The 10 Best Merino Wool Dresses For Every Occasion

Soft, cozy, and elegant, Merino wool dresses are an excellent choice for anyone wanting to look – and feel – good. But let’s be honest; there are so many options, and finding the perfect Merino wool dress can be challenging.

That’s where I come in! For years, I’ve been testing Merino wool gear with Jay, and now, whether I would like to or not – I have insane knowledge about Merino wool. So, I sifted through all the crap to give you the best of the best!

In this article, I will share my top 10 picks for the best Merino wool dresses for every occasion. I’ll also give tips on choosing the perfect Merino wool dress for your body type and personal style.

So whether you’re looking for a new everyday or special occasion dress, I’m sure you’ll find something you love in this list

Disclosure: Merino Wool Gear DOES NOT sponsor products to maintain our genuineness and authenticity. However, as an affiliate member, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Merino Wool Dress Buying Guide: The Four F’s

You should give an ‘F‘ about the perfect Merino wool dress; well, four ‘F’s‘ to be exact.

Before I get into my top picks, I wanted to give you some buying tips so you better understand which Merino wool dress will be best for you. Click each one to learn more!

Best Merino Wool Dress For Work

Wool& Brooklyn Wrap Dress

78% Merino wool & 22% Nylon | Lightweight (180 gsm) | 12 colors | $$$

Pros: Reversible neckline | Excellent color variety | Longer length available

Cons: Fabric may sag with improper care | Sizing inconsistencies

Conquer the workday with style and comfort in the Wool& Brooklyn Wrap Dress. On Monday, you can wear it as a classic wrap dress, and on Tuesday, spin around the dress and wear it as a boat neck. It has a modest and professional style, which I love. Plus, you can dress it casually with a jacket or leggings on the weekends. It’s just that versatile!

Moreover, this dress is super comfy. The beautifully crafted design provides airflow, and the fabric is super soft. The extra-fine, 17.5-micron Merino wool fibers feel wonderful when draped against your skin. The 180-gsm fabric weight is light enough for a summer’s day and thick enough to combat the office air conditioning. The blended material is solid and durable, but only if you care for it properly. If you don’t, your brand-new – and pretty expensive – dress will sag like a bag of rocks after a few washes. Just launder it properly, and you’ll be fine.

And since Wool& knows every woman has a unique style & shape, they offer tons of variety with this Merino wool dress. You can choose a regular-length dress or a longer hem, adding 3″ of coverage. Moreover, a dozen color options are available, ranging from a bright Aegean Teal to a soft Vintage Blue. They all are elegant, natural tones bound to match your aesthetic. To ensure the fit matches the same, consult the size charts before ordering.

Overall, this Brooklyn Wrap Dress is a must-have for the office. Wear it forward or backward, dress it up or down, and get through your workday in style and comfort. Head over to Wool& below and grab one before your size sells out!

Best Merino Dress For Travel

Unbound Merino Travel Dress

84% Merino wool, 12% Nylon, & 4% Spandex | Lightweight (180 gsm) | 6 colors | $$$

Pros: My go-to dress on-the-go | Soft, elegant fabric | Side hem split

Cons: Availability (hot item) | Armhole depth

When you’re always on the move, you need a dress that boosts adventure, not hinders it. And the Unbound Merino Travel Dress is unmatched for globe trotters and weekend warriors alike. I fell in love with this dress while giving it a comprehensive review, and it has since become my go-to on-the-go dress. The lightweight, stretchy fabric is among the highest-quality, most comfortable materials I’ve ever worn!

Forget about the comfort; this dress is so chic & stylish, I’d be wearing it even if it wasn’t Merino wool! I have an athletic, petite frame, and it drapes nicely on my body. Moreover, the side split is fashionable and functional, offering more mobility than a tighter-fitting design. Although, the only design change I would make would be slightly smaller arm holes. You can see my bra from the side, depending on my body position. So, I usually opt for nipple covers with this dress.

