17 Best Travel Dresses for Women (With Pockets!)

For me, it’s always been a challenge to pack a bag and choose just one or two dresses that will be versatile enough to wear in different types of weather and various occasions for a single trip.

In fact, one thing I never let myself do was explore the different types of cool travel dresses out there, for women on the go. I’ve always packed a patterned maxi dress, layered it with a jean jacket, and called it a day. But I could be doing better!

I’ve learned that there are travel dresses out there made by great brands that have invented fabrics that zap moisture and sweat, minimize odors (who doesn’t get stinky on a plane?) and come with pockets.

In the list that follows, I’ve picked a few of the best dresses on the market for women travelers, so that you don’t have to do the work! Let’s dig in.

Bluffworks Threshold T-Shirt Dress

If there was ever a T-shirt dress that really rocked my world, it’s this new one from Bluffworks, the brand that builds great travel clothes for women. In the past, I’ve found T-shirt dresses to hit the wrong places on my body, but this one is both flattering and comfy. Plus, it has hidden POCKETS!

The Threshold T-shirt Dress is made from the Bluffworks proprietary Threshold fabric (I also have the Threshold tee). It works well on travel days.

My favorite part of the T-shirt dress is that it comes in petite sizing and I actually feel great in it. Regular dresses often hit my legs too far down and look like I am drowning. This dress comes in regular sizes by default, and if you’re short like I am, opt for petite sizes!

I think this T-shirt travel dress is priced pretty affordably for all the versatility it provides. I could wear it from spring to fall, layered with scarves, cardigans or tights and boots for cool nights on a trip. In these photos, I’m wearing it with my Troubadour Momentum backpack.

Free Fly Women’s Breeze Dress

If you’re taking a warm-weather trip that’s bound to get you into humidity, try out the Free Fly Women’s Breeze Dress. I own it in Baltic Amber and in size XS, and the feel of it is like nothing I’ve ever had in my closet before. It’s bouncy and soft on my torso and legs.

This dress folds up small in a packing cube, and is made of a special material blend that’s meant to handle heat and humidity like a breeze. The best feature I found is the hidden zipper pocket in the right-side slash pocket. I use this for tiny things like coins or a key.

Is Free Fly worth it? See my Free Fly product experience review.

Quince 100% European Linen Sleeveless Swing Dress

Everything from Quince has been so affordable, in my experience. I tried the Quince 100% European Linen Sleeveless Swing Dress and absolutely loved the classic summer style.

The only thing about it to gripe about is that the buttons are a little hard to open, when you first get it. I opened one, and got it over my head, and then I kept that button open. I really like the colors that this dress comes in, and I chose Olive. The two pockets on the sides are perfect for sliding my hands into, and they are functional during travel.

Public Rec Go-To Tank Dress

I’m so glad that Public Rec has come out with some dresses! The cousin of the Public Rec Go-To Dress, the Go-To Tank Dress is a nice travel staple with a funky open back for style. It has a flirty fit and a top half that reminds me of the Public Rec muscle tank that I enjoy wearing as a travel shirt.

With a blend of Pima cotton and spandex, it’s an athletic fit and the material is durable. This one is great for travel in pretty hot temperatures and could be paired with my Public Rec Adapt Belt Bag.

My tip about sizing: Public Rec typically runs “true to size,” in my experience, with their products like the Essential Tee, Luxe Fleece collection and joggers. The Go-To Tank Dress runs a bit wider than I’d like, so I have some fabric gaps at the side that will probably make this dress less of a “go” for me. Keep this in mind about your build if you like this dress, because it’s good for larger-chested women (proportionally) as well as women who might feel like they have more of a standard (non-petite) body type.

Bluffworks Threshold Tie Waist T-Shirt Dress

The Threshold Tie-Waist T-Shirt Dress is the second travel dress from Bluffworks. It has a flattering look that is not too tight, and originally the tie-waist scared me off, but it works out really well. It can be worn in the front (my preference), or even the back. Check out the photos here of me modeling the six usable pockets.

At an affordable price point for the quality you get with Bluffworks, I think this one’s an easy decision. This type of dress can be totally casual for a day to day while traveling, and would look nice as a base layer for more business casual outfits if you have that use during your trip.

