There are two types of travelers: those who carefully plan every item in their suitcase, down to the last earring, and those who throw in whatever they can see at the last minute, only discovering which earrings made the trip once they arrive. This story is for both.

Whether you want a fun new piece to set the mood for your summer vacation wardrobe, or you need a few reliable staples you know will work no matter what, a travel dress is one of the most versatile items you can have in your on-the-go collection. And with the season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to check what you already have and fill in the gaps.

Vogue’s Favorite Travel Dresses

The White Cotton Dress
Faithfull Fiora maxi dress – $370, Nordstrom

The On-the-Go Basic
Cos midi T-shirt dress – $129, Cos

The Warm-Weather LBD
Matteau Empire midi dress – $545, Net-a-Porter

The Summer Bright
Sir Isla gown – $750, Shopbop

The Post-Beach Option
Zara flowy halter dress – $60, Zara

The Swim Cover-Up
J.Crew crochet mini dress – $118, J.Crew

The best choice depends on the kind of trip you’re taking. Beach destinations call for cover-up dresses—preferably knit and colorful—and flowy styles that can take you from the beach club to dinner. Cobblestone cities need something a bit more polished; a white cotton sundress is always a safe bet. Then there are travel dresses you can actually wear during the journey. A comfortable T-shirt dress or racerback style that handles the heat of your destination (and can be layered with a jacket when the plane gets too cold) will come in handy more often than you think.

Ahead, a summer travel dress for every summer travel plan.

The White Cotton Dresses
They can be crisp poplin or trimmed with delicate lace—either way, a white cotton dress is a summer essential, even when you’re not traveling. A new piece from brands like Posse or Staud will keep your collection feeling fresh. And since you can style this versatile base with countless patterned silk scarves and sculptural jewelry, it’s worth every penny in cost per wear. Pack a couple for your trip, and stay careful around bowls of spaghetti al pomodoro.

The On-the-Go Basics
These are the low-maintenance pieces you can actually wear while traveling: comfortable enough for hours on trains or ferries, with useful features that make them durable for the journey. Beyond Yoga’s racerback maxi is made from a stretchy jersey fabric that’s surprisingly breathable. And while this forest green midi is crafted from mulberry silk, it’s fully washable—just toss it in the laundry when you get to your Airbnb.

The Summer Brights
This year, we’re celebrating summer in Technicolor with a vibrant, electric palette. Sir’s mandarin-hued gown is perfect for that destination wedding on your calendar. For the office, pair Zara’s lemon-colored midi with equally bright ballet flats for contrast—ice blue or tomato red work well.Zara Asymmetric Long Dress — $46 ZARA

The Crochet Cover-Ups
If your travels take you to the beach, skip the formal dresses and pack a capsule wardrobe of bikinis and cover-ups instead. A pareo is the easiest to pack, but if you want something a bit more put-together for dining at a taverna after a swim, bring a crochet dress. Mini versions from Me + Em, J.Crew, and Prada are perfect for lunch, while Simkhai’s chocolate brown midi is polished enough for sunset drinks.

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Simkhai Jensen Macrame Midi Dress — $995 SIMKHAI
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ME+EM Mini Beach Dress — $295 ME+EM
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Prada Crochet Mini Dress — $2,150 PRADA
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J.Crew Crochet Mini Dress — $118 J.CREW

The Warm-Weather LBDs
For summer, your little black dress doesn’t have to be, well, little. Lightweight silk and cotton in breezy styles make longer cuts easy to wear—go for ’90s minimalism with a strapless column dress or add a romantic touch with a slip. (And if you prefer a shorter style, Jacquemus’s swishy halterneck is made for dancing.)

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Anemos Nadege Draped Maxi Dress — $495 ANEMOS
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Matteau Empire Midi Dress — $545 NET-A-PORTER
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Ciao Lucia Serena Dress — $525 CIAO LUCIA
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Jacquemus La Robe Mini Dress — $2,200 NORDSTROM / $2,200 NET-A-PORTER

The Breezy Post-Beach Ones
Travel season and caftan season go hand in hand, after all. Keep it light for your post-beach plans with airy dresses that are loose and flowy—the roomier, the better. Zimmermann and Zara’s floor-length designs just need a chunky bangle and lace-up sandals to be ready for dinner out.

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Zimmermann Wanderlust Maxi Dress — $950 NET-A-PORTER
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Oséree Lumière Stretch-Knit Kaftan — $310 NET-A-PORTER
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Themis Z Selene Kaftan — $700 NET-A-PORTER
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Zara Flowy Halter Dress — $60 ZARA

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about 24 travel dresses for every type of summer vacation covering beginner to advanced topics

1 What makes a dress a travel dress
A travel dress is usually wrinkleresistant lightweight easy to pack and versatile enough to dress up or down Its designed to look good straight out of a suitcase

2 Are these dresses just for hot beachy vacations
No The list includes dresses for city trips hiking adventures and even cooler evenings

3 What fabrics should I look for to avoid wrinkles
Look for knits rayon modal or performance blends Avoid 100 linen or stiff cotton unless you love the livedin look

4 Can I really wear one dress for both a day hike and a nice dinner
Yes A dressy activewear dress works for hiking with sneakers then swaps to wedges and a statement necklace for dinner

5 How do I choose the right dress length for my body type
Petite Look for mini or abovetheknee lengths to avoid overwhelming your frame
Tall Midi and maxi lengths work beautifully
Curvy Wrap dresses or styles with a defined waist are very flattering

6 Whats the best dress for a very hot and humid beach vacation
A loose sleeveless sundress in organic cotton or a breathable linencotton blend Think easy breezy nothing tight or synthetic

7 Im going on a city trip with lots of walking What dress style is best
A tshirt dress in a stretchy knit with pockets Pair it with comfortable sneakers or walking sandals Its casual comfortable and looks intentional

8 How do I pack a travel dress without it getting ruined
Roll it instead of folding Use packing cubes to keep it separate from shoes For delicate items stuff the dress with tissue paper before rolling

9 Are there any oneanddone dresses that work for multiple occasions
Yes A solidcolor kneelength