And just like the rest of the Unbound Merino’s women’s collection, this dress has unique fabric features that travelers adore. For one, this dress is super packable and wrinkle-resistant (to a point), so you can pack less and do more. You can wear it every day for a week, and you don’t have to wash it! Plus, with temperature regulation properties, you can wear it on the beach, strolling around the city, or eating local cuisine.

Finally, if you’re looking for a chic, versatile Merino wool dress for your next vacation, look no further than the Unbound Merino Travel Dress. But act fast because although new colors have recently become available, this dress is a hot item. So, grab your size before it sells out!

Best Dress For Going Out

Babaton Aesthetica Dress

100% Italian Merino wool | Ribbed-knit construction | 7 colors | $$$

Pros: Three-season style | Uber-soft half-cardigan knit construction | Relatively affordable

Cons: Delicate (must launder with extreme care) | May need to size down for slimmer fit

If you’re looking for an elegant, timeless dress for grabbing a bite to eat or hitting the town, check out this Babaton Aesthetica Dress. The half-cardigan knit offers a stylish, sleek design. It’s excellent for three-season wear, as I’m not too fond of mocknecks in the summer. Although, no matter which time of year you wear this Merino wool dress, you will look good. Seriously, you have no choice; the dress does all the work.

One great thing about this dress is the unique variety of color options. Babaton frankly deserves more credit for their natural, earth-tone selections. The Heather Birch and Constant Camel are my favorites, but all seven are stylish.

And although I love the classic design and midi length, it only works with some body types. The standard fit may be too free-flowing and relaxed for some, so you should size down if you want a tighter fit. Don’t worry; the vertically ribbed knit stretches in all directions.

So, with the Aesthetica dress rich in color, feel, and style, you must be rich to afford it, right? Actually, no; it surprised me, too! This full-knit, stylish dress is just the same price – if not lower – than the others. The only caveat is that you must put more energy into cleaning and maintenance, as the fabric is delicate. Still, when you look in the mirror the first time you slip on this Merino wool dress, it will all be worth the effort.

Best Merino Wool Dress For Weddings

Smitten Merino Ava Dress

100% Merino wool | Heavyweight (360 gsm) | 5 colors | $$$$$

Pros: Timeless design | Relaxed, flowing drape | Handcrafted uniqueness

Cons: Expensive | Limited size availability

If you’re looking for a statement piece, a Merino wool dress that makes you say, “I look good and feel good,” the Ava Dress from Smitten Merino is an excellent option. Its elegant, flowing design makes it our favorite Merino wool dress for any formal event, especially weddings. If you want to make an even bigger statement, choose the white option; I’m sure the bride will love it.

And who could blame her for loving your white Merino wool dress on her special day? You look fantastic at this fictional wedding. Merino’s natural stretch and the pleaded waistline will hide imperfections as you ‘take it back now, y’all.‘ And the will-they-won’t-they pairing of the deep v-neck and elbow-length sleeves will have you standing out in all those wedding albums.

Anyway, as you can imagine, this Merino wool dress is pricey. What else would you expect from a high-quality, high-fashion, one-of-a-kind piece? Each dress is handcrafted, making each one unique. That may not always be a great thing, as sometimes minor flaws are to be expected. Still, you’d be paying the same price if you put it against a high-end designer dress. But with the Ava Dress, you get the comfort and performance of Merino. Head to Smitten Merino today to see if your size and color are available!

Best Merino Wool Dress For Daily Use

Icebreaker Merino Granary Dress

100% Merino wool | 150 gsm | 4 colors | $$$

Pros: Flowing, effortless construction | Ultralight, breathable feel | Blank fashion canvas

Cons: No pockets | Boxy cut, not for everyone

Do you know those days you’re unsure whether you will go outside? You may get some fresh veggies at the farmers market, or you could rot in bed all day like a vegetable. If you’re wearing the Icebreaker Merino Granary Dress, you’ll be ready for either.

And as with all Icebreaker gear, the Granary dress is constructed with the highest quality Merino wool. The smooth, ultralight fabric is breathable and comfy but keeps you toasty around the house.