This one differs from the Bluffworks original T-shirt dress because it has the nice touch of cuffed sleeves, and I like this a lot. One of the biggest benefits is that this tie-waist style is a classic, so if you put your budget toward a dress like this, it’ll last for years.

100% Organic Cotton Poplin Tiered Maxi Dress (Statement Dress)

For the times when I just want to take amazing photos and be in an amazing dress, there’s the Quince Cotton Poplin Tiered Maxi, a Quince best-seller in women’s, and it does not disappoint. For only $70, it’s a dress that goes from spring to fall as a go-to maxi that makes a big fashion statement (in Lipstick Pink or Vermillion Red) and even if you wear it at home, it’ll transport you to the beach in Greece.

I tried this dress and I love the vibe of it. The only thing is that it is too long on me, at 5’2”, and it’ll be best for anyone taller than 5’4”, or if you plan to wear espadrilles, heels or wedges during your trip.

Because it’s 100% cotton poplin, it’s lightweight AND easy to throw in the washer before, during and after traveling.

KUHL Vantage Dress

KUHL is an adventure and outdoors brand, so I was glad to see they have a dress available for women travelers. The Vantage dress comes in four bold colors, and is sized XS-XL.

As all KUHL products are created for being on the go and being active, the dress has moisture management, odor resistance, sun protection at UPF 50+ and a four-way fabric stretch. There are pockets right below the elastic waist!

This travel dress is fairly casual, so if your trip is active (I probably wouldn’t wear this dress for biking or climbing) like if you’re camping, doing a lot of walking or going on an easy hike, pack this dress in your bag.

Icebreaker Women’s Merino Granary Sleeveless Dress (only one color left!)

I learned about the Icebreaker brand because Dan really likes his Icebreaker merino wool crew sweatshirt. I was glad to find out that Icebreaker makes great women’s apparel in their signature merino wool blend.

Merino wool is one of the best materials for travel, because it’s soft and strong, as well as lightweight and fine. The Granary Sleeveless Dress is 100% merino wool and is a minimalist travel dress with a subtle cap sleeve and a modest knee length.

A dress like this would be good if you plan to take a trip that involves some sightseeing that requires modest dress, like religious temples or sacred places — think Israel or Sri Lanka.

As for fit, it runs pretty long and overall, I think Icebreaker runs big in women’s sizes. If you are a pretty standard build and average height, you still might want to size down. I have Icebreaker’s merino tee for women, and that runs big, too. Check out my photos for a close-up on the fabric and for how small it folds up in your luggage!

Quince Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Mini Dress

I tested out Quince’s Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Mini Dress and I looooove the softness and flow of it. The tencel has a certain weight to it, which makes the dress hang off my body and not stick to my legs. That’s a plus.

My favorite aspect of it is the flattering neckline. I find I have trouble finding necklines that make me feel confident, and this one has a great shape, with the scoop and straps. Being as short as I am, it ran longer on me than it looks on the models on the product pages. Another highlight: handy and functional slit pockets at the sides. (Wondering how Quince runs for petites? Head to my Quince for petites review.)

REI Co-op Women’s Travel Dresses - ON SALE, up to 40% off!

Not only does REI Co-Op carry an assortment of travel dresses that are made for hitting the trail and looking cute, they are nearly always having a great sale. I can’t complain about that: it means I can get more dresses, with the same clothing budget for my trip!

What I want to make a point about is that REI carries the in-house REI Co-Op brand, but also, a range of brands that include some of our favorite travel apparel names in the industry from prAna and Free Fly to Royal Robbins, Patagonia, Cotopaxi and adidas. For that, I remain thoroughly impressed, becuase you can access lots of name brands and travel styles under one roof at REI’s website.

One more good-to-know fact that sets REI Co-op apart from the other brands is that they gear their women’s styles toward women of all sizes, offering dresses in sizes XS to 3XL.

Toad & Co Sustainable Dresses

Toad & Co. makes cute dresses for travel that anyone could love!

For starters, what I like about their dress options is that they come in everything from sleeveless to long-sleeve, so you can shop for all four seasons, or for trips that may take you through all terrains and weather.

