We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Style Apparel The Best Wrinkle-resistant Dresses for Travel These crease-free frocks are packable, practical, and endlessly versatile. By Theresa Holland Theresa Holland Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and editor specializing in lifestyle, beauty, apparel, and more. She has contributed to numerous digital publications, including Byrdie, People, The Spruce, TripSavvy, The Financial Diet, Thought Catalog, and Elite Daily. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 12, 2024 Comments In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa As a one-and-done outfit, a dress is something I always pack for trips. But to avoid creases and crinkles en route and while on my body, wrinkle-resistant fabrics are crucial. The best wrinkle-resistant dresses for travel are often made of polyester, wool, rayon, lyocell, viscose, or nylon with spandex or elastane woven in for extra stretch. Sometimes, the texture or weave is what keeps creases at bay, like pleats or ribbed knitting. Here, I’ve rounded up options for every destination and occasion. From everyday frocks with phone-sized pockets to elevated maxis, layerable slips, and seasonless sleeved numbers, you'll find the perfect wrinkle-resistant dress for your next trip. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Quince Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress at Onequince.com $50 Jump to Review Most Versatile: Unbound Merino Travel Dress at Unboundmerino.com Jump to Review Best With Pockets: Zella Effortless Cutout Back Hybrid Dress at Nordstrom $63 Jump to Review Best Size-inclusive: SALE Good American Modern Tank Maxi Dress at Amazon $119 $48 Jump to Review Best Budget: Wolddress Casual Sleeveless Dress at Amazon $30 Jump to Review Best Casual: Vuori Pose Sands Dress at Vuoriclothing.com Jump to Review Best Professional: Spanx AirEssentials Tie-waist Tank Dress at Nordstrom $138 Jump to Review Best With UPF: Coolibar Dounelle Maxi Dress UPF 50+ at Amazon $99 Jump to Review Best Short: Girlfriend Collective Naomi Workout Dress at Girlfriend.com Jump to Review Best Maxi: Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress at Nordstrom $56 Jump to Review Best Overall Quince Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress PHOTO: Quince $50 at Onequince.com Why We Love It The fabric has natural wrinkle resistance and a nice drape, and the layerable style is versatile enough to wear in most seasons. What to Consider The size range isn't very inclusive. Our top choice comes from Quince. This dress is made primarily from Tencel lyocell, a super-soft fiber sustainably sourced from wood pulp. The fabric is naturally wrinkle-resistant with a unique drape that always falls just right. A small amount of spandex is woven in for added stretch and a comfy feel. Though it's sleeveless, the versatile design can be layered under a cardigan, denim jacket, or duster and worn almost any time of year and in any climate you're traveling to. We also appreciate the front pockets, which come in handy when you're on the go. We wish this dress came in more sizes, but the flexible design offers enough give to fit different body types. The price is right, too, and you can choose from several versatile colors. The Details: XS to XL | Tencel lyocell, spandex Most Versatile Unbound Merino Travel Dress PHOTO: Unbound View on Unboundmerino.com Why We Love It The material bounces back into shape, never needs ironing, and stays smelling fresh, so you can wear it multiple times while traveling. What to Consider It’s a bit pricey. I have this dress in black and pack it for pretty much every trip I go on. The sleeveless, midi-length design is easy to layer under long sweaters and button-downs or wear on its own when the weather permits. It's woven from merino wool with a hint of spandex for flexibility. According to the brand, the naturally coiled shape of wood fibers allows the material to bounce back after being pulled, rumpled, or folded, so you never need to iron it or worry about creases. What's more, wool is odor-resistant, so you can wear this dress multiple times between washes — and pack fewer items in your suitcase. The Details: XS to XL | Merino wool, spandex Best With Pockets Zella Effortless Cutout Back Hybrid Dress PHOTO: Nordstrom $63 at Nordstrom View on Lyst.com Why We Love It You can stash your phone or cards in the pockets and style it with various types of shoes and outer layers. What to Consider It's unlined, so you'll want to find a good bra and maybe anti-chafing shorts to wear underneath. This Zella dress is a go-to for traveling and everyday wear when I want something simple and functional but also chic and presentable. The side pockets are great for stashing a phone, cards, or cash when I'd rather not carry a bag or want these things easily accessible. I have this dress in black and love how the performance fabric never wrinkles. Though the racerback top leans sporty, I find the flowy, midi-length design a cinch to style with anything from sneakers and sandals to sweaters and shrugs. Since it's unlined, I usually wear it with a racerback bralette and anti-chafing shorts. The Details: XS to 2X | Polyester, spandex Best Size-inclusive Good American Modern Tank Maxi Dress PHOTO: Good American $119 $48 at Amazon $71 at Nordstrom View on Goodamerican.com Why We Love It Available in nine sizes and modeled on different body types, this smoothing dress is made to fit and flatter everybody. What to Consider It's pretty form-fitting, but the back slit allows for movement. Good American is a size-inclusive brand that makes on-trend pieces for all bodies. We're particularly fond of this maxi