Hello! One of the things I learned from my family's last trip is that I need a good, lightweight travel dress. I've started searching myself, but then I thought that, hey, there's a whole community of folks who've tried and tested bunches of dresses and likely have informed opinions they'd be happy to share. :) I'm hoping for a comfortable, breathable fabric; ideally it'd be a maxi or midi (ie- past the knee to mid-calf) dress, but it at least has to reach the knees; bonus points if it has a built in bra. So, what are your tried-and-true favorite summer travel dresses? :) Thanks in advance for enabling my shopping-for-travel habit!
Posted by
Georgia
140 posts
Actually, I prefer a skirt. I can throw on many different tops that I use with pants and make it good for any type of weather. Skirts also take up less space when I pack. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2624 posts
I love a skirt, too. I have a knit jersey black, slightly gored, skirt that goes in my bag every trip. For all seasons, folds into practically nothing and can go with almost any top I pack.
Posted by
OP
57 posts
Hi Gloriajz and Laurie Beth, thanks for your replies! I love a good skirt, too, and packed two on our last trip. But when we arrived in Germany it was in the middle of the heatwave, and one of the things I really wished I had was a good lightweight dress. Even the waistband of my skirt felt too warm. :)
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
6132 posts
Anything from Uniqlo. But don’t forget to wear bicycle shorts underneath to prevent thigh chafing.
Posted by
OP
57 posts
Hi Emily, thanks! I'm not familiar with that company. Time to check them out!
Posted by
Portland, OR
219 posts
My favorite was a black sleeveless dress from the brand "Lucy", which doesn't exist any longer, and I somehow left it behind in New Zealand, most likely hanging on the back of a door in the bathroom. I haven't found a new favorite yet...so hoping someone has some great options here.
:)
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11969 posts
In a heatwave, good quality linen. The better the quality of the fiber, the less see-through. The first day we wear it, it neat and ironed. After that, keep it on a hanger and just re-wear or let shower steam perk it up.
Posted by
USA
997 posts
There's one that Jean loves that I tried to order when it was on sale a while back. For some reason the site locked me out and I never did successfully sign on, so couldn't get the dress. I still want it since it looks and sounds like the perfect travel dress for my style. I can't remember the details now, but she'll probably see this thread and sign on eventually to tell us about it. I'm not a dressy person, but did meet a nice man in Italy a few years ago and ended up on a dinner date. I wish I'd had a dress that evening. I would love to find a few quick dry pretty blouses to upgrade my wardrobe a bit as well.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2624 posts
How about this one? Several folks on the Forum like their clothes for travel.
I tried to post link, but it was too long. Go to Quince.com, then 100% European Linen Tank Mini Dress. It offers color options & looks both cool & cute.
Posted by
California
749 posts
I'm not a dress person but few years ago I had to buy some knee length skirt during a trip. I got black skirts in what feels like jersey fabric, really soft and lightweight. I wore it with different tops, but I also had to get an anti-chaffing pair of shorts. It has become my "travel skirt".
If I were to buy a dress, I would opt for a solid color so you can pair with different accessories to make the outfit look different.
I have a friend who moved to Asia and swears by Uniqlo (Ultra Stretch AIRism Dress), but she had it hemmed just above the knee as they were too long for her (mid-calf). She said it's perfect for the heat and humidity, and she dresses it up with a cardigan when she goes somewhere cooler. She told me the fact it doesn't have a waist elastic was what made it even more comfortable.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
2088 posts
SKfromthePNW, I'm glad I'm not the only one who misses the Lucy brand. My favorite travel t-shirt was a Lucy one. I wore it out. I read that they were bought out by VF/TheNorthFace. Sad.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
4094 posts
LaurieBeth--I don't have that one, but have the linen swing dress (in 3 colors) plus one of the same style in the gauze. Love them!!! I have been living in them this spring/summer. They dry overnight too, which is nice.
Posted by
OP
57 posts
Hi all! Thanks for the suggestions! I'm always happy to buy more linen clothes, so thank you especially for that endorsement. :) Regarding the Lucy brand folks have mentioned, I checked on thredup.com (second-hand clothes online retailer), and found a lot of clothes from "lucy." If that's the same brand, folks might be able to grab some inexpensive pieces if they don't mind secondhand. I'm looking through it now...
Posted by
Idaho, USA
9981 posts
Hi, yes, I have a favorite travel dress! And a funny thing happened at our last local RS travel meet up in Coeur d’Alene! A woman who just moved here showed up in my favorite dress (she saw my post a few years ago), and I was wearing it, too, in a different color pattern - LOL!
My dress is the Royal Robbins Spotless Traveler Tank Dress. I bought one in 2023 in navy - nice to pair with scarves or a necklace, and I purchased another in 2025 and 2026 in patterns. The dress is knee length (I’m 5’8”), and the hem dips a tiny bit in the back. On hot days in Italy, I have sink-washed it and worn it every other day. It easily dried overnight. I like that the cut allows a slight breeze to your legs when walking. I wear a half-slip cut in a culotte style (bought on Amazon), so there’s nothing hot or tight on my legs which would defeat the purpose of wearing a dress to stay cooler. During Summer here at home, I typically have one or two in my weekly laundry basket.
By the way, the short sleeve dress they sell that sounds similar looks very frumpy. I returned that one.
Posted by
OP
57 posts
Thanks, Jean! I just put myself on the 'notify me when it's back in stock' list. Cute dress!
Posted by
Idaho, USA
9981 posts
Another company to check is Toad & Co. I had a favorite cotton dress from them several years ago, and it was a midi length. Unfortunately, it was ruined when Proctor & Gamble changed their laundry detergent formula which gave me instant headaches. The cotton was a nice breathable fabric, and the cut with a side gathering shirring tie that could be adjusted was pretty.
Another dress I use off & on trips is a midi cotton v-neck t-shirt dress. I bought it at Kohl’s five years ago. VERY comfortable & looks okay for dinner or a concert with a large formal scarf covering the t-shirt sleeves. I don’t know the brand of it (I cut off my tags).
Update: Uh oh! I think you might have just set me up to buy another Toad & Co. dress! I’m seeing some good options, and I love that they’re organic cotton!
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
1204 posts
Two brands I like are Dunes and Oh my Gauze. Made with crinkle cotton gauze they are designed for hot weather with a relaxed fit. Both brands are well made, no split seams and lasted me for years. Easily washed by hand, hang to dry - no ironing needed. I am 5 ft 3” and found any dresses were maxi on me! When googling specify Dunes clothing otherwise you will get a lot of geology references!
Posted by
OP
57 posts
Thanks, Lesley! I'm not familiar with either brand, and I'll definitely check them out.
Posted by
3598 posts
https://www.titlenine.com/p/travel-dress-round-trip/120928.html
I have this dress in a pattern no longer made. It is comfortable. I like the length. It does not wrinkle. It washes and dries well.
I take it on every summer European trip.