You’ve seen it all too often. The grown adult at the airport awaiting their flight wearing the rattiest pajamas and flip flops, causing you to momentarily wonder whether you’ve walked into a public place or someone’s living room. The scene is always jarring to me, particularly after returning from more fashionable destinations, where it may be considered disrespectful to others to dress sloppily in their presence. While I’d never go up to someone to give them advice (and even though chances are, readers here are very, very unlikely to be dressed that way in public), I wanted to share my airplane outfit formula, which works the same no matter your style or the purpose of your trip.
Without further ado, because it’s such a simple formula that I promise will not shock you:
Outer Layer + Top + Pant + Accessory + Shoe = Celebrity Airport Photo
When the right items are combined correctly, this combination is failproof, taking you from the airport, into a taxi/on the metro, and on to wherever your first stop is (hopefully it’s brunch).
Even if your destination is not brunch (so sorry!), you’ll look put together in any environment. Today I’m sharing three travel-friendly outfits for three vastly different occasions and styles: a business trip look, a casual-chic ensemble, and since it’s everywhere these days, a composed athleisure outfit.
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An Outfit for a Business Trip
Blazer* | Tee | Loafers* | Slim Ankle Pants* | Necklace* | Ring | Leather Zipper Tote
Why it works
This outfit is all about the fit and the fabric. It’s important to find fabrics that move with you yet do not appear rumpled after a long flight (a beautifully lived-in look can wait until another day!). Here I’ve combined a dark, slim, stretchy pant with a soft and feminine top and a pair of more masculine loafers. Alone, these items are fairly standard and comfortable, but the addition of a grey blazer adds further interest to the color palette and balances out the more form-fitting shape.
Breaking it down
The blazer* I’m wearing here is made of merino wool, a fabric that tends to hold odors less easily than others, ideal for smelly airplanes and working up a sweat rushing through the airport. It drapes well but is warm enough to fight the chill of the airplane’s overhead air vents.
Loafers* are practical shoes for travel and work. I usually go sockless with TSA Precheck, but you could also wear a thin shoe liner to get through security.
This tote is my current work bag, and it always holds whatever I need it to without complaint. It is ideal for overnight work trips: holding your pajamas, a second outfit, and a laptop, yet once unpacked at your destination acts as a highly polished work tote. Flying is not the time to bring your cute open-topped tote; it’s better to use a tote with a zipper for security and to prevent items from spilling out under the seat.
I also like to let the tote take the driver’s seat as an accessory here – when attending meetings or speaking in front of others, it’s best not to let your outfit overpower you. Minimal clothing and jewelry keep you comfortable, which allows you to be the focus.
A Casual-Chic Travel Outfit
Silk Top* | Oversized Cardigan* | High-Rise Jeans | Leather Flats | Necklace* | Watch* | Ring* | Earrings* | Crossbody Bag*
Why it works
While the shoes and the eye-catching silhouettes of the top and outerwear skew this look to current and chic, the jeans tone everything back down. I love the mix of fabric finishes here: rough denim with nubby raw silk and a soft, fuzzy sweater. The luxurious fabrics don’t overtly announce themselves; rather they are presented subtly with movement. In the same regard, the shoes are a simple design, but as they are crafted by hand out of one piece of leather with a soft sole, they demand attention – but only once they catch your eye.
Breaking it down
These jeans are my newest denim addition, and so far I’ve flown in them four times without complaint, for up to three hours per flight. The high-rise is simultaneously retro and modern, and the raw hems add an air of ease.
By combining a fitted bottom and two oversized top pieces, this silhouette remains balanced but not uninteresting. A heavier necklace* and a crossbody bag* work to keep the oversized pieces a little closer to the body and from feeling overwhelming.
Minimal accessories make getting through security a breeze; I’ve never set off the metal detector with this watch or necklace. When flying long distances, having a watch* with two timezones is a helpful tool for adjusting my body’s internal clock as much as possible before takeoff (and for contacting family once we’ve landed).
This crossbody pouch* is my favorite bag for use domestically, where pickpocketing is less of an issue. It holds just enough for my day before and after my flight and fits easily in my travel tote.
I’ve saved the best detail for last: these shoes. Designed to feel like socks with soles, I can wear these shoes for hours on end and I’ve never once received a blister. They keep my toes warm without causing my feet to sweat and allow me freedom of movement all day.
An Athleisure Travel Outfit
Leggings | Tank* | Sweatshirt | Gum Sole Sneakers* | Bandana* | Baseball Cap | Backpack*
Why it works
This look feels very much unlike my day-to-day style, but it is often what I wear on overnight flights. And I’m happy to say that the original items shown here are from ethical makers. I’m still not quite sold on the leggings-as-pants trend, but sometimes you just don’t need the bulk and hassle of traditional pant closures, you know?
Breaking it down
The compressive feature of these leggings is accurate, and they really work to hold you in, helping to reduce the discomfort of bloating which often occurs on a flight.
Along with a colorful bandana* and a minimal cap*, a cool, cotton, striped tank* acts as a base layer and also adds visual interest, even when wearing something over it. I particularly like this one as it is bra-friendly and resists wrinkles.
My sweatshirt is surprisingly elegant, at least as far as sweatshirts go. The pleat at the back and the small metal pin at the nape of the neck elevate this from house-wear to outside-wear. The sleeves have a lovely crossover, and the chest pocket is a thoughtful touch.
I leave my jewelry off on overnight flights, as I can’t sleep in earrings at all. The bandana keeps my neck warm if I’m cold, or it can turn into a hair accessory if hat hair becomes an issue.
White sneakers used to be a no-no for travel abroad, and now they are a must. I wear these with everything from jeans to dresses, and I love the retro gum sole. Here, they really chop up this all-black look nicely. Chances are you’ll find me in this ensemble next weekend, as we hop on a nine-hour flight to Brussels.
*this item is no longer available and a similar product is linked
What is your favorite outfit to wear on a long flight?
See you Saturday for this week’s Journal post!
The last outfit is so adorable, and in line with what I would probably wear. Although it depends on how long the flight is. Shorter flight I’ll wear jeans. On a longer flight, I’m more likely to wear leggings or sweatpants. I’ve been looking for a baseball cap, and for some reason, it’s been really hard! I’ll make sure to check out your links.
Aww, thanks! I will definitely be wearing the third outfit a week from now.
It’s tough to find a good baseball cap without a lot of branding (even the Everlane one says “Everlane” on the strap). Best of luck!
That leggings are just awesome. Is it pure black or midnight black? It relies upon to what extent the flight is. Shorter flight I’ll wear pants. On a more extended flight, I’m bound to wear tights or warm-up pants. I’ve been searching for a baseball top, and for reasons unknown, it’s been extremely hard.