Still, it’s hard to classify this as a Merino dress; it’s more of a boxy, extended tee with a couple of dress features, like a curved hem and side splits. Although, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The simple, minimalist design opens up a world of options. I can complement this these with chunky sneakers, sandals, and accessories. It’s truly a blank canvas for fashion lovers like myself.

However, the Icebreaker Granary Dress is a lounge shirt at heart. So, it’s unfortunate that there are no pockets. Who needs pockets when you’re ‘doom scrolling‘ on Reels all day?! Scroll on over to Icebreaker while you’re at it!

Best Merino Wool Dress For Motherhood

Wool& Rowena Swing Dress

78% Merino wool & 22% Nylon | Lightweight (160 gsm) | 14 colors | $$$

Pros: Daily dress for daily comfort (100 days, actually) | Hides imperfections | Incredible color selection

Cons: Shape may not hold as expected | Pockets are too shallow

Whether you’re a seasoned soccer mom, slingshotting kids around town, or a first-time mom-to-be, one thing being a mother has taught me: your kids will break you. So, you might as well be comfy as they make you question your life choices—that’s where the Wool& Rowena Swing Dress shines. That’s right; whether you’re playing with your toddler at the park or yelling at him to stop eating the woodchips, this is the Merino wool dress for you.

Jokes aside, the Rowena dress is sweeping the nation, regardless of your ‘mom’ status. Wool& is so confident in their product that they’ll give you a $100 gift card for wearing the dress for 100 days straight. And thousands of women have already taken the 100-Day Dress Challenge and succeeded! Would you be up for the task?

The real reason this Rowena swing dress is becoming so popular is not because of some social media contest but because it’s a fabulous dress. It’s fitted at the chest and shoulder with a classic A-line drape, coming to rest just above the knee (longer lengths available). The lightweight, wool-nylon material regulates your body’s microclimate, so you’ll stay cool and comfortable. And for most moms whose lives are anything but cool or comfortable, the little things can make a world of difference.

Overall, the Wool& Rowena Swing dress is a functional, good-looking dress that works. It’s tested and approved by thousands of happy customers. And, with over a dozen unique colors and patterns, there’s bound to be a shade that matches your style. Get one, wear it 100 days, and you’ll understand what the hype is all about.

Best Merino Wool Dress For Spring

Smartwool Active Tank Dress

Lining: 53% Merino wool & 47% Nylon (synthetic outer) | Midweight | 3 colors | $$

Pros: Sporty, athleisure look | Engineered, breathable fabric | Drop-in hand pockets

Cons: Fit may vary depending on body shape | May be too short for some

When the snow melts and the flowers bloom, it’s time to get back outside. From picnics in the park to walks in the woods to mimosas on the patio, spring is the season to enjoy the sunshine you forgot about for three months. Why not enjoy the rays in a Merino wool dress?! And, if you’re planning on spending this spring on the move, the Smartwool Active Tank Dress should be your top choice.

This athleisure Merino wool dress uses a blended Merino-Nylon lining, offering a soft next-to-skin feel. Although, the outer material is a synthetic blend with no Merino! The lack of wool on the exterior makes the fabric more durable and less prone to tearing. Yet, with the soft Merino lining, you still get all of wool’s beneficial natural properties.

Moreover, this Active Tank Dress has unique features that set it apart from the crowd. I particularly like the ‘peekaboo’ back opening, as it allows plenty of ventilation. However, the best feature has to be the pockets. Yes, a sporty Merino wool dress with pockets! Shallow, yes, but pockets nonetheless. Considering their longstanding reputation in the industry, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Smartwool.

So, if you’re interested in upping your athleisure wardrobe this spring, try this Smartwool Active Tank Dress. You can pair it with sandals for a Sunday brunch or throw on a pair of boyshorts and sneakers for an afternoon hike. Whichever style you choose, keep it light and simple. Spring is a time for a fresh start, so you should do it in this fresh Merino wool dress.

