These Are the Best Sweater Dresses for Travel (2024)

Quince is our go-to brand for exceptionally well-made and well-priced cashmere. This timeless piece is crafted from 100 percent Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, which boasts a luxuriously soft handfeel and a durable construction that’s made to last you for the long run. It’s perfectly packable, thanks to the fabric’s natural flexibility — there’s plenty of stretch, which ensures it will retain its shape even after being tucked into your suitcase. We love that the top-grade cashmere means it sheds less than lower quality options you could find. Pro tip: to minimize shedding and pilling, use a sweater spray between washes — cashmere’s breathability means that it airs out well, so you can get away with wearing it several times on a trip without having to hand wash it in the hotel bathtub.

In addition to being super warm and cozy, this turtleneck sweater dress is easy to dress up or down for any occasion: wear it to the office with tights and boots, or dress it up for the holidays with heels, a belt, and your favorite accessories. We love that it comes in a range of chic neutrals, like oatmeal and black, as well as more festive shades, like an autumnal burgundy.

The Details: Mongolian cashmere | XS to XL

Stretchy and sultry, this wallet-friendly find from Old Navy is a perfect travel companion. The cotton and polyester blend packs up easily and takes up little space in your suitcase, while the sweater dress is versatile enough to be worn several times on even a short trip. Throw it on with thigh-high boots and a leather jacket for a night out, or pair it with your favorite flats for a look that can easily take you from day to night.

The material is substantial and soft, yet thin enough to work as a base layer under a jacket or a chunky sweater, which means you’re essentially packing a dress and a classic black mini-skirt in one great piece. Our favorite part? It’s available in a generous range of sizes for all body types, from plus sizes to petite and tall sizes.

The Details: Cotton, polyester, spandex | XS to 4X

This sleek, minimalist dress goes beyond an elevated essential — it’s a true investment piece that will never go out of style. Made from a luxuriously soft wool and cashmere blend, it’s thick enough to keep you warm in transitional seasons, yet breathable enough to wear even in the summer.

The elegant neckline, low scoop back, and relaxed, body-skimming fit looks gorgeous on its own, or can easily be layered under a cardigan, your favorite T-shirt, a thick sweater, a leather jacket — you name it. While it’s definitely a splurge, it’s a piece you’ll look and feel your best in every time.

The Details: Wool, cashmere | XS to XL

Endlessly versatile, this long-sleeved midi dress can take you straight from the office to date night. The thick ribbed cashmere is buttery soft and breathable, so you won’t overheat even if you pair it with leather boots and an oversized coat in the winter. (It looks fabulous layered with a dainty belt and heels, too). It’s got a slight fit-and-flare design, with a tighter bodice and waist that relax into a swishy skirt. We’re fans of the charming peekaboo detailing on the back, but most of all, we love Reformation’s dedication to using recycled cashmere in order to reduce the item’s carbon footprint.

The Details: Recycled cashmere, cashmere | XS to XL

Sophisticated and stylish, this ribbed sweater dress is made from extrafine merino wool. It’s our go-to material for cooler weather, as it’s breathable and boasts incredible heat retention, so you’ll stay warm without ever feeling sweaty.

The sleeveless style and slight fit-and-flare design of this dress make it a dream to wear for any occasion, whether you’re elevating it with heeled boots and jewelry or going for a more laid back look with sneakers and a puffy down jacket. We love that it can be worn year round, as it’s breezy enough to wear on its own in the summer and easy to layer with tights and a jacket or long-sleeved base layer in winter, such as a wool sweater.

The Details: Merino wool | 2XS to XL

This buttery soft, ankle-length dress from Reformation is a cashmere lover’s dream. It’s crafted from 90 percent recycled cashmere, making it a sultry and sustainable pick you won’t want to take off. The thigh-high slit provides full freedom of movement without revealing too much, while the wide scoop neck offers a flattering fit.

We love how lightweight and breathable this piece is, making it a wardrobe staple for transitional seasons that takes up minimal suitcase space. Wear it on its own in warmer weather, or layer it under a jacket or thicker sweater as the seasons change.

The Details: Cashmere | XS to XL

Autumnal hues, animal prints, ombré, and more patterns are on offer with this chunky, oversized sweater dress, which comes in a whopping 44 colors. Designed to hit at mid-thigh, it’s sure to become your fall-weather staple thanks to its slouchy turtleneck and deep side pockets.

