15 Packable Drop-waist Dresses, Starting at $20

Listen—we love partaking in the latest fashion trends, but it’s clear that they’re not all well-suited for travel. Frye Campus Boots, for example, look incredible with a pair of jean shorts or a mini skirt, but their size and weight make them very difficult to pack in a carry-on bag. Drop-waist dresses, however, are packable, versatile, and so comfy. It makes sense why the trendy pieces have been gracing our social media feeds.  

The hallmarks of this style include a long, flattering (and usually stretchy) bodice and a flowy skirt, the perfect formula for cozy travel clothes. Now that the silhouette has gone viral, some of our favorite brands—including Madewell, Quince, and Free People—have begun releasing iterations worthy of your next trip. And we’ve already found 15 options that are comfy, cute, and totally versatile. From stretchy, ruffled mini dresses to flouncy, full-length maxis, there’s a drop-waist dress for every style—and budget—in this list, with prices starting at just $20.

Best Overall Deals: 

Halara Ribbed Boat Neck Ruched Maxi Drop-waist Dress

MThe Drop Florencia Drop-waist Smocked Dress

Available in four versatile colors and carried up to a size 5X, this casual drop-waist dress is suitable for just about anyone—and now it’s on sale for less than $65. Featuring a stretchy, smocked bodice, adjustable spaghetti straps, and a calf-skimming (depending on your height) midi linen skirt, The Drop’s Florencia dress is light, flowy, and easy to dress up or down. Despite its “heavy” materials, one five-star reviewer shared that it has “quality construction” and was the perfect choice while on a hot, humid Florida vacation. 

Zesica Sleeveless Drop-waist Maxi Dress

This stretchy pullover Zesica drop-waist dress has ruched shoulders, a lightly-pleated maxi skirt, and side pockets perfect for stashing your wallet, lip gloss, or keys. Amazon shoppers report that it’s true to size, breathable, flattering, and washes nicely, ensuring you’ll get tons of wear out of it trip after trip.

UO Heide Smocked Drop-waist Mini Dress

This flirty mini dress from Urban Outfitters would pair just as well with an oversized denim jacket and sneakers as it does with kitten heels and a metallic clutch. It’s stacked with feminine details, including a ruffle-trim scoop neckline, a flouncy, tiered skirt, and a fit-and-flare silhouette. One curvy reviewer wrote, “This dress fits so insanely well, especially if you have a wider hip to waist ratio. The smocking hugs my figure perfectly!”

Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Drop-waist Shirt Dress

If you’re looking for something a little less form-fitting and structured, opt for this 100 percent organic cotton shirt dress from Quince. The breezy button-down dress has a relaxed fit and a classic silhouette that’s polished and suitable for any occasion. With side pockets, a flirty drop-waist mini skirt, and functional shell buttons at the front, it’s “so cute and high quality,” according to one reviewer who says they’ve “never had so many compliments” while wearing it out.

ASTR the Label Drop-waist Smocked Midi Dress

Every travel wardrobe needs a little black dress, and this discounted style from ASTR the Label checks all of our boxes. It’s made of 100 percent cotton, has a stretchy, flattering smocked bodice, deep side pockets, and spaghetti straps that you can tie into a bow. The best part? It’s 56 percent off, bringing its price down to $60.

Madewell Smocked Maxi Dress

We consider blue jeans to be a neutral—and no, we won’t be offering any further explanation. So it’s no wonder that we love this Madewell maxi dress so much: The 100 percent cotton denim material can be worn with just about any bag, shoes, or jewelry already in your travel wardrobe. In fact, versatility is the defining characteristic of this dress and can be seen in its simple, smocked design and universally-flattering skirt length.

Mieazom Square Neck Drop-waist Dress

Imagine your standard comfy tank dress, but with a femme drop-waist cut and a modern square neckline—that’s exactly what you get with this $39 Mieazom dress from Amazon. This wear-anywhere pullover is made with a stretchy T-shirt fabric that’ll keep you cool on hot summer days. Available in 10 colors, the dress has wide straps that can easily conceal bra straps, and the stylish pointed hem of the bodice can be worn with a belt for a cinching effect. 

Halara Ribbed Boat Neck Ruched Maxi Drop-waist Dress

Made with a soft and stretchy viscose-elastane fabric, this draped drop-waist dress is comfy, easy to wear, and “hangs beautifully,” according to reviewers. The bodice has figure-flattering draping that “snatches you in all the right places,” and the flowy, pleated maxi skirt has pockets for storing your essentials. While this Halara dress is on sale for $45, you can buy two for $69 right now, making them just $35 apiece—meaning you can stock up on multiple colors while saving big.

Banana Republic Factory Strappy Structured Drop-waist Dress

This structured drop-waist dress from Banana Republic Factory is so elegant and timeless, it’s hard to believe that it’s nearly $100 off right now. Available in regular, tall, and petite lengths, the gorgeous gown has a long bodice that hits right below the hips, pulling the eyes upward to the waist. While the adjustable spaghetti straps and A-line flounce skirt make it a winner in our books, it’s worth noting that reviewers say it fits smaller than expected, so consider sizing up.

Prettygarden Strapless Drop-waist Maxi Dress

If Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap had a signature drop-waist dress in her closet, it would be this one from Prettygarden. Designed with a classic black-and-cream color block bodice and skirt, this strapless maxi dress is an effortlessly stylish choice for formal affairs. One Amazon shopper who gave it a five-star review shared that it was a “flattering and breezy” choice for a recent summer wedding; meanwhile, another shopper called it comfortable, cool, and classy, noting that the strapless bodice stays put and that the skirt is double-lined, making it “such a great dress for the price point.”

Shop More Drop-waist Dresses:

Melrose and Market Plus-sized Ruffle Hem Shirtdress

Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Emerson Drop-waist Mini Dress

Banana Republic Smocked Bodice Drop-waist Dress

Madewell Poplin Seamed Maxi Dress

Free People Nightingale Seersucker Midi Dress

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