Oh airport style. It always seems easy as you browse the internet and look at celebrity photos looking their best while they travel. However, it’s not so easy to figure out and you usually learn your lessons the hard way. I’ve already made my fair share of mistakes as a full-time traveler, and I’m sharing them so they don’t happen to you. Today I’m spilling the beans about everything I know about what to wear on a plane, several comfy airport outfits and what you should never wear on a travel day. Plus, I’m giving you all the styling tips and things to think about so you can create your own looks with pieces you already have in your closet.
Ready? Let’s get to some cute AND comfy airport outfits!
Table of contents
Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
First, let’s talk about what NOT to wear on a plane and why
Let’s get this out of the way first. A lot of the things on this list come from my own experience and things I’ve seen over the past year while traveling full time with my husband. Some may be pretty obvious, while others are probably not. That’s why I also share why all these things ended up in my black list for airport style.
– Wide leg pants:
While they are extremely cute and I have a few pairs, wide leg pants are not safe when you have to go the bathroom. Do I have to paint a clearer picture? Well imagine yourself pulling your pants down when using the toilet… See? The hem touches the floor! Airport and airplane bathrooms can be pretty gross (not always but still) and 90% of the time, they are wet. And let me tell you something, a wet floor next to a toilet ain’t water. I know, GROSS! So, unless you are not going to use the restroom at all or you are willing to roll them up all the way up to your thighs, leave your wide leg pants in your suitcase.
I learned this lesson the hard way this past Summer. Cute outfit yes, but I will never wear it again for a travel day. I was uncomfortable and I had to roll the pants all the way every time I needed to use the bathroom. It was annoying.
I get most of my wide leg pants here. (just don’t wear them on travel days!)
– Jumpsuits:
Also related to bathroom problems. I learned this lesson the hard way. Have you ever tried going to the bathroom wearing a jumpsuit? Exactly. Not exactly comfortable. Certainly even more uncomfortable at the airport or cabin toilet. Skip jumpsuits on your travel days.
– Heels:
This one is really up to you and your style of course, but I always see girls wearing heels to the airport and I never feel jealous lets put it that way. I know a lot of people who say they feel comfortable wearing heels, but come on, it can’t be better than wearing sneakers!
– No socks:
I don’t know if this is because I don’t like feet, but I think it’s gross to walk barefoot through security. It always smells terrible. Whenever I travel with sandals or shoes without socks, I always have a pair in my handbag. That way I can put them on when going through the security line.
– Belts or too much jewelry:
Again, just because it’s uncomfortable when going through security. It’s already annoying to take out your laptop and put it in a separate bin while everyone’s rushing. The airport security area is not exactly a zen environment, so try to make things easy on yourself and don’t add up to the stress of the moment.
– OTK boots or shoes that are difficult to take off:
Just because they are annoying to take off. OTK boots are cute that’s for sure, but I would generally avoid these. Unless (and this is a big unless), you are traveling somewhere cold and they didn’t fit in your suitcase. But generally avoid shoes that are not easy to take off and put back on again.
– Too many layers:
Layers, yes. But too many can be a hassle too. You may get hot, and then what are you going to do with all the extra layers? Unless you’ve saved space to put these extra layers away, just keep it simple with a long cardigan or a pashmina (more on that below).
– White denim:
White denim, white pants… why would you do this to yourself on a travel day?
– Super short shorts or mini skirts:
Just think about if you want your legs to touch those nasty airplane seats (and yes, they are nasty!).
PS: we are currently traveling the world full time! ** If interested in checking out my updated travel outfits (right now we’re in Mexico!) check out this link!** (I just travel with a small suitcase and create many many cute looks – and of course, travel day looks!)
What to wear on a plane + comfy airport outfits
– Comfy pants, sweatpants, joggers or jeans: (a comfortable bottom piece is KEY!)
I recommend straight or skinny so you don’t have to worry about it when you go to the bathroom. I explained this before. This is the kind of pant I love traveling with:
This website has very cute comfy pants!! :) And they are ethically made and very comfortable. (Same brand where I got the pants on the left photo)
– Sneakers or very comfortable shoes:
I’m always wearing sneakers! Any type of sneakers work here. It’s just nice to travel with comfy shoes and my style of choice is sneakers 95% of the time. You can also wear really comfy flats or sandals, just make sure to pack an extra pair of socks.
This is my favorite pair of sustainable white sneakers (they are the best and not too crazy expensive!). This is the exact link to the ones I have.
Also read: How to wear white sneakers
– A denim jacket or long cardigan:
It’s smart to travel with an extra layer. Airports and airplanes are kind of unpredictable when it comes to temperature, so it’s always good to be safe. I’m someone who’s always cold so for me, this is a must! I usually carry a denim jacket or a long cardigan.
As you can see, I’m wearing all my favorite basic pieces for a travel day here: Long cardigan, white T-shirt, leggings and white sneakers. It was very comfortable to travel like this!