The material is substantial but not excessively warm, so as the weather cools you may want to pair it with a warm base layer. Relaxed sleeves create a casual silhouette that’s perfect for pairing with tall boots or layering over leggings. Note that it pulls easily, so hand washing is suggested in order to keep it in its best shape.

The Details: Acrylic | S to 3X

Lightweight and breathable, this beachy column dress is a sexy way to show some skin in warmer weather. The high neckline and sleeveless style create a sleek and covered look from the front, while the profile view shows off dropped armholes that go halfway to your waist. The airy cotton blend is a no-fuss layer that you can wear on its own if you don’t mind showing a little skin, or layer on top of a bra or bathing suit for a bit more coverage. It’s perfect for heading from the beach to the bar in style.

The Details: Cotton, nylon | XS to XL

Stretchy and unbelievably soft, this off-the-shoulder mini dress feels like wearing your coziest winter socks or best sweatshirt, but looks incredibly chic. It’s crafted from recycled polyester that has a plush handfeel and doesn’t shed, and we love that it’s machine washable for easy cleaning in between wears. Long sleeves will keep you warm enough in transitional seasons that you won’t need to wear another layer with this, helping to save suitcase space for your next getaway.

The material is so cozy that you could even sleep in it — but the flirty off-the-shoulder design makes the dress stylish enough for a night out. Plus, it comes at an attractive price point that’s hard to beat for a two-in-one sweater and dress that runs from sizes 2XS to 4X.

The Details: Recycled polyester | 2XS to 4X

Few things are more fall-friendly than cozying up in a warm and fuzzy oversized sweater dress. And when it comes in a vibrant pumpkin spice-adjacent shade of burnt orange? Sign us up. This oversized V-neck midi dress may only come in one color, but it’s available in a wide range of sizes and is crafted from soft materials that feel higher quality than the affordable price tag would suggest. Consider sizing down for an oversized look that doesn’t feel frumpy, as this definitely runs extra roomy. We also love that it’s machine washable and doesn’t itch.

The Details: Acrylic, recycled polyester, spandex | 2XS to 4X

Slipping into your favorite cashmere sweater just got sexier. This fitted midi dress is made from ultra-soft cashmere you won’t be able to take your hands off of. The double side-slits and low-cut V-neckline are sophisticated and flattering, creating a silhouette that’s easy to elevate for a formal occasion with your favorite jewelry and heels — but we love that it’s still a breeze to pair down with sneakers and a denim jacket.

The versatility of this dress makes it a must-have for light packers, as bringing more of a statement dress isn’t always in the cards: this can play double duty for upscale events and daily wear.

The Details: Cashmere | 2XS to 2X

This long-sleeved midi is the quintessential sweater dress. Wide ribbing creates a flattering silhouette that’s fitted and doesn’t cling, making this a perfect dress to take you from the office to drinks with friends. Packing it is a breeze, since it's stretchy but still retains its shape, and the ribbing does a great job of disguising wrinkles. We love the dainty ruffle detailing at the neckline and hemline.

For fall, the mid-weight material is all you’ll need for a one-and-done outfit — just pair it with your favorite tall boots and you’re good to go. While the material is thick and cozy, it’s still thin enough to easily layer underneath your favorite winter jacket when the temperature dips. At this price point, you can even afford to stock up on a few of the 22 jewel tones on offer.

The Details: Nylon, viscose, polyester | XS to XL

This no-fuss turtleneck looks polished as soon as you pull it on. It’s body-skimming rather than ultra form-fitting, making it a versatile choice for everyday wear. Unlike so many turtlenecks, the collar on this isn’t too stiff or irritating — it’s soft, hits at the perfect mid-height length, and can be turned down slightly if you prefer.

The thickness of the material is a major plus, as you won’t have to pack a sweater for the office if you’re wearing this in the fall or spring — just throw on your favorite tall boots or leggings and you’ve got a stylish, low-lift outfit that feels exceedingly comfortable and looks just as chic. Choose from 23 vibrant shades, from blush pink to chocolate brown.

The Details: Viscose, nylon, polyester | S to XL

Everyone should have a classic wrap dress in their wardrobe, and opting for one that’s thick enough to function as both a sweater and a dress is a smart space saver for frequent travelers. We love that this slightly stretchy V-neck is held in place by a strap at the back of the neck, which ensures the sleeves won’t slip down at an inopportune moment. The sleeves themselves are looser than the body of the dress and are easy to scrunch up, but they do stretch out the more you push them.

