24 Travel Dresses for Every Summer Vacation Occasion

There are two kinds of travelers: Those who meticulously plan out a packing list with no earring left unaccounted for, and those who toss everything in eyesight into a suitcase at the last minute, discovering what earrings came with them only once they’ve reached their destination. This story is for both.

Whether you want a fun new piece to set the tone for your summer vacation wardrobe or need a few reliable staples to reach for that you know you’ll be able to make work no matter what, a travel dress is just about the most versatile item you can have in your arsenal of on-the-go clothing. And with the start of the season just around the corner, what better time to take stock of your current dress collection and fill in the gaps?

The specifics may depend on what sort of holiday you’re planning. Seaside destinations call for cover-up dresses—preferably knit, preferably colorful—and flowy silhouettes that’ll take you from the beach club to the dinner reservation. Cobblestoned cities require something a little more polished; a white cotton sundress will never steer you wrong. Then, there are the travel dresses you can wear on the actual journey. A comfortable T-shirt dress or racerback style that meets the heat of wherever you’re landing (and that you can slip a jacket over when the airplane air conditioning gets unbearable) 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 summertime essential even when you’re not traveling. A new piece from the likes of Posse or Staud to round out your collection will keep things feeling fresh; plus, since you can re-style this versatile base with a million different patterned silk scarves and sculptural jewelry items, it’s worth every penny in cost per wear. Pack a couple for your trip, and stay vigilant near swirls of spaghetti al pomodoro.

The On-the-Go Basics

These are the low-maintenance pieces you can actually wear in transit: Comfortable enough for hours spent sitting on trains or ferries, with a few useful qualities that make them durable enough 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. Simply toss it in the laundry when you get to your Airbnb.

The Summer Brights

This year, we’re celebrating summer in Technicolor and the vibrant, electric palette that comes with this edict. Sir’s mandarin-hued gown is a perfect match for the destination wedding in your calendar. For the office, pair Zara’s lemon-colored midi with equally bright ballet flats for some contrast—ice blue or tomato red preferable.

The Crochet Cover-Ups

Perhaps your travels are taking you seaside; in that case, skip the formal dresses altogether in favor of a capsule wardrobe of bikinis and cover-ups. A pareo packs up best, but for something more put-together you can wear to dine at the taverna post-swim, bring a crochet dress. Mini versions from Me + Em, J.Crew, and Prada are the ideal lunchtime companions, while Simkhai’s chocolate brown midi is polished enough to join you for sunset drinks.

The Warm-Weather LBDs

For summer, your little black dress doesn’t have to be, well, little. Lightweight silk and cotton in breezy silhouettes make longer cuts manageable—go for ’90s minimalism with a strapless column dress or a touch of the romantic with a slip. (And if you do prefer a shorter style, Jacquemus’s swishy halterneck is made for dancing.)

The Breezy Post-Beach Ones

Travel season and caftan season are one and the same, after all. Keep it light for your post-beach plans with airy dresses that verge on the amorphous—the flowier and roomier, the better. Zimmermann and Zara’s floor-grazing designs just need a chunky bangle and lace-up sandal to be ready for dinners out.