally inexpensive, and they're currently on sale for $9.99!

https://www.32degrees.com/products/womens-cool-t-shirt-dress?variant=39423950749785

Posted by
21 posts

I know this is an old post, but I'm new to the forum and wanted to jump in to echo the recommendations for wool& dresses. Last October I was in the middle of the wool& 100 day challenge where you wear the same dress 100 days in a row. Thus, I brought to Paris and Italy only 1 dress, a pair of cropped merino leggings, a pair of tights, two cardigans, and a jacket. My dress held up beautifully and I had to wash it only twice during the two weeks I was there - once after the first week and once after I dropped a slice of pizza in my lap in Naples. It dried overnight with no problem. I find the wool& dresses do wrinkle when they are packed, but hanging the dress, or even better wearing it because body heat helps the fabric relax or something, removes the wrinkles.

I'm headed back to Italy in a few weeks and this time I'm splurging and bringing two wool& dresses. I really don't need two, but the variety will be nice and they weigh almost nothing.

Posted by
33 posts

Thanks Meghan and others. I think I will try this brand next time I'm buying. And also, you are living my packing goals!

Posted by
6231 posts

I'm another fan of the wool dresses from wool& - not only are they easy to care for, they are very flattering. I'm getting ready to order another one.

I also like the Chico's Traveler collection - they are wrinkle-free, able to go from day to evening with no problem, and dry very quickly if you're washing clothes in your room.

Posted by
21 posts

Mardee, which dress do you have? I did my challenge in a black Summer midi that I shortened to knee length. I'm bringing a black Chloe and a redwood Chloe that I dyed a deep wine color on my next trip.

Posted by
6231 posts

Meghan, I have the Willow Swing dress in charcoal gray. I wanted a color that would go with lots of different scarves and leggings, and I love it! It's one of the most flattering dresses I've ever owned. I'm taking it with me this weekend to Connecticut for my cousin's wedding.

I want to get another one but I'm trying to lose some weight (and succeeding) so I'm going to wait till spring to see what shape my body is in then. :)

Posted by
80 posts

Meghan and Mardee--I have 3 Rowenas, 2 Willows and a several Maggies. I love them all, but for different times of the year. I wear Maggies from late April to mid-October (hence why I have a few) for everything (work, church, out to dinner, etc.). I wear Willow and Rowena during the colder months. I love all of them and find that they are comfortable even with leggings (cropped or longer) which are not merino wool. I am not as much a minimalist as you, Meghan. I would need more than one dress because I tend to be extremely messy and I like a change so I would probably wear one and take 2. I took a merino wool tunic on a trip last week (it was ice blue) and I got food on it so could not wear it again as it did not look good after I tried to get it out. I know myself and this is what I deal with so I would need a back up plan!