Unpopular opinion: spring is the worst season. Allergies start acting up, my skin's at its driest after a long, cold winter and the weather poses a new outfit puzzle each day. But with March's temperature swings and April's showers behind us, things are looking up — sundress season is officially here!
Even so, not all dresses are created equal. A great dress can get you through your 9-to-5 and your 5-to-9, looking modest and polished enough for the office while also striking that just-right balance of chic and casual for any post-work plans. An exceptional dress does you one better, giving you the versatility to travel and walk around all day in comfort. And the best dresses known to womankind? They do all of this, plus they have pockets.
In this year's Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards, I found a true gem of a dress that checks all of these boxes, and it's currently on sale for under $45.
Halara Ribbed Boat Neck Asymmetric Flowy Maxi Dress
- Soft and comfortable
- Bra-friendly neckline
- Has pockets
- No interior lining/padding
Sizes: XS to 3X | Colors: 15 | Materials: 92% viscose, 8% elastane
Why I tried the Halara Asymmetric Maxi Dress
A few months ago, I was scouring the internet for the best travel-friendly dresses to test for our third annual Travel Gear Awards. With an impressive 4.6-star average rating from more than 1,000 reviews on Halara's website, this tasteful option quickly caught my eye. It’s available in sizes XS to 3X and 15 colors spanning neutrals and vibrant shades.
After pitching the dress to the team, this pick was approved for testing and I eagerly volunteered to be one of the lucky folks to give it a go. After putting the piece to the test myself over the course of three months, it's not hard to see why it ended up winning over our reviewers, earning the award for “best overall dress.”
Why I like the Halara Asymmetric Maxi Dress
The comfort is unmatched
This is hands-down the comfiest dress I've ever worn. It's made from a jersey-like material that reminds me of super soft bedsheets (in the best way). Flowy and breathable, the skirt falls gracefully from the hips in delicate pleats for a loose, swingy maxi silhouette. The fitted waist and asymmetric ruching add a trendy touch that doesn't sacrifice any comfort, since the material is so cozy and stretchy.
Initially, I was nervous the maxi cut would be too long on me (I'm 5 feet 1 inch), mentally preparing to wear heels or platforms every time I would reach for this dress. But my fears were unfounded — it just skims the tops of my feet in flats. That opens up the possibility to style it with so many shoes this season, from flip flops and slim sneakers to dressy sandals and ballet flats. The sleeveless cut enhances the dress's versatility, too, since I can rock it on its own in warmer weather or pair it with a cardigan or denim jacket if the temps take a dip.
It's a one-and-done outfit I can take on any trip
After years of producing our Travel Awards, I still harbor an embarrassingly bad travel habit — I'm a panic-packer. I tend to wait until the last possible minute to consider what to wear on an upcoming getaway — and then throwing my closet open and being confronted with a seemingly endless combination of pants and tops paralyzes me with indecision.
For this reason, one-and-done outfits like a jumpsuit or dress have become my go-to. When I throw this dress on, my outfit instantly looks like I put way more thought and effort into it than I actually did, earning me compliments from friends and strangers alike.
In addition to taking the guesswork out of getting dressed on trips, I was happy to discover that this frock travels like a dream. I pack pretty haphazardly (see above; re: panic-packing), mostly rolling and cramming clothes into my bag until it reaches capacity. This dress proved wrinkle-resistant after spending the night in a suitcase (especially convenient since the care instructions say "do not iron"). I also wore it all day on the train during a weekend trip upstate, and it looked just as elegant when I arrived at my destination as it did when I got dressed that morning. I went straight from the train station to my dinner plans without skipping a beat!
What to consider
You'll need proper undergarments
The generous coverage up top makes it bra-friendly. So, I’d definitely suggest wearing some type of undergarment since the bodice isn’t designed to offer much support. Since this dress doesn't have built-in shapewear, I always opt to pull on a pair of bike shorts or shaping shorts to prevent any chafing.
Sizing and styles are limited
While it appears that they were offered previously, the long-sleeved and extended size options are currently sold out on Halara's website. We're not sure if or when they'll be back in stock, but you can sign up on the brand's website to be notified by email if they become available again.
More Halara favorites to shop
Halara Softlyzero Plush Backless Active Dress Easy Peezy Edition
- Moisture-wicking
- Four-way stretch
- Shorts offer easy bathroom use
- Removable shelf bra
Sizes: XS to 3X | Lengths: 2 | Colors: 25 | Material: 77% nylon, 23% elastane
Perfect for busy days when you’re running errands, traveling and more, exercise dresses are no longer just for working out. This tennis dress option sizes up to 3X and has a built-in bra and shorts attachment with hidden pockets, meaning easy bathroom use — no more pulling the whole dress down every time!
Halara High Waisted Straight Leg Work Pants
- Stretchy waist band
- Soft material
- Doesn't wrinkle easily
- Runs large; size down
- Study size chart for lengths
Sizes: XS to 3X | Lengths: Petite, regular, tall | Colors: 24 | Material: 79% cotton, 21% elastane
Multiple editors from the team give these high-waisted work pants their stamp of approval after wearing them to the office.
"It was love at first... wear," muses associate editor Shannon Garlin. "These pants are so comfortable that it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing tailored pants. In fact, it feels like you’re wearing your most comfortable pajama bottoms."
Halara Flex High-Waisted Wide Leg Stretchy Jeans
- Very stretchy
- Comfortable pockets
- Fabric holds onto scents
Sizes: XS to XL | Lengths: Petite, regular, tall, capri | Colors: 24 | Material: 79% polyester and 21% elastane
Let’s settle the jeans-versus-sweats travel pant debate once and for all ... these bottoms are another Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards winner that are designed to look like denim but feel more along the lines of athleisure. In fact, senior editor Jess Bender says these jeans are the “most comfortable” out of all the jeans in her closet.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
Audrey Ekman is a production associate at Shop TODAY. She has been with the team for over three years, covering a wide range of topics spanning fashion, beauty, sales and more.
