I’ve been on the go a lot lately, and I often get questions about what I wear when I travel—especially when I fly. So today I’m rounding up some of my favorite travel outfits, including looks from every season. I have a basic formula I stick to when I fly, which makes packing and prepping for trips so much easier. The fewer decisions I have to make, the better!
SIZING NOTES: I’m 5’5″ and I usually wear a small or medium in tops and dresses, a 29 or 30 in jeans and pants, and a size 8 shoe. Gifted items are indicated by c/o; everything else I purchased myself.
On the way home from that trip, I wore a different sweater with the same jacket, jeans, and boots. I always try to rewear key pieces like this—it saves space in my suitcase and keeps packing simple without sacrificing style. This was a 5-day trip to Nashville with a mix of dinners out and sightseeing, and I managed it all with just a carry-on!
EVEREVE Aviator Bomber (S) // Stevie Pullover (S) // MOTHER jeans (29) // Veronica Beard boots (8.5)) // similar hoops // similar necklace
Travel Outfits for Long Flights (or When Comfort Takes Priority)
When I really want to prioritize comfort—especially for longer flights—I’ll wear joggers or some type of athletic pant. You all know about the Athleta Brooklyn Heights Cargo Pants I recently discovered. They’re lightweight, polished, and perfect for warm weather trips (and warm weather destinations, too!).
Z Supply tank (M) // EVEREVE utility jacket (M) // Athleta cargo pants in Aspen Olive (6) // On Cloud sneakers (9) // LAGOS earrings // similar necklace // AWAY The Everywhere Bag // AWAY The Medium
For our most recent trip to Florida, I paired these pants with a striped tank that I could also wear with shorts once we arrived, along with my On Cloud running sneakers. On the way down, I layered on my favorite black utility jacket for a more pulled-together look (above), but on the way home, I went full comfort mode and threw on my white fleece hoodie instead (below).
Gap Factory hoodie (S) // Z Supply tank (M) // Athleta Brooklyn Heights Cargo Pants in Aspen Olive (6) // On Cloud sneakers (9) // AWAY The Medium // AWAY The Everywhere Bag // NAGHEDI Nomad Hobo in Cashmere
I know a lot of people feel icked out by the idea of wearing wide-leg jeans to travel, especially because of the challenge of keeping the hems off the bathroom floor. I just pull them up at the knee and hold them off the ground, but if you really want to avoid that hassle altogether, take a look at the Athleta Endless High Rise Pant and the Athleta Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant. Both are reader favorites and popular choices among frequent travelers.
left: Athleta Endless High Rise Pant (6) // Nordstrom tee (S) // right: Athleta Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant // Athleta tee (M)
And of course, joggers are another option. I don’t always feel as pulled together wearing them, especially now that they aren’t quite as current as they were a few years ago, but sometimes practicality trumps style. They’re definitely a viable option for travel days, and my personal favorites are the Vuori Performance Joggers. They’re incredibly soft, stretchy, and lightweight—ideal for staying comfortable on long flights.
old denim jacket // Splendid tee (M) // Vuori joggers (M) // similar Brooks sneakers (9) // AWAY The Medium // LV Neverfull MM
Case in point: For a long-haul trip to Italy a few summers ago, I wore the lightweight Villa Jogger from Vuori. They were breathable, comfortable, and perfect for the long flight, along with a lightweight tee and my cozy Athleta Pranayama Wrap. That exact style is no longer available, but Vuori now offers the Villa Ankle Pant and the Villa Trouser in that same lightweight moisture-wicking fabric.
Vuori Sunset Easy Tee (S) // Vuori Villa Jogger c/o (S) // Athleta Pranayama Wrap (S) // Taos Plim Soul Lux (8.5) // Sheec Socks
All that to say, long-haul travel sometimes calls for slightly different priorities: comfort, layers, and fabrics that can handle being worn for hours on end. I’m actually in the process of finalizing my travel outfit for my upcoming flight to England next week, and I’ll be sure to update this post once I get that all sorted—stay tuned!
Luggage + Carry-On Bags
I have another blog post in the works with all the details on my favorite luggage, but I’ll quickly mention what I usually bring on board. My carry-on bag is typically a large tote that holds my laptop and other travel essentials. If I’m using a carry-on suitcase, the tote counts as my personal item, and I stash my purse (usually a crossbody bag) inside so I have it handy once we arrive.
Splendid Diana French Terry Blazer (S) // Sanctuary tee (M) // Citizens jeans (29) (budget option) // Paul Green Hadley (8) (budget option) // similar belt // similar camera bag // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On // Goyard tote (similar for less)
A few years ago, I splurged on the Goyard Saint Louis GM bag. I found it second-hand on Fashionphile, and like most luxury items, the price has gone up significantly since then. For a more budget-friendly option, Tory Burch makes a great coated canvas zip tote, and Sam Edelman has an open monogrammed tote that gives a similar look for less. Neither one is quite as large as the Goyard, though—I haven’t found much that matches that size.
I like having a tote to use when I get to my destination, but it can be a bit unwieldy when propped on my suitcase. Plus, if I’m not careful, a few things may escape when I’m going through security, so I’ve started using the AWAY Everywhere Bag more recently. It’s compact, structured, and does a better job of keeping everything organized and zipped in place. It also slides securely onto my suitcase handle, which makes airport navigation a little easier.
EVEREVE Aviator Bomber (S) // Stevie Pullover (S) // Pistola Lennon (29) // similar sandals // similar necklace // Jenny Bird bangle // similar crossbody // AWAY The Everywhere Bag // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On
I’m working on a full post reviewing all of my AWAY luggage—so stay tuned for that!
See also: What’s In My Carry-On: My Go-To Travel Essentials and Travel Beauty Essentials: What’s In My Makeup Case and Toiletry Bag.
I hope this gave you some helpful outfit ideas for your next trip—whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or gearing up for a long-haul flight. Safe travels!
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