Best Merino Wool Dress For the Beach

Woolx Lexie Dress & Cover-up

85% Merino wool, 12% Nylon, & 3% Spandex | Light-to-midweight (210 gsm) | 1 color | $$$

Pros: Basic, no-frills design | Quick-drying, breathable | Perfect for post-beach margaritas

Cons: Only one color is available | Fit inconsistencies

Merino wool is an excellent option at the beach! Not only is it moisture-wicking & quick-drying, but it’s also UV-resistant. So, it’s no surprise that the Woolx Lexie Dress & Cover-Up is a popular beachgoer option. After a day in the water, I can throw it overtop a swimsuit for my customary post-beach frozen margarita. Wait, that’s not a thing?

Still, this dress is versatile enough to squeeze into your weekly wardrobe even when you’re not tan and tipsy. You can wear it around town or do anything; it is the dealer’s choice. It’s a casual, versatile piece ready to take on the day. Although, the hem length is too revealing for my liking. It’s good for a basic cover-up, but other options are available if you’re someone like me who prefers more coverage.

And, just as we’ve said before about Woolx, they have some of the highest-quality Merino wool gear we’ve tried. So, even if you’re interested in this dress, it’s worth giving Woolx a shot. I remain a satisfied customer, and I’m sure you will be, too! If not, frozen margaritas on me.

Best Merino Wool Dress For Fall

Ridge Merino Hyde Dress

100% Merino wool terry | Mid-to-heavyweight (275 gsm) | 3 colors | $$$

Pros: Stylish outdoor design | Super warm terry material | Thumbholes & zippered hand pockets

Cons: Not fit for all body types | Low inventory

When the leaves change color, it’s time to break out the Ridge Merino Hyde Dress. It’s the perfect dress for fall. The 275-gsm, 100% Merino wool terry fabric is soft and toasty, begging to be around a campfire. It’s the pumpkin spice of Merino wool dresses – but the real stuff, not that garbage from Starbucks.

Even in near-freezing temperatures, you’ll have thumbholes and zippered pockets for your hands. It may not be much, but when it’s early November, and your Uber driver has been 5-minutes away for the last 15 minutes, it can make a difference.

The style is perfect for the fall months but suitable for four-season use. Its natural outdoor vibe makes it ideal for van lifers and local explorers. And Ridge Merino, based out of Mammoth Lakes, knows something about the outdoors. We’ve fallen in love with them over the years as they have an outstanding price-to-quality ratio.

So, head to Ridge Merino below and see if the Hyde Dress is the right Merino wool dress for you!

Best Merino Wool Dress For Special Events

Wolford Merino Rib Dress

63% Merino wool, 35% Cotton, & 2% Elastane | Full-knit | 6 colors | $$$$$+

Pros: Hugs curves spectacularly | Elegant, classic style | Unique wide-ribbed design

Cons: Most expensive dress overall | Not 100% Merino wool

Work. It. Girl. You’ll look hot as sh*t in this Wolford Merino rib dress. The tight fit accentuates your curves nicely, and you’ll look the baddest b*tch at the party.

The unique wide-ribbed design and high neck make this an excellent choice for special events in the colder months. Just throw on a pair of Merino Jacquard Tights and slay queen.

Although, this dress is expensive. Like, super expensive. For reference, you can buy about five other Merino wool dresses for the same price. Still, the quality is 1000% worth it. I wish there were more Merino wool in the fabric, but the high-class cotton is just as soft and luxurious.

So, if you want to turn some heads the next time you’re at a social gathering, consider the Wolford Merino Rib Dress. With six stylish colors to match your preferences, you have no excuse not to look good in this dress!

Final Note On The Best Merino Wool Dresses

Dress them up, dress them down. Accessorize, glamorize, and leave them all mesmerized. Knock them all dead with a Merino wool dress. Trust the girl who wears them always: they look – and feel – f***ng amazing.

So, if you want a new Merino wool dress this season, consider the top ten picks I mentioned. I sifted through the junk, tested the best, and gave you the needed info! Just remember the ‘Four F’s‘ so you don’t get ‘F’ed‘ by knockoff brands.

And, outside of these cozy, stylish dresses, we do all sorts of round-ups, reviews, and fact sheets on our favorite clothing material: Merino. Follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter below.

Thanks for undressing the ten best Merino wool dresses with me. And remember to join the flock!