The 11 comfiest travel dresses, according to stylists and editors
Maxi dress: Athleta Presidio Traveler Maxi Dress
T-shirt dress: Loft Draped Mini Tee Dress
Nap dress: Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress
Washable silk dress: Quince Silk Slip Dress When it comes to comfortable, fail-proof travel outfits, travel dresses have just as much to offer as your favorite matching sets. Aside from being space-saving, especially if you're working with limited luggage real estate, travel dresses are a one-and-done outfit that can save you precious vacation time in the mornings.
'The best travel pieces are made from loose, lightweight fabrics that have stretch and provide extra comfort,' fashion stylist and blogger Jana Meister said. 'Athletic-style dresses with a light layering piece over top like a cardigan or jacket are good options for traveling. I love to pair my athletic or casual dresses with tennis shoes for a chic yet styled look.' Also great for travel? T-shirt dresses, since they can be dressed up or down, have a loose fit and are easy to sit in, the stylist notes.
To help you find the perfect travel dress for your upcoming trip, we asked stylists to share their insights and recommendations. We tapped our team of editors for their top travel dress picks, too.
Athleta Presidio Traveler Maxi Dress
If you're looking for a dress that falls below the knees, Meister recommends this Athleta one. Designed with travel in mind, this maxi dress is made from a quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant polyester and spandex blend and has pockets for stashing your small items. It also has a UPF 40+ rating, making it ideal for long days exploring in the sun.
Everlane The Weekend Tank Dress
Personal stylist and image consultant Cynthia Kennedy singles out Everlane's The Weekend Tank Dress as a great option for travel because it's breathable, can be worn with a bra and isn't too clingy. She notes that the dress is perfect for 'hot weather cities when you still want to look polished in photos' and recommends pairing it with a denim jacket, if needed.
Buck Mason Mainstay Cotton Slip Dress
Health, fitness and food editor Tobey Grumet Segal has several Buck Mason pieces in her wardrobe, including this cotton slip dress. She loves traveling in it because it falls just above her ankles, has a comfortable, loose-fit, adjustable straps and her favorite feature — pockets. 'It's the perfect dress to throw on for a flight somewhere warm, though I usually throw a cardigan over my shoulders for the in-plane AC,' she said. 'Plus, I know I'll be able to wear it on the other side, no matter where I'm heading.'
Maurice's 24/7 Clara Dress
Meister recommends this short-sleeved ribbed dress, which she likes for its handy pockets, elasticated drawstring waist and above-the-knee hemline. 'The fabrication makes it ideal for traveling and [it] would be a great option [to wear with] tennis shoes or sandals,' she said. The dress comes in three colors — Biscay Bay, Dark Gray and Rose of Sharon — and ranges from sizes XS to 4X to accommodate different body types.
Scheels Women's Recreation Millie Dress
Looking for a sporty dress to add to your wardrobe? Meister recommends Scheels' Women's Recreation Millie Dress, which is made from a comfy and stretchy scuba material. 'It has an elastic drawstring waist, a full sleeve, dual pockets, and [it] comes in a gorgeous dusty jade color,' Meister said. If you prefer to dress in more neutral colors, it also comes in black.
Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress
We've written about nap dresses extensively because they're so comfortable to wear. Turns out they're great for travel too! 'I am not ashamed to admit that I have more nap dresses in my closet than I can count on one hand,' home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel said. 'The Ellie is perfect for travel because it can be dressed up or down. I often wear it with sneakers when I'm doing a lot of walking, but it also looks great with heeled sandals when I'm going out to dinner.' She notes that the wrinkle-resistant crepe fabric doesn't show creases, which makes it a particularly great option.
Maurice's 24/7 Bare Henley Wavy Rib Dress
This ribbed dress from Maurice's is another one of Meister's recommendations. 'It would be great for layering, and [it] comes in an amazing mineral red color,' she said, adding that its polyester, rayon and spandex blend makes it a comfortable and easy-to-care-for option. We love that the sleeveless dress has pockets, an elasticated waist and a hemline that hits right above the knees, so you can easily walk in it.
Uniqlo Airism Soft Mini Bra Dress
If you're working with limited packing space, this Uniqlo dress is for you. Kennedy loves that it doesn't take up much room in your luggage, is easy to layer and has a convenient built-in bra. The dress also has adjustable straps and built-in shorts that have pockets, so you can confidently move around.
Loft Draped Mini Tee Dress
This comfy T-shirt dress from Loft is a great travel option, according to Meister. 'It's 100% cotton fabric is breathable and lightweight for travel, and it has a simple draping in the front that adds a pop of style and sophistication,' she said. In addition to appreciating how easily this dress can be layered, Meister also loves that it can be paired with tennis shoes or a dressier option, like mules. If you're looking for other T-shirt dresses at a super affordable price, she recommends checking out Old Navy, too.
Cozy Earth Brushed Bamboo Sleeveless Midi Dress
Cozy Earth makes some of our favorite pajamas, and this T-shirt style tank dress is just as comfy according to fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw. 'The bamboo blend jersey is soft and has a brushed feel on the inside, so it literally feels like wearing PJs,' she said. 'This silhouette is roomy yet streamlined, and I love that it has pockets too. It's such a nice alternative to wearing sweats to the airport, but without sacrificing comfort.'
