Best Travel Skirt | Midi, Maxi, Lightweight, & With Pockets

Travel skirts are the hot new travel item of clothing but finding the right one can be overwhelming. Here are my top travel skirt picks, along with comparisons of the best ones.

If you think a travel skirt sounds like a nutty item to take on your trip, think again.

I took a “midi” travel skirt with me across Africa for a year, never thinking I’d actually wear it. I usually dislike skirts but – mine was ideal for travel, and I ended up wearing it nearly every day. Plus, travel skirts with pockets give you that extra bit of added convenience and an extra storage compartment. Who doesn’t, love that?

The comparison table below will give you an idea of some of the best travel skirts on the market.

Still need some convincing about travel skirts? Just jump down to the reasons why travel skirts (and dresses) rock!

The best travel skirt

Here’s a comparison of the top travel skirts for women: Buying guide

A travel skirt… why, again?

Lots of reasons!

  • Skirts are cool and allow the air to circulate around your legs better than travel pants (trousers, if you’re from the UK). And if it’s cold weather outside, you can easily add layers under it.
  • The question of size becomes less important, because skirts fit more easily than pants.
  • Many women’s travel skirts are made of sunblocking materials of SPF 50 or more and will protect you from a burn. It’s important to note that only the best women’s travel skirts have this feature, so look out for SPF in the product description.
  • Skirts are often culturally appropriate for women traveling in conservative countries, especially the longer models (best not above the knees or too tight if you’re in a country where modesty is valued).
  • Skirts are flexible. If you choose the right skirt, you can wear it for casual travel during the day and to go out at night. A quick shake, hang it up for a bit and put it back it on.
  • They take up less space in your luggage than trousers do. You can usually roll them up or bunch them into a small ball when they’re wrinkle-resistant, especially with a more lightweight fabric.
  • Skirts are usually easier to care for than pants. Quick-dry skirts are made with modern fabrics that don’t stay wet long, don’t wrinkle, and wear forever without losing their shape.
  • Some skirts are reversible and can be adapted to become shorts or pants with a few snaps or clips.
  • Travel dresses and skirts can be the perfect travel clothes for conservative countries where women’s pants aren’t common. But if you’re looking for the best travel skirt for Europe, then a midi travel skirt will do just fine, since it can double as city wear. 

Have I convinced you yet?

via GIPHY

I traveled the length of Africa for a year wearing a skirt most days and was comfortable all the way. A skirt allows you to dress up by adding travel accessories to your outfit, or dress it down when you need to.

We all have our favorites. Mine was a wonderful model by Tilley Endurables. I could crush it or snag it but somehow it always looked fresh. It also dried quickly.

Of course, they don’t make it anymore (isn’t that always the case when something is great?). The only good news is that I’ve kept it over the years so even if it’s not made anymore, I still have mine.

How to choose the best travel skirt for your trip

You can find travel skirts in almost any style but there are a few characteristics you should look for.

  • Lightweight. Lightweight skirts for travel are essential. If you’re traveling light, weight is of the essence. A big bulky skirt will weigh you down and take up valuable space in your ever-shrinking luggage. A great skirt for travel should be easy to pack.
  • Resistant to wrinkles. Ironing during a trip is not how you want to spend your time. I like cotton skirts for travel and love linen, but linen wrinkles far too easily to pack – at least for me. If it’s high summer I’ll make an exception, especially if I have evening events to attend.
  • Quick-drying. If you’re traveling constantly you’ll need something that dries quickly. When I was on the road as a foreign correspondent I sometimes changed locations every night and one thing I couldn’t afford was a wet item of clothing.
  • Flattering.  No, your skirt doesn’t have to be gorgeous but it should at least be flattering – otherwise, you won’t wear it and it’ll just sit at the bottom of your luggage
  • Neutral in color. Depending on the kind of trip you’re taking, the color will matter. If you’re mostly in the city, a black skirt can double as evening wear. If you’re in the countryside or somewhere dusty, black is the last color you’ll want. Better opt for gray, khaki, or beige instead. Black and white show dirt the most.
  • Of appropriate length. Your height matters but so does the length of your skirt. In conservative countries, a longer skirt might be more appropriate. But the issue of comfort is also important and you need a length that is natural to you: for some women, that’s shorter than for others.
  • Practical. That’s right – travel skirts with hidden pockets.! Or not so hidden… I can’t live without them. A pocket with velcro is a bonus!
  • A comfortable waist. I prefer an elastic waistband because hours of travel can make your waistline chafe. If not elastic, at least comfortable.
  • Well-sewn. I have sensitive skin and a bumpy seam or sharp zipper can bother me. I need the kind of comfort you can only get from something well-sewn, and sometimes that means I have to pay the price.
  • Versatile. If you’re traveling light, you’ll want to carry fewer items so a skirt that is reversible or adaptable to both day and evening wear is like gold.
  • Not too expensive. If you’re a normal person who can wear clothes that don’t rub and chafe, then you’ll find many travelers head to the nearest Walmart or similar discount store to get a cheap skirt they can easily replace when it wears out. Whenever I’ve done that I’ve wasted my money. Try handing your cheap skirt to a laundrywoman with powerful arms and it could fall apart on the first wash. I prefer something…
  • Sturdy and long-lasting. A tough skirt won’t let you down. You can wash it, wrinkle it, stain it, scrunch it and try to destroy it but it will continue to serve you faithfully. 

Travel skirts are becoming increasingly popular items in women’s travel clothing items. Even if you’re not accustomed to wearing skirts, they make perfect sense when you’re on the road so don’t forget to add them to your travel packing list.

And please, before you head out on your trip, be sure to protect yourself and your belongings with travel insurance.

Much as I love to wear skirts for travel, sometimes you just can’t. When you’re hiking in the rainforest, for example, and the ground is rife with creepy crawlies. Or when it’s so hot your thighs chafe (if that’s a problem for you, use Body Glide – it won’t happen again).

Most times though? I wouldn’t leave home without one.

What is the best travelling skirt? Would you consider packing travel skirts? Pin 1
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