dress. It's available in nine sizes, going up to 5X, and you can select different model sizes to see how it looks on various body types. The wetsuit-inspired scuba material is not only wrinkle-resistant but also dense to provide a smoothing effect from the bust down. (I have the bodysuit version of this piece and can attest to its shaping abilities.) While this dress is form-fitting, it doesn't feel too tight, and the back slit allows for movement. The Details: XS to 5X | Nylon, elastane Best Budget Wolddress Casual Sleeveless Dress PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon Why We Love It This affordable frock won't wrinkle, no matter how you pack it, and there are 40 colors to choose from. What to Consider It calls for hand washing, but reviewers have said they've machine washed it without issues. This affordable dress is a stellar choice for travel, and it won't run you more than 30 bucks. Woven from polyester and spandex, the flowy fabric is soft and comfy with lots of stretch. More to the point, you can bet it won't wrinkle, no matter how you pack it in a suitcase. It comes in an inclusive range of sizes and a whopping 40 colors and prints, so there's truly something for everyone. But don't take it from us — the 9,000-plus five-star Amazon reviews speak for themselves. Just a heads up, the care instructions say to wash it by hand, but many buyers have said they've machine washed it without any issues. The Details: S to 5X | Polyester, spandex Best Casual Vuori Pose Sands Dress PHOTO: Vuori View on Vuoriclothing.com Why We Love It It's sporty without looking too much like activewear, with a resilient knit fabric that keeps wrinkles at bay. What to Consider The brand's sizes run slightly large. Vuori's Pose Sands Dress is just the thing for casual outings and laid-back days padding around your resort or vacation rental. This sporty yet sophisticated piece has a semi-snug fit with four-way stretch and a side slit to encourage movement. The fabric is a soft yet resilient knit material with delicate ribbing that not only resists wrinkles but also conceals any that do form. It's moisture-wicking, too, so you'll stay dry and smelling fresh on the hottest days in the muggiest climates. Since the brand's sizes run large, we suggest ordering a size down from what you normally wear. The Details: XXS to 2X | Rayon, elastane Best Professional Spanx AirEssentials Tie-waist Tank Dress PHOTO: Spanx $138 at Nordstrom $138 at Nordstrom $138 at Nordstrom Why We Love It With full-coverage shoulders, a crew neckline, and a midi length, it has a polished yet approachable vibe that's perfect for professional occasions. What to Consider The material may pill after a few washes. Want to look polished yet approachable for your next business trip or networking event? This dress from Spanx might be the one. Though it's sleeveless, the crew neckline and full-coverage shoulders conceal any bra underneath, while the midi length is conservative without sacrificing versatility. The tie-waist belt is a fun touch, but you can remove it and wear it as a shift dress. The AirEssentials line was made with travel in mind. Like other pieces from the collection, this dress features an incredibly lightweight and breathable fabric with four-way stretch that effectively prevents wrinkles. We also like that the front pockets are big enough for a phone or passport. The Details: XS to 3X | Modal, polyester, elastane Best With UPF Coolibar Dounelle Maxi Dress UPF 50+ PHOTO: Amazon $99 at Amazon View on Coolibar.com Why We Love It You won't have to apply sunscreen from the shoulders down, and the buttery-soft, drapey fabric promises not to wrinkle. What to Consider It's not water-repellent, moisture-wicking, or resistant to saltwater. This travel-friendly number offers UPF 50+ protection. (UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor — basically SPF but for textiles.) So from the shoulders down to the ankles, you won't have to worry about applying (and reapplying) sunscreen. A cross between a T-shirt dress and a maxi, the short-sleeve design is laid-back, flattering, and versatile. Coolibar's Moduri fabric is naturally breathable and stretchy with a flowy drape that ensures wrinkles stay away, no matter how tightly you roll it or compress it into a suitcase. The Details: S to 3X | Modal, elastane Best Short Girlfriend Collective Naomi Workout Dress PHOTO: Girlfriend Collective View on Girlfriend.com Why We Love It This wrinkle-repellent mini dress has built-in compression shorts for a smoothing effect and flashing prevention. What to Consider It's made for activities like tennis but is still a great casual option for warm weather. If you have something shorter in mind, Girlfriend Collective's Naomi Dress is the way to go. The active design is technically made for working out, but it's an excellent casual option for warm-weather athleisure looks and resort wear. Though the built-in compressive shorts are useful for stashing tennis balls, they also offer a smoothing effect and prevent accidental flashing. You can count on the stretchy performance fabric to repel wrinkles, but it doesn't stop there. The UPF 50+ material also safeguards your skin from the sun's rays. Another reason we love this brand? The inclusive sizing goes up to 6X. The Details: XXS to 6X | Recycled plastic bottles, spandex Best Maxi Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress PHOTO: Nordstrom $56 at Nordstrom View on Skims.com $40 at Saks Fifth Avenue Why We Love It The slinky ribbed fabric hugs your curves without being too tight, and you can adjust the spaghetti straps for more support or a deeper plunge. What to Consider Popular sizes and colors often sell out