Also read: How to wear a long cardigan
PS: best and softest sustainable long cardis are from this brand.
– T-shirts:
They are easy to style and comfortable. T-shirts are KEY to create comfy airport outfits! I usually wear a white, striped or black T-shirt. It’s just so easy.
This is my favorite brand of white T-shirts (Use code WAYSOFSTYLE15 for 15% off your entire order). I have the ‘Relaxed V-neck T-shirt’ and the ‘Classic Cotton V-neck T-shirt’.
– Leggings:
Leggings are great for traveling! I love wearing them for the airport, but also as a back up for working out or use them as pants. As long as it’s not Summer and temperature is below 65, I’m happy to wear my Spanx leggings anywhere. Here are some easy outfit ideas to put together for the airport. Pair them with comfy shoes, a T-shirt and a long cardigan or a hoodie and you are good to go.
Also read: Spanx leggings review and ‘What to wear with leather leggings‘
– Dresses or Skirts (midi or maxi):
I recommend longer skirts or dresses because, as I mentioned earlier, you don’t want your beautiful legs to touch those nasty airport/airplane seats. I have never traveled with a midi skirt until very recently and I found it to be very comfortable. I created a monochromatic look with sneakers and a denim jacket and honestly, it’s been one of my favorite travel outfits to date!
And this is the type of dress I’m referring too. If you are super girly and want to wear a dress on a travel day, of course you can do it while still being comfortable for traveling. Here are 2 midi dresses that I styled with sneakers. Just make sure to bring an extra layer if you are someone who gets cold.
This is a very easy way to create stylish and comfy airport outfits if dresses are your thing :)
What to wear on a plane – More Comfy Airport Outfits
Stylish but Comfy Airport Outfits + Styling tips
If you want to look super chic on your travel day, I recommend cute jeans or pants, a plain T-shirt and a statement piece like a jacket. If you want to go the extra mile, add a headband or a cute pair of earrings (those are usually ok when going through security). Here are some examples of cute yet comfortable airport outfits:
Comfy Airport Outfits if traveling somewhere cold
I struggle when flying from somewhere warm to somewhere cold. This happens to me a couple of times a year at least, when traveling from Florida to Chicago in the Winter to see my family. You don’t want to be too warm because you’ll be a sweaty mess in less than 30 seconds, but you also don’t want to travel too light because you will die 30 seconds after crossing the exit sign at your destination’s airport. So, what to do?
Well, these are some outfits I’ve tried in the past. I sometimes have to wear a hat because I don’t like to pack those in my suitcase. Also, traveling with booties can be pretty comfortable too, so I don’t mind them on travel days. My advice is to keep in mind how you are getting to and from the airport. If you are taking public transportation where it’s cold, then you will have to bring your Winter coat (sorry!).
Other random things to keep in mind when deciding what to wear on a plane:
- Sometimes you’ll have no choice but to wear a hat (sometimes they don’t pack well and you really want to bring them)
- Remember that it’s always nice to bring an extra pair of socks if you’re wearing sandals. You don’t want to walk barefoot where other people are doing the same (ahem security line). And they are nice to have in the airplane too.
- Do you have your period? If the answer is yes, then wear black pants. You never know if you’ll have access to change on time or if you are just running around to catch your flight, end up having no time and the airplane is stucked at the gate, you can’t get up for whatever reason, etc. Things happen, better be safe.
- Do you usually get cold? Bring an extra layer or pashmina.
- What’s the weather like where you are? What’s the weather like where you are going?
- How are you getting to and from the airport? Will you need an extra layer for walking to take public transportation?
- If you have a carry-on bag, make sure to put all your toiletries in a clear bag. We bought these ones and they’ve been life savers at the busy security check-ins.
Things to survive a long haul flight:
- Noise canceling headphones
- Earplugs
- A neck pillow
- Phone charger
- A book (if you have space) or kindle :)
- An extra layer in case it gets cold
I don’t think you need to bring many extra things. Most airlines will provide you with a pillow and a blanket. We recently traveled with Turkish Airlines and we good a cute goodie bag with earplugs, eye mask, moisturizer and even socks! (and no, it wasn’t first class).
Final thoughts about what to wear on a plane
I hope you learned how to create some cute and comfy airport outfits today! As I always say, I always share the looks to inspire you, not for you to recreate exactly the same ones if you don’t want to. The idea is that you create your own looks with things you already have in your closet.
I don’t personally love flying but I do love traveling and exploring new places. Being comfortable on your travel day will definitely make a huge difference. Travel days can be rough sometimes, so make sure to make your life easier that day by wearing something comfy.
Thanks so much for stopping by! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below.
Take care and safe travels!
XO,
Aimara
Did you learn how to create some comfy airport outfits for your next trip? Share it on Pinterest!
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- A 7-item capsule wardrobe checklist + 25 outfit ideas from our 3-month trip to Turkey!
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- For travel related blog posts, read our travel blog! And our viral blog posts about Isla Holbox (and why you shouldn’t visit!)
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