Embarking on a journey, whether it’s a short hop or a long-haul flight, requires thoughtful planning, and that includes your Travel Attire. As someone who’s constantly traveling and sharing advice on En Route to Reverie, I understand the importance of selecting the right travel outfit. Comfort is key, especially on long flights, but style shouldn’t be sacrificed. Your travel attire should be versatile enough to handle the journey and allow you to step out confidently upon arrival.
Long flights can be taxing, with cramped spaces and potential travel hiccups like lost luggage or flight delays. Having your travel essentials and a dependable, comfortable yet stylish outfit can significantly reduce travel stress. When considering your packing list, think about your travel attire not just as something to wear on the plane, but as a crucial part of your travel experience. Your outfit can set the tone for your trip, allowing you to feel prepared and ready to explore from the moment you land.
This guide is dedicated to helping you curate the perfect travel attire, focusing on long flight outfits that balance comfort and style. We’ll explore various outfit ideas and highlight brands known for travel-friendly clothing, ensuring you’re well-dressed and comfortable throughout your journey. For daily travel inspiration and tips, follow @meghandono and @enroutetoreverie.
Essential Elements of Perfect Travel Attire
Woman in comfortable yet stylish travel attire, featuring a cozy sweater and trousers, perfect for long flights.
Choosing the right travel attire involves considering several factors beyond just aesthetics. Comfort, practicality, and versatility are paramount, especially for long journeys. Let’s delve into the key elements that make up the ideal travel attire.
Comfort is Non-Negotiable
Comfort should be your top priority when selecting travel attire, particularly for long flights. Think soft, breathable fabrics that allow for movement and won’t feel restrictive after hours of sitting. Avoid anything too tight or scratchy. Comfortable clothing helps you relax and even get some rest during your journey.
Style Meets Functionality
While comfort is crucial, your travel attire should also reflect your personal style. Looking put-together can boost your confidence and make you feel more prepared for your travels. The key is to find pieces that are both stylish and functional. Think versatile items that can be dressed up or down once you reach your destination.
Practicality for Travel
Practicality is another essential aspect of travel attire. Consider the entire travel process, from airport security to airplane bathrooms. Avoid outfits with too many layers that might be cumbersome at security checks, or complicated closures that are inconvenient in small airplane restrooms. Footwear should also be practical – comfortable for walking through airports and suitable for various terrains at your destination. Opt for shoes that are easy to slip on and off, especially when passing through security.
Versatility for Your Destination
Your travel attire should ideally be versatile enough to wear beyond just the journey. Choose pieces that can be mixed and matched with other items in your luggage, allowing you to create different looks once you arrive. This is especially helpful for carry-on travelers looking to minimize packing. Consider the climate of your destination and choose attire that can be adapted to different weather conditions, perhaps through layering.
Travel Attire Ideas for Long Flights
Now, let’s explore specific travel attire ideas that perfectly blend comfort, style, and practicality for long flights. These suggestions are designed to keep you comfortable during your journey and stylish upon arrival.
Comfy Separates: Joggers and Cozy Hoodie
Woman wearing a comfortable travel outfit with joggers and a cashmere hoodie, ideal for long flights where comfort is key.
For ultimate comfort on long flights, especially when you can change upon arrival, comfy separates are an excellent choice. A pair of soft joggers combined with a cashmere hoodie or merino wool sweater is a go-to outfit. Cashmere or merino wool provides warmth without bulk and feels luxurious against the skin. This combination is perfect for staying cozy in often chilly airplane cabins.
Coatigan and Athleisure: Elevated Comfort
Travel attire featuring an oversized cardigan (coatigan) layered over leggings and a tee, blending style and comfort for air travel.
Elevate your athleisure look by adding a coatigan. A coatigan, a hybrid of a coat and cardigan, is a stylish and practical layering piece for travel. It adds warmth and sophistication to athleisure wear, taking it from casual to effortlessly chic. Pair a coatigan with comfortable leggings or joggers and a basic tee for a travel outfit that’s both comfortable and presentable. This Vuori coatigan is a fantastic option.
Matching Lounge Set: Effortless Style
Woman in a matching Vuori lounge set, showcasing a coordinated and comfortable outfit perfect for stylish travel.
For an effortlessly put-together look that doesn’t compromise on comfort, a matching lounge set is ideal travel attire. Coordinating sets eliminate the guesswork of pairing separates and create a polished yet relaxed appearance. Brands like Vuori offer a variety of stylish and incredibly comfortable lounge sets perfect for travel.
Matching Knit Set: Warmth and Elegance
Travel attire idea featuring a Kilte knit set in a neutral color, demonstrating a chic and cozy option for colder flights.
When traveling in cooler climates or during winter, a matching knit set provides both warmth and style. Knit sets are comfortable, cozy, and can be easily re-mixed and matched with other items in your travel wardrobe once you reach your destination. This set from Kilte is a luxurious and comfortable option. Pair it with sneakers like Adidas Gazelles for a practical yet fashionable travel ensemble.
Trousers and Sneakers: Smart Casual Travel
Travel outfit idea with light trousers and sneakers, offering a smart casual and comfortable look suitable for warmer weather flights.
For warmer weather long flights, opt for light-colored trousers paired with sneakers. This combination offers a smart casual look that’s comfortable and breathable. Add a light knit jacket or cardigan for layering, and a basic tee underneath for versatility. This travel attire is perfect for flights to Europe in milder seasons, allowing you to look stylish while staying comfortable. Consider pairing Sezane Betty Jacket with Artizia Effortless Pant for a chic and comfortable travel outfit.
