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Early morning flights just got so much easier.
Airport Outfit Essentials
- For a pop of personality: Anrabess Striped Gingham Palazzo Pants, $20 (originally $30)
- Lightweight and airy: Quince 100% European Linen Short Sleeve Popover Top, $42
- One-and-done look: Spanx AirEssentials Draped Sleeveless Jumpsuit, $99 (originally $148)
- Polished and comfy: Vivaia Square-toe Margot Mary Janes, $139
- Fits all your essentials: Triple Zip Crossbody Bag, $25
With more than 70 countries under my belt, I’ve spent more mornings than I can count screaming at my alarm at 3:30 am. I love to travel, but I do not love trying to figure out my airport outfit in pitch black because the sun isn’t even up yet. That’s why I rely on a very strict, formulaic airport outfit formula to help ease the decision-making process.
For me, it has to be comfortable enough for a long flight, stylish enough to go from the airport lounge to a work lunch after landing, and easy enough to put together in 10 minutes or less, so I can squeeze in a few extra minutes of sleep. Over the years, this formula has brought me to some important staples: comfortable pants in super flex fabrics, an easy, loose-fitting top with no buttons or zippers, a cozy layer for freezing air conditioning, a personal item bag that holds my essentials, and supportive, blister-free shoes that I can wear for sprinting through terminals if my gate changes.
Here are some of my favorite travel outfits that check all those boxes and will hopefully make your next early morning flight a little less stressful.
For the Maximalist Traveler
Bagsmart Reiki Crossbody | Anrabess Striped Gingham Palazzo PantsSave 33% |
Vivaia Aubrey Flats | Boden Embroidered SweaterSave 50% |
As a maximalist, I like big jewelry, bright colors, and lots of accessories. However, this dressing strategy doesn’t lend itself well to a quick airport outfit. The right outfit for someone with an eye for more is incorporating a statement color, like this bright red crossbody from Bagsmart. It adds a bold pop without bulk, is less than $40, and stores everything you need for the trip, like your passport, tablet, wallet, lipstick, and phone. Pair this with patterned pants in a soft fabric and with an elastic waist, like these Amazon palazzo bottoms, so you can stay comfy while still looking fun and flirty. For shoes, choose a cute pattern in a flexible material that you can wear all day—like these printed Vivaia loafers. Pair them with this embroidered Boden sweater, because not only is it really cozy and made from natural fibers, but it also adds a necessary pop of color.
For the Comfort-first Traveler
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Pullover Hoodie | Quince Mongolian Cashmere Sweatpants |
Bombas Everyday Compression Knee High Socks | Rothy’s The Court SneakerSave 26% |
I’m of the mindset that wearing jeans on an airplane is a punishable offense—especially on early morning flights. I can’t imagine anything worse than wearing pants that don’t come with an elastic waist. Instead, I gravitate towards matching sets that are cozy, lightweight, and stretchy, so I can doze off with ease as soon as the plane takes off.
This Quince matching set is so good, I have it in three colors. Made from 100 percent Mongolian cashmere, it feels incredibly soft against your skin. You may hear cashmere and think “hot” or “heavy,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Instead, it’s naturally temperature-regulating, so it’ll keep you cool when the airplane cabin is warm and stuffy, and warm when the AC kicks on. For added comfort, I simply do not travel without my trusty Bombas compression socks. I’ve had these for years, and they have changed the way I fly, to be honest. I used to suffer from the most uncomfortable swelling, but now, the compression relieves any potential swelling, giving me much more comfort when I’m traveling for a long time. I pair them with these washable Rothy’s sneakers that feel like you’re walking on clouds—you’ve honestly never been more comfortable flying.
For the Business Traveler
Pact Organic Cool Stretch Swing Cardigan | Pact Organic Coastal Gauze Lined Easy JacketSave 60% |
Quince 100% European Linen Wide-leg Pants | Vivaia Square-toe Margot Mary Janes |
When I’m traveling for work, I want to look put-together without feeling trapped or constrained in very uncomfortable clothes (aka, you’ll never find me traveling in a suit). Pieces that do double duty—combining comfort and style—are key here, because as much as I’d love to show up to a client meeting in a sweatset, I think my boss may want me to look slightly more professional, even if I’m arriving straight from the flight.
I turn to these linen trousers from Quince because they are, without exaggeration, my favorite pair of pants. They’re so comfortable that I even wear them around the house. Made from European linen, they’re lightweight and airy, and they come in many classic neutral colors that are easy to mix and match. Add on a basic tee or bodysuit, and then I opt for either a long bamboo cardigan, like this one from Pact, or a cozy blazer, like this super soft cotton, gauze-lined one that never feels tight or stiff on my broad shoulders. Shoes are a crucial finishing touch because they can make or break a professional look. To balance comfort and style, I opt for these fabric Vivaia Mary Janes because they’re washable, foldable, and come in the prettiest colors and patterns.
For the Minimalist Traveler
Vuori Villa Wide-leg Pant | Paka Essential Tee |
Quince 100% Leather Everyday Sneaker | Triple Zip Crossbody |
If I’m leaving the house before 4 a.m. to catch a flight, I do not want to think about anything other than “Where’s my passport?” or “Where’s my coffee?” For an elevated outfit you won’t have to give a second thought to, you need to focus on only a few things: simple, basic colors, easy silhouettes that mix and match, and fabrics and pieces you can pull on in seconds.
Instead of a lot of layers, focus on a few key pieces. Opt for pull-on pants, like these buttonless Vuori trousers, which have clean lines and are made from a wrinkle-resistant fabric that requires little upkeep. Then, look for a T-shirt in a fabric that won’t make you sweat or look messy when you land. This Pima cotton tee reduces sweat and smells, so you can wear it multiple times without fear of stink. Pair with an all-leather white sneaker, which goes with anything, and a multi-purpose cognac or black leather crossbody, like this one from Amazon, that fits your essentials and more.
For the Always-hot Traveler
Quince 100% European Linen Popover Top | Spanx AirEssentials Sleeveless JumpsuitSave 33% |
Ibex Merino Wool Long-sleeve shirt | Blue Canoe Organic Cotton Underwear |
The older I get, the more I seek out specific fabrics, especially when I travel. Long gone are the days when I could simply throw on a polyester shirt and super tight (and cheap) leggings for a long travel day. Not only do these pieces feel hot and restrictive, but they also can’t be worn multiple times on your trip (a must if you’re packing light). Add in a very early wake-up call, and the last thing I want is to wear an outfit that doesn’t repel odors, sweat, or stains.
I turn to fabrics like linen, cotton, and Merino wool, all of which keep me cool, comfortable, and feeling fresh. One of my favorite travel tops is this Quince European Linen Popover Shirt, which is light and airy and easy to pair with most outfits. (Linen will wrinkle, however, so it might not be a good option if you’re going from the plane straight to a meeting.) Another option is this one-and-done Spanx jumpsuit, partially made of Tencel modal fabric, which is soft, breathable, and flexible for maximum comfort. Merino wool is another fabric I basically live in, and I love this Ibex tee because it keeps me sweat-free while being versatile enough to go with everything.
Finally, nothing is worse than uncomfortable underwear that doesn’t make you feel fresh after a long day of travel. I live in Blue Canoe’s organic cotton underwear, made of organic cotton and bamboo rayon for breathable stretch and all-day comfort.
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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
