Travel Outfit
As someone who practically lives out of a suitcase, splitting my time between running a travel advisory and creating content as a long-time travel blogger, I’ve mastered the art of dressing for long journeys. Countless red-eye flights to Europe have turned me into something of an expert on long flight outfits.
Long-haul flights are synonymous with hours of being confined, and let’s be honest, the potential stress of travel hiccups like lost luggage, tight connections, or flight delays. That’s why having your go-to travel essentials and a reliable, comfortable yet versatile outfit can significantly reduce travel anxiety. I’ve learned this firsthand.
Elevating Your Long Flight Outfits: Comfort Meets Style
My philosophy for dressing for long flights is always to strike the perfect balance: looking presentable while prioritizing comfortable clothes. When you’re creating your packing list for that lengthy plane ride, consider this: your travel outfit doesn’t have to be an afterthought. It can be stylish and functional, allowing you to step off the plane ready to explore your destination immediately.
Think about the entire travel experience. Navigating airplane bathrooms in complicated bodysuits or jumpsuits is less than ideal. Coats with numerous buttons can be a hassle at airport security, and constantly removing layers for metal detectors is inconvenient. Personally, flip-flops are a no-go for me; they aren’t practical if you need to rush between gates, and frankly, not the most hygienic choice for extended travel. Jeans on overnight flights? I avoid them whenever possible.
This guide is packed with outfit ideas specifically designed for 30,000 feet, featuring brands I personally rely on for travel. These brands not only create travel-friendly clothing but also pieces that seamlessly integrate into your travel wardrobe throughout your trip.
Keep reading for long flight outfit inspiration, and for more travel tips and style ideas, be sure to follow me on Instagram at @meghandono and @enroutetoreverie.
Key Features of Comfortable Travel Clothes
Before diving into specific outfit ideas, let’s outline the key characteristics of Comfortable Travel Clothes. These are the features to look for when selecting your perfect long-flight ensemble:
- Soft, Breathable Fabrics: Opt for natural fabrics like cotton, merino wool, cashmere, and linen, or high-quality synthetic blends designed for breathability and moisture-wicking. Avoid stiff or scratchy materials.
- Loose and Relaxed Fit: Comfort is king on long flights. Choose clothes that allow for a full range of motion and won’t feel constricting after hours of sitting.
- Layering Options: Airplane cabins can fluctuate in temperature. Layers are essential to adapt to changing conditions. Cardigans, wraps, light jackets, and hoodies are your best friends.
- Wrinkle-Resistant Materials: Arrive looking fresh, even after a long flight, by choosing fabrics that resist wrinkles. Merino wool, high-quality knits, and some synthetic blends are excellent choices.
- Easy to Launder: Travel-friendly clothes should ideally be easy to wash and quick to dry, whether you’re hand-washing in a hotel sink or using laundry services on the go.
- Versatility: Choose pieces that can be mixed and matched and worn in various settings, not just on the plane. This maximizes your wardrobe and minimizes packing.
- Practical Details: Consider features like pockets for storing essentials, adjustable waistbands for comfort, and closures that are easy to manage in small spaces like airplane bathrooms.
Now, let’s explore some specific comfortable travel outfit ideas that embody these key features.
Comfy Separates: Your Cozy Go-To
Cozy Yet Stylish Travel Outfit for What to Wear on a Long Flight by wit & whimsy
For those ultra-long flights where immediate post-landing commitments are minimal, or when I know I can change upon arrival, comfy separates are my ultimate choice. This is the epitome of comfortable travel clothes.
Think soft joggers paired with a luxurious cashmere hoodie or a warm merino wool sweater. I’m perpetually cold on planes, so a cashmere hoodie, like my favorite Jenni Kayne one, is indispensable for staying snug and comfortable. The key here is soft, breathable fabrics that feel gentle against your skin for hours on end.
Coatigan + Athleisure: Elevated Comfort
A coatigan is a travel wardrobe hero. It’s substantial enough to count as outerwear, saving valuable luggage space, and instantly elevates athleisure wear, making it suitable for more than just the plane.
This Vuori coatigan is a perfect example. Pair it with your favorite leggings or joggers and a comfortable tee for a travel outfit that’s both stylish and incredibly comfortable. The coatigan adds a touch of sophistication while maintaining the relaxed vibe essential for long flights.