quickly, and it's pretty long, but there's a petite option. Everyone's idea of the perfect maxi dress might be different, but if you ask us, Skims really nailed it with this one. Made of a slinky, wrinkle-resistant fabric with soft ribbing, it has a body-hugging fit that drapes over your curves without being too tight. The delicate, adjustable spaghetti straps are a nice touch, too. You can wear the Soft Lounge Slip Dress out to dinner, for a daytime outing, or while hanging out at your vacation rental. If you're new to the brand, one thing to know about Skims is that popular sizes and colors sell out quickly. Also, this dress is pretty long, hitting the floor on a 5-foot-8 frame, but there's also a petite version. The Details: XS to 4X | Modal, spandex Best Slip Everlane Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Slip Dress PHOTO: Everlane $118 at Everlane Why We Love It The semi-synthetic, silk-like material is drapey and lightweight with a cool-to-the-touch feel. What to Consider It only comes in one color, but black is super versatile. I love the simplicity of a slip dress, but traditional silk options can be prone to creasing and have delicate care requirements. This one from Everlane is ideal for travel. It's woven out of triacetate, a semi-synthetic silk alternative sourced from cellulose. The material is wrinkle-resistant, drapey, and lightweight with a cool-to-the-touch feel. Though this slip dress only comes in one color (black), it's highly versatile. You can wear it as-is with flats or sandals, pull on a cropped sweater, or even wear a short-sleeve baby tee on top or underneath. The Details: 00 to 16 | Triacetate Best Splurge Pleats Please Issey Miyake Basics Dress PHOTO: Nordstrom $515 at Nordstrom View on Isseymiyake.com Why We Love It This high-end, seasonless dress flaunts a unique pleated texture that flexes over your curves and never wrinkles. What to Consider The sizing is atypical — 1 through 5 is like XS through XL. If you're open to splurging on a high-end dress you can wear virtually anywhere in all four seasons, this one won't disappoint. The Issey Miyake Basics Dress has vertical mini-pleats to create a unique texture that won't wrinkle. Not only that, but the flexible material easily stretches over your curves without becoming misshapen. This dress can be worn with a pair of heels, flats, sandals, or sneakers. The sleeveless design makes a superb standalone ensemble, but you can also wear it with a knit sweater, shawl, shrug, or long-line jacket. One thing to note is that the sizing is atypical — 1 through 5 correlates to XS through XL. The Details: 1 to 5 | Polyester Tips for Buying Wrinkle-resistant Dresses Focus on the materials When buying a wrinkle-resistant dress, pay attention to the material. The fabrics least likely to crease or crinkle include Tencel lyocell, viscose, rayon, wool, cashmere, polyester, and nylon. These textiles are often blended with spandex or elastane to add stretch and flexibility, which helps keep wrinkles away. Sometimes, it's the knitting pattern or texture that offers wrinkle prevention. For instance, dresses with ribbed weaves tend to conform to the body so wrinkles either don't show or are smoothed out. Then there's pleating, which both resists and conceals creases. Consider care instructions You'll want to look at the care instructions, too. The best wrinkle-resistant dresses for travel can be machine washed and tumble dried or air dried. Odor-repellent options, like those made of wool which is naturally antimicrobial, don't need to be cleaned after every wash. This means you can wear them more than once on a trip and ultimately pack fewer items. Frequently Asked Questions How do you get wrinkles out of clothing? The best way to get wrinkles out of clothing is with a steamer. (An iron can work, too, but the direct heat isn't great for fabrics.) If you're traveling, consider packing a mini steamer — the best ones are easy to use and take up minimal suitcase space. To pack even lighter, try a wrinkle-release spray. Just lay your garment flat on a bed or ironing board, spritz on a light, even layer, then use your hands to smooth out any wrinkles. How do you pack a dress so it doesn't wrinkle? It depends on the fabric and overall design. A garment bag is usually your best bet when traveling with a full-length formal dress. You can also fold your dress once or twice and lay it on top of your other belongings in your suitcase to minimize crushing and compressing. Some people layer tissue paper between the folds of a dress to reduce static and rubbing, which can be what causes wrinkles. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Theresa Holland is a commerce writer, copy editor, and product reviewer. She's a big dress wearer, especially when traveling, and will do almost anything to avoid ironing clothes. Her preferred travel dresses are made of sporty, performance fabrics that resist creases and can be compressed into packing cubes without a second thought. Of the above brands, she personally owns dresses from Quince, Everlane, Unbound Merino, Skims, Zella, and Modern Citizen. The Best Tank Tops for Women for Every Destination Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Sophie Mendel Sophie Mendel Sophie Mendel is a Commerce Editor at Travel + Leisure with Dotdash Meredith where she assigns, edits, and publishes the product reviews and recommendations that help guide travelers toward the best shoes, apparel, accessories, and hotels for their needs. Sophie has traveled to 53 countries and has lived in five, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She has more than six years of experience as a writer, editor and copywriter. learn more