Top 5 Vacation Dresses for Women
A vacation calls for a wardrobe that’s comfortable, versatile, and easy to pack. The perfect travel dress is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and ideally made of breathable fabric like linen.
Fortunately, this selection of vacation dresses for women fits the bill. Throw one in your carry-on and get to the beach, restaurants, and sightseeing with ease.
1. PrAna Sundress
In Sanskrit, prana (pronounced “ruh-NAH”) refers to the vital life force that is an integral part of yoga and Tibetan healing practices, as well as many religions worldwide. The name is also the inspiration for the brand, founded by Beaver and Pam Theodosakis in 1992, when they sewed the first pieces of PrAna clothing from home in California.
One of the company’s most popular dresses is the Saxon Dress, which is designed for women who love to get out and explore the world. Made with polyester and spandex, it has a built-in bra for added support. Plus, the soft material blend offers reliable breathability, while the stretch fabric ensures a comfortable fit.
Another great option is the Granite Springs Dress, which features a gathered front and supportive wide racerback, plus a pretty back strap detail. The breathable, lightweight Veeda performance fabric wicks away sweat and meets the Bluesign standard for environmentally safe production processes. Plus, it holds up against wrinkles so you can easily pack it for that girl’s weekend getaway.
2. Everlane Weekend the Smock Dress
If you’re headed to a beach, this Everlane Weekend the Smock Dress is an ideal option. It’s made from lightweight linen that will look mesmerizing blowing in the breeze and would be luxurious paired with a big sunhat. This dress is one of those staple pieces that will be worn for years to come.
For those who are more into petite styles, Lulus’ Days Like This Sleeveless Ruffled Mini Dress is also a great vacation dresses for women choice. It has a puffed smocked neckline and straps with flattering top-tie detailing that will look great in photos. This white eyelet smock dress is available on sale for a mind-blowing 60% off.
3. Farm Rio Ruffle Halter
The best vacation dresses are those that play into your trip’s vibe. If you’re leaning into romance, a delicate eyelet number is for you. Wear it with your favorite sandals and a raffia bag to take you from beach to dinner.
If your tropical getaway vacation dresses for women is all about the foliage, this botanical frock will be your travel buddy. The midi length will let your tan legs show all day, and the smocked detailing will accentuate your shape.
While a simple tank dress may seem boring, this one from Reformation has so much going on. The puffed sleeves, leg slit, and tie-front detail are all vacation-ready, and the floral print looks especially good with a tan.
Young says that vacation dresses are often stuffed into a carry-on suitcase or duffel bag, so opting for materials like linen and cotton can help reduce wrinkles. This option has smocking that adds dimension and hides wrinkles, so it’ll look great from the plane ride to drinks at the hotel bar. The square neckline will accentuate your sun-kissed decolletage, too.
4. Reformation Ruffle Slit Dress
Reformation may be known for dresses that are made for picturesque spring picnics, but this midi dress also makes a statement in a more modern way. The puffed sleeves and ruffled bodice add a touch of drama to the otherwise prim look, while the modest thigh-high slit on the side balances it out to make it more of a summer statement piece than cottage-core fare. Made with 100% viscose (rayon) from forests certified by a non-profit to be sustainably managed, this dress is a great option for women looking to shop sustainable styles that are still fashion-forward and stylish.
This romantic Reformation dress is perfect for a girls’ trip or even a honeymoon, and it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. This style has a flattering off-the-shoulder neckline and tiered hemline that will complement sun-kissed skin perfectly. You could easily wear this with combat boots and a wide-brimmed hat, or go casual with sandals and a woven tote bag. The brand’s Los Angeles-based factory uses recycled and deadstock fabrics, and focuses on fair conditions, carbon neutrality, and giving back to the community.
5. Crochet Slip Dress
Crochet slip dresses are currently one of our favourite vacation fashion trends with everyone from Love Island’s Maya Jama to Sofia Richie repping the look. This dress trend has a lingerie feel and looks great worn over a swimsuit or paired with denim cut-offs and wedges for a night out at a restaurant or club.
While buying crochet dresses at a boutique can be expensive it is much cheaper to make them yourself. To crochet a dress you will need a crochet hook that is suitable for the yarn you are using, scissors and tapestry needle for weaving in ends. You will also need a pattern and stitch markers for locating the beginning and end of each round.
If you are new to crochet this easy pattern is a great place to start. This simple pattern is a beginner-friendly project that can be made in 6 sizes (extra small, small, medium, large, extra large and 2X large). This crochet sweater dress has plunge neck lace detailing making it a beautiful summer dress or winter wrap.