The relaxed sleeves and fitted waist are flattering and sophisticated without feeling overly formal — this is an ideal date night dress, but isn’t too risqué to be worn during the day. Plus, the detachable belt allows you to customize your look as you like it (as do the 19 gorgeous shades it comes in).

The Details: Viscose, nylon | S to XL

Looking for a timeless day-to-night dress that’s luxuriously soft, breathable, and easy to accessorize? Meet your new favorite fall outfit: Quince’s fantastically chic and cozy midi dress. Just like our top pick from the brand, this dress is crafted from Grade-A Mongolian cashmere that’s sustainably and ethically sourced from goats in Inner Mongolia.

The fabric is incredibly soft and breathable, and airs out easily between wears so you can go longer between washes. Simple, understated fisherman rib detailing offers subtle texture that’s easy to elevate or to pare down, depending on the occasion. As an added bonus, the sleek, fitted style makes it easy to layer this beneath a graphic T-shirt or pullover sweater to create the illusion that you’ve also packed a skirt.

The Details: Mongolian cashmere | XS to XL

There are plenty of budget-friendly ribbed sweater dresses out there — but this is not one of them. Crafted from 90 percent recycled cashmere, this is next-level soft and sleek, and frankly worth every penny if you can spare it.

The ribbing is ultrafine and adds texture without overwhelming the design, and what sets this dress apart is the gorgeous hourglass ribbed detailing at the waistline. Combined with the high neckline and double side-slits, the ribbing creates a flattering and versatile silhouette that could be worn for casual and formal events alike. Plus, the cashmere is lightweight and breathable enough to wear throughout the year, particularly in transitional seasons.

The Details: Recycled cashmere, cashmere | XS to XL

The magic of a sweater dress is how little effort it takes to look extremely pulled together. Slide this mock neck from Banana Republic over your head, pull on some slouchy knee-high boots, and you’ve got an outfit that can take you from a day of sightseeing to an elegant dinner without missing a beat.

The alpaca wool blend is incredibly warm and fluffy, and will stay that way as long as you take the time to hand wash it or dry clean it as needed — luckily, the wool is naturally odor-repellent and breathable, so it will air out on its own between wears. We love the ribbed detailing at the neck, sleeves, and hem, and that this hits above the knee but is long enough to provide substantial coverage.

The Details: Recycled nylon, alpaca wool, nylon, elastane | 2XS to XL

This cable knit mini is your key to unlocking the “old money” aesthetic that’s all over TikTok. A staple of preppy style since the ‘90s, cable knits are all about looking chic and feeling cozy at the same time. Compared to an oversized sweater, a sweater dress is more versatile, yet equally comfortable — plus, it means pants are optional.

This knit from Naadam is super soft and breathable, as it’s made from fine gauge cashmere that’s substantial without feeling heavy. The airy fabric helps retain heat without trapping sweat, so you won’t overheat if you’re wearing this to class or to the office. Pair it with sneakers, heels, or boots — it’s versatile enough to mix and match, and subtle enough to wear multiple times in one week without anyone noticing.

The Details: Cashmere | 2XS to 3X

Frequently Asked Questions

• What do I wear under a sweater dress?

  If you gravitate toward form-fitting sweater dresses and prefer a smooth silhouette, you may want to consider wearing shapewear underneath, as most sweater dresses don’t offer any compression. In cooler weather, you may want to layer it with a thermal base layer, like a long sleeve T-shirt or turtleneck, which will provide some added warmth without adding any bulk. As for underwear, that’s up to you!

• What materials are best for a sweater dress?

  Fabrics that are breathable and non-itchy are a great place to start. After all, the point of a sweater dress is to feel like you’re luxuriating in an oversized version of your favorite sweater — so you might as well make sure it’s comfortable. Materials like cashmere are typically a bit more expensive, but are ideal as they’re soft and breathable, and provide plenty of warmth without adding any bulk to your suitcase. They also can go longer in between washes, although most cashmere needs to be hand washed or dry cleaned; fabric blends on the other hand are typically machine washable, so materials like cotton or polyester tend to be lower maintenance and equally good choices.

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