Vuori Lounge Set for What to wear on a long flight by wit and whimsy
Matching Lounge Set: Effortless Chic Comfort
For an effortlessly put-together look that doesn’t compromise on comfort, a matching lounge set is a winning formula. It’s the easiest way to look stylish while feeling completely relaxed.
The lounge set pictured above is from Vuori – one of my absolute favorite athleisure brands. Their pieces are incredibly soft, well-made, and designed for comfort without sacrificing style. (Related: Vuori Review). Many brands offer stylish lounge sets in various fabrics, from soft knits to breathable cotton blends, ensuring you find the perfect level of warmth and comfort for your flight.
Matching Knit Set: Warmth and Versatility
Kilte Knit Set for Travel
Ideal for winter travel, a matching knit set of separates is not only supremely comfortable for the flight but also incredibly versatile for your destination. You can remix and re-match the pieces throughout your trip, maximizing your wardrobe options.
This set from Kilte exceeded my expectations. The quality is exceptional, it feels incredibly luxurious, and it’s both comfortable and polished. I’m wearing a size 2 for reference. Paired with my favorite Adidas Gazelle sneakers, this outfit is perfect for navigating airports and exploring your destination in comfort and style.
Trouser + Sneakers: Polished Comfort for Warmer Climates
Travel Outfit
For warmer weather long flights, especially to Europe, I often opt for light-colored trousers and a light knit jacket. Layering a favorite tee under the knit jacket adds versatility and comfort.
I’m wearing the Sezane Betty Jacket (size L) and the Artizia Effortless Pant (size 8 – recommend sizing up!). This combination offers a more polished look than athleisure while still prioritizing comfort. Breathable trousers in linen or lightweight blends are ideal for warmer climates, and a knit jacket provides just the right amount of warmth for air-conditioned cabins.
Knit Sweater Jacket + Trench + Trousers: Sophisticated and Practical
Travel Outfit
This is my go-to outfit for flights like New York to London, where I need to be ready to go upon arrival. It combines sophistication with ultimate comfort. My comfiest trousers, a knit lady jacket that I can style in various ways throughout my trip, and my trench coat, which is always the bulkiest coat I pack, making it perfect to wear on the plane.
These J.Crew Trousers are my absolute favorite travel pants for long flights to Europe when I need to hit the ground running and won’t have immediate access to my hotel room to change. (Wearing an 8 – recommend sizing up). This outfit is a masterclass in layering – adaptable to changing temperatures and stylish enough for any arrival scenario.
Linen Set: Breezy Summer Comfort
What to wear on a long flight
For summer travels, especially to warmer destinations, consider a comfortable yet put-together linen set. Linen is incredibly breathable and comfortable in warm weather, and a matching set looks effortlessly chic. These breezy separates can also double as swimwear cover-ups or casual poolside attire for the rest of your trip if you’re headed to the beach or pool.
For an extra layer, I always, always fly with my favorite cashmere travel wrap, which I own in three colors. It serves as a blanket, a wrap, or a scarf, keeping me warm and cozy throughout the flight. A linen set paired with a cashmere wrap is the epitome of summer travel comfort and style.
The Travel Cardigan: Your Versatile Layering Piece
White Company Boyfriend Cardigan
What I’ve affectionately dubbed “The Travel Cardigan” – a cardigan specifically chosen for comfortable travel days, like this one. It’s the ultimate layering piece for any travel outfit. Pair it with leggings or your most comfortable pair of jeans for a cozy and practical travel ensemble.
A versatile cardigan can be dressed up or down, and it’s easy to remove and pack if you get too warm. Look for cardigans in soft, breathable materials like merino wool, cashmere, or cotton blends for maximum comfort on long flights.
Athleisure + a Trench Coat: Street Style Comfort
What to wear on a long flight
For spring trips, I’m always packing one of my favorite trench coats. It’s the perfect outerwear piece to elevate a comfortable athleisure set. Pair your favorite matching athleisure set with sneakers, top it off with a trench coat, and add a ball cap for a cool, off-duty street-style vibe.