In the past, I’ve linked to some dresses specifically, but the fact of the matter is that for varying tastes (or if your preferences change every month like mine do), I suggest looking at all the Toad & Co. dresses to see styles like flannel shirt-dresses, “hooded” dresses, wrap dresses, “jumpers” (think overalls), jumpsuits and tiered short dresses. I think it’s one of those brands where you can start basic and make the Toad & Co. styles into your personal fashion when you’re on a trip.

Backcountry Travel Dresses - ALL on sale now, 30-70% off!

I’m glad I looked into if Backcountry made travel dresses, and the great news is that THEY DO! The Backcountry travel dresses come in a few mini and midi styles, from hiking dresses (it pays to look cute while hiking) and a flirty/sporty halter dress that I cannot wait to try.

Also, how cool is it that the Destination Trail Dress zips down completely to become a long-style vest? What a creative and surprising feature of this versatile and stretchy style.

Anatomie Travel Dresses - Several Styles

And, get 15% off your first order by shopping here!

Travel isn’t always hiking and backpacking! That’s why there’s Anatomie, a brand for upscale and luxury travel so that women can look their finest while on a trip. Maybe you’re traveling for “bleisure” (a bit of leisure, a bit of business) and you want dresses that fit the bill on both types of travel. That’s why Anatomie’s styles for women are useful: they’re upscale, elevated, modest and classic.

A travel dress like the Elise Dress is perfectly chic, and for superpower travel capabilities, it’s wrinkle-free, flattering and timeless: designed to serve as a business meeting outfit or for a fun night at a bar on a celebration weekend with friends.

Athleta Travel Dresses

I became familiar with Athleta via my Athleta leggings with pockets that I mention in my list of the best travel pants for women. They make dresses, too! The Athleta travel dresses come in such cool styles, from “Essential Tee” to jumpsuits and turtleneck sweaters. I like that there’s an Athleta travel dress for each season.

Dresses like the Transcend and the Vital (both on sale right now!) are made with Lycra for a huge stretch factor and feel like yoga pants, but in dress form. The Transcend Dress actually has built-in bike shorts, which I’ve never seen for a dress before! What an amazing feature for avoiding fly-ups and having a phone stash pocket at your thigh.

Patagonia Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton Essential Dress - On sale, 51% OFF!

This long-sleeve casual dress from Patagonia caught my eye because it is super chill. And of course, I had to search for if it has pockets: it does! It has a totally relaxed fit, so think of pairing it with walking sneakers and a baseball cap. You could also wear it with leggings and boots in winter or fall.

As for specifics, this Patagonia travel dress is Fair Trade Certified™, and made from 100% Regenerative Organic Certified™ cotton. It has raglan-style sleeves, two slit pockets and that “Retro Fitz Roy Patagonia logo” that every traveler wants on their chest. What’s not to love?

tentree Arden Dress (On sale now!)

The Arden Dress from tentree has pockets — can you believe it? This travel dress is a blend of super-soft Lyocell, recycled polyester and organic cotton that has a two-way stretch knit. For now, it comes in the “core color” of Meteorite Black.

I like the gathered neck, hand pockets, elastic gathered waist and sleeveless look. I’d wear this one in Central America or Southeast Asia, or a summer in Europe. This dress is specifically meant for summer, and for keeping you cool with the gentle fabric. Lastly, it’s easily machine washable.

prAna Jewel Lake Summer Dress - ON SALE, 40% off!

prAna’s cool high-neck flare dress is stretchy with a detailed back. It’s the only one of its kind, in this entire list of travel dresses!

There are pockets in this travel dress, too (two hand slit pockets at the hips). It has a built-in shelf bra (with removable pads), so that you don’t need to wear one if you don’t need to! I also think it’s an ideal day-to-night dress to bring on a warm and tropical trip. In the black color, you could even dress it up a whole bit more.

Why should you trust me?

I’ve been traveling on my own since 2009, and I know what makes a good piece of clothing to have in my suitcase!

I’ve been through items that have broken or ripped during trips, as well as clothes that have shown sweat, haven’t washed easily and haven’t stood the test of time.

The garments I recommend in this list are clothes I have personally tested already, or ones I plan to wear, and I’m happy with how they look and how they feel.

Also, the brands listed are ones from which I already own other travel clothes (check out my list of the best women’s pants for travel, as well as the best women’s shirts for travel).