Top 5 Vacation Dresses for Women
If florals aren’t your thing but you still want to look pretty at the beach or for a summer party, this eyelet lace dress will do the trick. It’s soft and form-fitting enough to wear alone or with a blazer for dinner or nightclub.
Long vacation dresses like this maxi dress can be dressed up or down with heels and a hat. It’s also wrinkle-resistant and breathable.
Hillhouse
Founded by Nell Diamond in 2016, Hill House Home has expanded from bedding to include clothing, accessories, swimwear and baby products. Its hero product, the nap dress, has achieved cult status.
The brand’s cottagecore aesthetic leans on a Nantucket vibe, reflecting the founders’ summers on the island. Its bestselling Ellie dress features elasticated smocking, a tiered skirt and pockets, plus is pregnancy and breastfeeding-friendly.
This year, the brand added the mid-length Daphne dress and cotton-inspired Lucia dress to its lineup. You can also buy the coordinating Vacation Beach Dress Alexa top and Camilla skirt for a head-to-toe look that will take you from Italian beachside vistas to the city streets.
Andrea Iyamah
Founded in 2011 by Nigerian fashion designer Dumebi Iyamah, Andrea Iyamah designs authentic clothing and resort wear that celebrate her African roots as well as other cultures. Deeply inspired by travel and nature, the brand’s design elements incorporate bold colors, modern femininity, and retro classic silhouettes with a contemporary edge.
Iyamah’s collection is a go-to for vacation style. The Ontario, Canada-based brand specializes in swimwear, but also offers head-turning dresses and robes. Her pieces are frequently seen on celebrities like Christina Milian and Bonang Matheba, as well as at destination weddings.
Iyamah’s edgy and feminine designs encourage women to embrace their bold inner beauty. Her collections tell the stories of different cultures through their kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, and textures.
Farm Rio
If you love bright bohemian dresses, Farm Rio might be the perfect fit. Its designs are inspired by the colors and spirit of Rio de Janeiro and embody feminine style. They offer a variety of clothing and accessories in fun fabrics, including a selection of activewear, lingerie, and shoes.
Designed in-house, Farm Rio’s prints celebrate nature with playful tropical motifs. The company is committed to eco-responsibility and is 100% carbon neutral. They also partner with One Tree Planted, where a tree is planted for every purchase made.
The brand recently opened a pop-up in Liberty London to showcase its luscious patterned pieces alongside specially curated objet d’art. The location is a first for the brand in the U.S.
Reformation
If you’re jetting off to a tropical locale this summer, or even planning on a road trip a little closer to home, you’ll want to make sure your suitcase is stocked with vacation dresses. From floral minis to the ultimate two-piece set (the Mylie), fashion brand Reformation has styles that will stand out on any getaway.
Feminine, effortlessly wearable and classic in design, the label’s dresses embody the spirit of coveted vintage finds. The off-the-shoulder Aviva frock is ideal for rocking that girl-next-door look, while the Navaeh dress’s fitted bodice and thigh high slit oozes sex appeal.
Smocked Dress
A smocked dress is a summer staple, perfect for warm weather trips. This cotton midi dress from Ciao Lucia features eyelet detailing and flattering flutter sleeves. It can be worn as a light cover-up in the spring and summer, then layered with a sweater and boots come fall.
These dresses are recognizable by their smocking, which is created using stitched gathered fabric that’s designed to stretch. They’re available in a variety of silhouettes, from babydoll mini to demure ankle-length frocks. You can also choose one in a thicker winter-friendly material or in a silky linen for a more formal occasion.
Corset Dress
Add some drama to your wardrobe with a corset dress. These dresses can create a unique high fashion look that’s both comfortable and flattering. They are ideal for formal events, but you can also wear them with a pair of combat boots or a casual bag to reduce their formality.
If you want to make a corset dress yourself, start by finding a gown that fits well in the bust area and has a zipper down the back. Then, sew a corset-like back onto the dress. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can buy a corset dress that already has a corset back.
Ruched Bodice
Ruched bodices are a vacation dress staple because they offer super flattering silhouettes. They also offer prime breathability for days that have you sweating a lot. This midi nap dress offers a ruched bodice and zipper closure, which adds a touch of structure to the flattering halter-neck cut. Wear it with a blazer and sneakers or tuck it into your closet for a laid-back look that you can wear when running errands and sight-seeing with bae.
Whether you prefer bold colors or neutrals, VICI has you covered with dreamy resort dresses. These stylish frocks are worth taking up space in your carry-on suitcase.
Puff Sleeve Dress
A puff sleeve dress is real wardrobe MVP, especially during the summertime when it works as a breezy one-and-done outfit for brunch dates and outdoor picnics. But even in colder weather, the voluminous silhouette is still a real crowd-pleaser when styled with everything from coziest knits to leather knee-high boots and statement revenge heels.
Go glam in a white puff sleeve dress paired with gold earrings and a coordinating clutch for an evening out or keep it Vacation Beach Dress casual in a ruched puff shoulder or smock dress styled with sneakers or sandals for running errands on the weekend. Puff sleeves also work well with tucked-in skinny crop ankle pants or a midi skirt for a dressier look.
Crochet Dress
With its breathable properties and airy texture, crochet is a natural choice for summer dresses. The needlecraft, which is a technique of looping yarn into intricate designs, lends a relaxed look to any outfit and pairs well with a range of materials.
Embrace feminine bohemian style with this pink halter dress from Mango, or choose a close-body fit like this white crochet mini for an instant glam effect that’s ideal for beach bar drinks and beyond. A peekaboo black crochet cover-up frock is also a great way to upgrade your swimwear wardrobe.
Alternatively, browse the handmade dresses from Cleobella, which are all made by female artisans around the world and use only eco-friendly, organic cotton. Their pink maxi crochet dress would work well with a pair of chunky sandals and a clutch bag.
