Do and don't
Yes please
- Light, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton
- Quick drying, crease resistant blends for travel days
- A shirt dress or loose maxi to cover up over swimwear
- One dressier piece for a nice dinner
- Pieces that all work with one pair of sandals
- A broad brimmed hat that packs flat
Skip
- Dry clean only fabrics
- Heavy, stiff dresses that eat suitcase space
- Anything that only works with one specific shoe
- Relying on a cap or visor for sun protection
- Sheer cover ups for the walk into town if the place is conservative
Styles that work
Read the room
- Beach. A loose shirt dress or maxi over swimwear covers more skin in the sun and dries off fast.
- Pool. Keep a cover up that can go straight from the lounger to the bar without changing.
- Restaurant. One silky or dressier dress plus a sandal swap turns a beach day into dinner.
- Summer heat. Breathable linen or cotton feels cooler, and a quick drying blend saves you on humid days.
- Hemisphere. Australia's beach season is December to February at home, while plenty of Americans chase the sun in their winter.
The packing formula
Three or four dresses beat ten maybes. Bring a sundress for lunches and markets, a loose maxi dress that covers up in the sun, a shirt dress to throw over swimwear, and one nicer piece for dinner. A tiered dress is a handy extra because it rolls small and looks fine slightly crumpled. Make sure everything works with the same sandals.
Fabrics that travel well
Linen is the classic for heat. Britannica notes it absorbs and releases moisture quickly, feels cool and dries faster than cotton. The catch: it's prone to wrinkling, so embrace the creased look or choose a linen blend. For dresses you'll rinse in the sink, polyester is a fibre that's quick drying and wrinkle resistant. Skip anything dry clean only. Nobody wants that on holiday.
Sun first, style second
Your dress is part of your sun protection. Cancer Council's five SunSmart steps say to choose clothing that covers as much skin as possible, and note that some clothing carries a UPF rating, a guarantee of how much UV protection the fabric gives. Add SPF50 or higher broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen, reapplied every two hours, and a broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat, because caps and visors don't protect enough. Cancer Council recommends making shade a priority when the UV index is 3 or above.
In Australia vs the US
For Australians, a beach holiday might be summer up the coast or a quick flight to the tropics. For Americans, it's often a winter escape somewhere warm. Either way, pack for tropical sun and humidity, not the weather you left behind.
Shop the dress code
See all holiday dressesCommon questions
How many dresses should I pack for a beach holiday?
Three or four for a week is plenty: a sundress, a cover up maxi or shirt dress, and one dressier piece for dinner. Pick ones that all work with the same sandals so you can rewear them.
What is the best fabric for a beach holiday dress?
Linen and cotton are breathable, and linen dries faster than cotton but wrinkles easily. Polyester blends are quick drying and wrinkle resistant, which helps if you're living out of a suitcase. Avoid anything dry clean only.
What do you wear to dinner on a beach holiday?
A silky slip, a dressier maxi or a simple midi with nicer sandals and earrings. One dinner dress is usually enough. Check if the restaurant has a dress code before you go.
Do clothes protect you from the sun?
Yes. Cancer Council recommends clothing that covers as much skin as possible, and some fabrics carry a UPF rating that guarantees their UV protection. Still wear sunscreen on exposed skin and a broad brimmed hat.
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