I have several dresses in my summer wardrobe, but my newest addition to my closet is the coolest. Columbia’s Freezer III dress is part of the brand’s PFG (Performance Fishing Gear) line, and as the name implies, it claims to keep you cool during the blistering summer months — something I can’t say goes for any of my other dresses. At first glance, this performance dress and Amazon bestseller doesn’t look like much, but looks can be deceiving. It does, in fact, live up to its promise, keeping me cool even in almost 80-degree weather. After spending four days wearing this cooling dress both indoors and outdoors, I’m already considering purchasing the maxi version of it. Here’s why.
This Amazon bestseller, made from a polyester and elastane jersey, features cooling and sweat-wicking technology that keeps you comfortable and dry all day long. The dress also has a UPF rating of 50 and comes in a range of colors and sizes.
What I liked about it
It keeps you cool
Stretchy, lightweight and breathable, the Columbia Freezer III Dress is constructed from a polyester and elastane jersey mix, which feels just like your typical bathing suit material. The fabric is made with the brand’s Omni-Freeze technology, which provides a cooling effect. Specially shaped flat yarns are woven together, which allows heat to be drawn away from your body. I knew this dress was the real deal when I was able to make it through a 30-minute Peloton cycling class feeling comfortable and dry. Though the dress doesn’t have any built-in shorts, you can easily throw on a pair of spandex biker shorts for additional coverage or slip on some breathable boxer shorts.
There’s also the dress’ sweat-wicking abilities, courtesy of the brand’s Omni-Wick technology, which draws moisture to the fabric’s surface to keep you dry. This means that you no longer have to worry about visible sweat marks. I also wore the dress on a nature walk when the temps were just shy of 80 degrees, and I was impressed with how well it kept me cool during my walk. Although I applied a lot of sunscreen and bug spray before I headed out, it’s an added bonus that the dress also boasts Columbia’s Omni-Shade technology, which helps shield your body from the sun by blocking UVA and UVB rays.
It’s flattering and versatile
Technically, the Columbia Freezer III Dress is marketed for fishing, but I’ve also worn this dress while working from home and can see it working for so many other occasions, like BBQs and beach days, especially when the temperature is high. The dress is machine-washable (cold wash and tumble dry on low) and wrinkle resistant, making it an ideal choice for travel, which is great when you have somewhere you need to be right off the plane and don’t want to worry about changing your outfit.
Additionally, I’m 5 feet 5 inches, and the dress falls just a few inches above my knees, so I don’t have to worry about the dress riding up. The pull-on style also makes it easy to slip on and off. Plus, it’s available in a range of different colors and in sizes XS to 3X.
What I didn’t like about it
There isn’t much to complain about when it comes to this dress. It looks good, it’s comfortable to wear and, most importantly, it keeps you cool, but I do wish it had pockets, and it would be nice if underwear lines weren’t as visible.
Bottom line
The Columbia Freezer III Dress does for me what the other dresses in my wardrobe can’t: It keeps me cool and dry even when it’s scorching hot outside. It’s equal parts flattering and practical, and something I’m sure I’ll reach for again and again this summer. And right now, it’s on sale!