This combination is both comfortable and stylish, perfect for navigating airports and exploring cities. The trench coat adds a layer of sophistication, while the athleisure set ensures maximum comfort during your flight.
Comfy Leggings: When Comfort is Paramount
Vuori Athleisure Outfit
While I’m generally not one to wear yoga pants on a plane, I make exceptions for my favorite comfy leggings for long plane rides. Sometimes, ultimate comfort is the top priority, and high-quality leggings deliver just that.
(Related: All My Favorite Leggings). Choose leggings made from soft, breathable, and supportive fabrics. Pair them with an oversized sweater or a comfortable tunic for a relaxed and travel-friendly outfit.
T-Shirt Dress: Effortless Summer Style
What to wear on a long flight
For spring and summer travels where heavy layers aren’t necessary, consider a cute midi t-shirt dress. It’s comfortable, versatile, and effortlessly stylish. A t-shirt dress is easy to dress up or down, making it a great option for travel and beyond.
Choose a t-shirt dress in a soft, breathable fabric like cotton or modal. Pair it with sneakers for a casual travel look or dress it up with sandals for exploring your destination.
Joggers: The Domestic Travel Staple
Vuori Joggers
A go-to comfy pant for me, especially for domestic travel involving longer flights, are my Vuori Joggers. They are incredibly soft and comfortable, and when styled thoughtfully, they still maintain a put-together appearance.
If I know I can be casual upon landing, this is often my go-to look for long flights. It’s a frequent choice when traveling from New York to California. Joggers offer the comfort of sweatpants with a more streamlined and stylish silhouette, making them a great compromise for travel.
Matching Half Zip Set: Sporty and Stylish Comfort
What to wear on a long flight
A matching set with a half-zip top is a fantastic option for comfortable and stylish long-flight travel. Brands like Varley and Spanx offer some of my personal favorites.
The Spanx AirEssentials Zip Up and these AirEssentials pants are made from an amazing fabric – cozy yet cool and incredibly comfortable. I wear a size M in both, as you can see on me below.
For more budget-friendly options, you can find great sets on Amazon.
Another excellent option is this Frank & Eileen travel set. I own it in a size M. It’s made from super high-quality, comfy triple fleece that’s warm but not overly hot. The brand offers a range of chic and practical travel sets.
Get a similar look for less with this set from Amazon. Half-zip sets offer a sporty and stylish vibe while providing exceptional comfort for long flights.
Satin Pants: Elevated Comfort and Style
Frank & Eileen Travel Set
Satin pants are a dream to travel in. They are incredibly comfortable yet slightly dressed up, offering a step above traditional loungewear. I wear them with heels for evenings out once I arrive at my destination, or dress them down with sneakers, as shown below, for a day of exploring.
I especially love the Varley satin pants (I wear a size S). The LaLigne Colby pant and Jenni Kayne Demi Pant are also fantastic if you prefer a wider leg.
Satin Trousers Airplane Look
These Toteme patterned silk pants are perfect for airplane travel. They feel like pajamas but look elevated and beautiful. I wear a size 36. Satin and silk pants offer a luxurious feel against the skin while providing a polished and comfortable travel outfit option.
Travel Bra: Comfort and Support in the Air
Satin Toteme Pants and Jenni Kayne Oversized Sweater
Underwire bras are definitely not ideal for long flights. Comfort is key, so I always opt for a really comfortable yet supportive bra like this one or this one.
A comfortable travel bra is a foundational piece for any long flight outfit. Look for wireless bras made from soft, breathable materials that provide support without digging or constricting.
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Don’t forget to consider traveling with compression socks as an essential in-flight item. Compression socks help alleviate tired, achy feet and are crucial for preventing deep vein thrombosis and blood clots, which can be a risk during extended travel in a pressurized cabin.
And if you’re a travel pillow enthusiast, make sure you have it packed. I personally always try to sleep on overnight flights, and I can only manage to do so successfully when I pack this eye mask. Even a few hours of sleep on a long flight can significantly reduce jet lag upon arrival.
For an extra layer of comfort, I highly recommend this bra to wear on your long flight.
Shop Travel Outfit Ideas
The curated selections above feature brands I personally love and shop. I hope this guide helps you as you plan your next trip!
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