Knit Sweater Jacket, Trench, and Trousers: Layered Sophistication
Woman wearing a layered travel outfit with a knit sweater jacket, trench coat, and trousers, perfect for navigating different climates during travel.
For journeys that involve varying climates or when you need to arrive looking polished, layering is key. Combine a knit sweater jacket with a trench coat and comfortable trousers. A trench coat is a timeless travel staple, offering both style and practicality. J.Crew Trousers are excellent travel pants, especially when paired with a knit lady jacket and your favorite trench. This ensemble is sophisticated, comfortable, and adaptable to different temperatures.
Linen Set: Breezy Summer Travel
Travel attire featuring a linen set, showcasing a lightweight and breathable option ideal for summer travel and warmer destinations.
For summer travels, especially to beach destinations, a linen set is a fantastic choice for travel attire. Linen is breathable, lightweight, and effortlessly stylish. A linen set can double as a beach cover-up or casual wear once you arrive. Always carry a cashmere travel wrap for extra warmth on the plane. It serves as a blanket, scarf, or wrap, ensuring comfort in fluctuating cabin temperatures.
Travel Cardigan and Leggings: Classic Comfort
Travel cardigan paired with leggings, illustrating a comfortable and versatile outfit combination perfect for travel days.
A long, comfortable cardigan, deemed “The Travel Cardigan,” paired with leggings or comfortable jeans is a classic travel attire combination. A travel cardigan is a versatile layering piece that provides warmth and comfort. The White Company Boyfriend Cardigan is a great example. This outfit is simple, comfortable, and always appropriate for travel.
Athleisure and Trench Coat: Street Style Edge
Athleisure outfit with a trench coat and ball cap, demonstrating a sporty yet stylish travel look with a street style vibe.
Combine athleisure wear with a trench coat for a travel attire that exudes street style chic. Pair a matching athleisure set with sneakers, top it off with a trench coat and a ball cap for an effortlessly cool, off-duty vibe. This look is both comfortable and fashionable, perfect for travelers who appreciate a sporty edge.
Comfy Leggings: Relaxed Travel Days
Travel attire featuring comfortable leggings, showing a relaxed and easy-to-wear option for long flights.
While not always the first choice for airplane outfits, comfortable leggings can be a lifesaver for long flights when comfort is paramount. Choose a high-quality, comfortable pair of leggings and style them with an oversized sweater or tunic top. Refer to guides like “All My Favorite Leggings” for recommendations on the best leggings for travel.
T-Shirt Dress: Simple Summer Style
Woman in a t-shirt dress, showcasing a simple, comfortable, and versatile dress option for spring and summer travel attire.
For spring and summer travel, a midi t-shirt dress offers a comfortable and versatile travel attire option. T-shirt dresses are easy to wear, breathable, and can be dressed up or down depending on your destination and activities. Pair it with sneakers for a casual travel look or sandals for warmer climates.
Joggers: Go-To for Domestic Travel
Vuori joggers as part of a travel outfit, highlighting joggers as a soft and comfortable pant choice for casual travel days.
Joggers are a reliable and comfortable pant choice for domestic travel, especially for longer flights. Vuori Joggers are particularly popular for their softness and comfortable fit. When styled well, joggers can look put-together enough for travel while providing ultimate comfort. They are an excellent go-to for flights where you can embrace a more casual arrival style.
Matching Half Zip Set: Sporty and Chic
Woman wearing a matching half-zip set, demonstrating a sporty and stylish coordinated outfit suitable for comfortable air travel.
A matching half-zip set is a sporty and chic option for comfortable travel attire. Sets from brands like Varley and Spanx are known for their style and comfort. The Spanx AirEssentials Zip Up and AirEssentials pants are made from a cozy yet cool fabric perfect for travel.
Satin Pants: Elevated Comfort
Woman in satin trousers as part of an airplane outfit, showcasing satin pants as a comfortable yet dressier travel option.
Satin pants offer a luxurious and comfortable travel attire choice that’s slightly more dressed up than typical lounge wear. They are soft against the skin and drape beautifully. Wear them with sneakers for a relaxed travel look or dress them up with heels once you reach your destination. Varley satin pants, LaLigne Colby pant, and Jenni Kayne Demi Pant are excellent options.
Patterned Silk Pants: Pajama-Level Comfort with Style
Woman wearing patterned silk pants and an oversized sweater, illustrating a luxurious and comfortable travel outfit resembling stylish pajamas.
For ultimate comfort that feels like pajamas but looks elevated, consider patterned silk pants. Toteme patterned silk pants are an excellent example, offering pajama-level comfort with a sophisticated aesthetic. Pair them with an oversized sweater for a cozy and chic travel ensemble.
The Essential Travel Bra: Underwire-Free Comfort
Frank & Eileen travel set displayed, highlighting high-quality and comfortable travel sets perfect for stylish and cozy journeys.
No travel attire is complete without a comfortable bra. For long flights, underwire bras are a definite no-no. Opt for a comfortable yet supportive bra like this one or this one. Comfort in undergarments is just as important as your outer layers for long-haul travel.
Travel Accessories: Compression Socks, Pillow, and Eye Mask
Complete your travel attire with essential accessories. Compression socks are crucial for long flights to aid circulation and prevent discomfort. If you use a travel pillow, don’t forget to pack it. An eye mask is invaluable for sleeping on overnight flights, helping to combat jet lag. And for ultimate comfort, consider a comfy bra like this one.
Shop Travel Attire Ideas
These curated selections feature brands I personally love and trust for travel. I hope this guide helps you choose your perfect travel attire for your next adventure!
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