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress
Kennedy recommends Quince's mulberry silk slip dress, which she describes as easy to pack and versatile. We love that the dress is machine-washable, has adjustable straps and a flattering bias cut. Plus, it comes in over 10 colors and prints to work with different wardrobes. According to Meister, there are a few factors to take into consideration when it comes to shopping for a travel dress, with comfort being one of the biggest. She recommends looking for dresses that have a loose fit and fall at a length you can comfortably walk and sit in. She also suggests looking out for dresses that are made from soft, wrinkle-resistant fabrics. 'Wrinkle-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester are absolutely perfect for travel,' Meister said, adding, 'They are good for packing in your suitcase and wear really well without ironing or steaming.' Other fabrics to look for, according to the stylist, are ones that have four-way stretch, are quick-drying or sweat-wicking.
Both stylists agree that you should shop for dresses with features like pockets, adjustable straps and stretchy waistbands. Kennedy also suggests opting for wrap-style dresses, dresses that are made from breathable or lightweight knit fabrics and dresses that have built-in bras. 'Built-in bras can be a game-changer, especially if you're trying to pack light, but only if the support actually works for your body (sometimes built-ins are a little… optimistic),' she said.
Other factors to consider when shopping for travel dresses, according to Kennedy, are the cultural norms of the area you're visiting, the weather and how easily your dresses can be layered.
The following FAQs have been answered by stylist Jana Meister.
What is the best fabric for a travel dress?
What is the best fabric for a travel dress?
According to Meister, nylon, polyester and cotton blends are great fabric options. 'These dresses don't wrinkle too much and often times are soft and comfortable enough for a long day of travel,' she said.
How do I keep my dress from wrinkling when traveling?
How do I keep my dress from wrinkling when traveling?
'Wrinkle-resistant, easy-to-maintain synthetics, such as nylon or polyester are great if you are wearing the dress during travel,' Meister said. If you plan to pack your dresses however, Meister recommends rolling them or using tissue paper to prevent wrinkling. 'Rolling the dresses will keep them from creasing and the tissue paper will keep other fabrics from bunching up against them,' she said.
How should you pack a long dress for travel?
How should you pack a long dress for travel?
Using a garment bag to carry your long dresses is typically the best option, but you can also roll the dress or place it in tissue paper and lay it flat under the rest of your clothes, Meister said. 'As soon as you reach your destination make sure to remove your dress from your travel bag and let it hang before wearing it,' she added.
For this article, we consulted the following fashion stylists to gain their professional insights.
Cynthia Kennedy, personal stylist and image consultant
Jana Meister, fashion stylist and blogger
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this story, associate editor Rachel Dennis interviewed professional stylists who shared their tips on shopping for travel dresses, along with their recommendations. She also tapped CNN Underscored's team of editors for their favorite travel dresses.
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There are benefits to it, including added protection and more structure. However, as appealing as the Petkit Cat Backpack Carrier is, its design is plagued with potential complications. For example, it has several vents as well as two small mesh windows on the side, but it doesn't feel breathable in there. Petkit must have realized this, because the brand included a small fan. Unfortunately, the fan isn't strong enough, makes a bit of noise that might startle an already stressed-out cat and doesn't come with a built-in battery. Meanwhile, the main compartment is not only tight but also hard to manage when you're trying to put an unwilling cat inside. If you've ever handled a kitty that will scratch, bite and claw its way out of being placed in a carrier, you know the way this backpack is designed to open and close is not conducive to that scenario. The backpack straps also need more padding and adjustability so the backpack won't sit too low on your back. I really want to like this cat backpack, and if you've read my self-cleaning litter box guide, you know I'm a fan of Petkit, but sadly I feel like it needs to go back to the drawing board with this one. Are cat backpacks safe for cats? Are cat backpacks safe for cats? Absolutely. Many cat owners use a cat backpack for trips to the vet, hikes and even cross-country road trips. When choosing a cat backpack, make sure it's spacious enough for your kitty. Can you bring a cat backpack onto a flight? Can you bring a cat backpack onto a flight? Airlines typically require a pet carrier to fit under the seat in front of you. As long as a cat backpack meets that requirement, you should be able to bring it on board just like a regular carrier. Before your flight, however, make sure to double-check your airline's specific pet carrier requirements to ensure you're meeting them. When is it better to use a cat backpack over a cat carrier? When is it better to use a cat backpack over a cat carrier? That largely depends on your preference as well as your cat's needs and comfort level. Some say cat backpacks are better for short trips, while carriers are ideal for longer trips since they're bigger, but I've used small carriers and tested expandable cat backpacks, so that's not a hard-and-fast rule. The one situation where a hard-shell carrier is most ideal is if you have to check your pet. However, checking a pet means they'll end up in the cargo hold, which is risky. Unless you absolutely must, I would avoid this scenario. CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we test each product accurately and only recommend the best products while considering the pros and cons of each item. Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has years of experience covering pet gear and writing pet product reviews. She's written several pet-specific guides, including the best automatic cat feeders and the best pet water fountains. She's a devoted cat mom to Arrow, Bow and Isla.
