I've Perfected the In-Flight Travel Uniform—Here's How to Build Comfortable Airport Outfits

23.07.2024 - 19:38 / cntraveler.com

As a professional travel writer, I cover a lot of ground. This year, I’m hopping on several flights per month ranging from long-hauls to Vietnam, Cape Town, and Hawaii, to slightly shorter jaunts to Paris, Rome, and Greenland—a whopping 77,000+ miles so far and counting. One thing that’s hugely important on any trip? Staying comfortable in transit.

With all that time in the air, I've perfected my travel uniform, aka the comfortable airport outfit I always wear for long travel days, no matter where I’m headed. My trusty formula almost never veers from the relaxed clothing staples below, from supportive shoes to the perfect tee and a sleek bomber jacket. Read on for my tried-and-true picks that always keep me looking and feeling my best on every journey.

Supportive, comfortable shoes are the essential building blocks to my travel uniform. I rotate between a few different styles, but no matter the pair, they’re always sneakers I can rush around the airport in and wear socks with in case I need to take my shoes off in a security line. A podiatrist recently recommended I try a pair of shoes from Allbirds because of how lightweight and cushioned they are. I particularly love Allbirds’ Wool Runner Mizzles because they’re water-resistant, making them perfect for any terrain or weather I encounter when I land. I also love my stylish Vejas if I need a versatile white sneaker, as well as Kiziks, since they offer all the support of a sneaker but don’t need to be laced up—ideal for slipping on and off in the airport security line.

A basic pair of black pants provides a neutral base for my comfortable airport outfits that goes with just about anything I wear and doesn’t show stains or wrinkles after long travel days. My go-to travel pants are the Aday Turn It Up pants for a few reasons: They’re as comfortable as pajamas but are tailored, so they still look elevated enough to wear out to dinner upon arrival; plus, they don’t wrinkle, which is a huge bonus after sitting on the plane for hours. A similar look is Banana Republic’s stretchy Ponte pant you can dress up or down, as well as Everlane’s Easy pant. And while I previously swore off wearing sweatpants or athleisure to airports (call me old fashioned!) some particularly well-designed, sleek joggers have swayed me and are now in my rotation for long-haul flights—especially Cozy Earth CityScape sweatpants and the buttery-soft Vuori Performance jogger, both of which look great with a bomber jacket.

Probably the most used, versatile item in my wardrobe is a plain white tee. I love the flattering fit of this one from Madewell; it goes with everything in my suitcase—under a blazer, bomber, or on its own with jeans, joggers, or skirts, and it can easily be dressed up