My favorite travel dresses have a relaxed fit, are comfortable and breathable, and can pack easily. The last thing I need is to be uncomfortable in my clothing, whether I’m sitting down to a meal at a restaurant, sightseeing all day, or going for a hike. Clothes with classic lines and simple details are best for me, because I don’t have to spend too much time planning out what I’m wearing when all I want to do is get out the door and see new things.
When I’m traveling in hot climates, fabric is extremely important. Thick and heavy fabric, as well as material that doesn’t wick or breathe well, is miserable in those conditions. And then all you have is something you can’t use taking up space in your suitcase.
Lately, I’ve been wearing the Icebreaker Cool-Lite Yanni Sleeveless Dress, which solves all those problems extremely well. The cool-lite fabric combines two lightweight, natural performance fibers—premium merino wool and Tencel (which is a wood fiber). The fabric sits softly against your skin, wicks moisture, and regulates your body temperature, keeping you cool in even the most hot and humid conditions.
For cleaning, turn the dress inside out and machine wash warm or in your hotel sink. Do not use bleach, softeners, or dry clean. Line dry in the shade. The dress dries rather quickly, so it’s ready to wear again whenever you want. That’s another reason why I like simple details and solid colors, because not everyone will notice that you wore the same thing multiple times while traveling. Shh, don’t tell anyone. It’s one of my travel secrets.
The Cool-Lite Yanni Sleeveless Dress comes in black, shale (green), and mercury heather (white and gray), and lists for $120 on the Icebreaker site.