As the founder of a travel advisory and a long time travel blogger I am on the road a lot each year. I take a lot of flights and a lot of trips every single year. Every time I pick a travel outfit I always do so with a few caveats in mind so today I am going to share how I build easy travel outfits that find the perfect balance of comfort and style.

Easy Travel Outfits: Comfortable Styles for Women

I always aim for the perfect mix of looking put together and wearing comfortable clothes when I dress for travel, especially when I’m picking out what to wear on a long flight. As you begin your packing list for your plane ride or car ride or train travel, consider not sacrificing your style while always accounting for comfort. 

Over the years, I’ve refined a go-to formula for easy travel outfits that prioritize comfort without ever feeling sloppy. After countless early morning departures, red-eyes to Europe and train rides across England, I now know exactly which pieces make the best comfortable travel outfits for women — styles that work for long hours of sitting, changing temperatures and busy airport days.

When I’m getting dressed for a flight, my goal is always the same: look polished enough to land and go straight to lunch or check-in, but feel as comfortable as possible along the way. Think soft fabrics, smart layering pieces and versatile staples that take the guesswork out of deciding what to wear on a plane.

Read on for some long flight outfits and you can follow @meghandono and @enroutetoreverie for more travel tips throughout the year.

What Makes a Great Travel Outfit?

After years of frequent travel (from long haul flights to Europe to early morning airport dashes) I’ve found that the best travel outfits for women all share a few key qualities. When I’m deciding what to wear on a plane, I’m always thinking about comfort, practicality and how I want to feel when I arrive.

Prioritize soft, breathable fabrics:

Long flights and extended time in transit call for materials that move with you and won’t feel restrictive after hours of sitting. I tend to reach for knits, ponte, cotton blends and elevated sweatshirts that feel cozy but still look polished. I try to avoid traveling in jeans if possible.

Include layers you can easily adjust:

Airports, planes and trains all seem to operate at wildly different temperatures. A lightweight jacket, cardigan or blazer makes it easy to stay comfortable without overpacking your carry-on.

Wear shoes you can actually walk in:

Even the most polished airport outfit falls apart if your shoes aren’t practical. Comfortable sneakers, ballet flats or loafers that can handle long terminals and unexpected gate changes are always my go-to. And personally, I never travel in flip flops (very rarely I’ll travel in sandals, but only if it’s a quick flight in Summer), because they aren’t the most sanitary shoe to be wearing for long travel and they’re not practical.

Feel polished enough for arrival:

My goal is always a stylish travel outfit that lets me land and head straight to lunch, a meeting or check-in without feeling disheveled. Neutral layers and elevated basics go a long way toward striking that balance between comfort and looking put-together.

Consider the whole journey:

No one wants to be dealing with bodysuits or jumpsuits in an airplane bathroom, dealing with loads of buttons on a coat at airport security or having to remove additional pieces of clothing because of metal detectors. 

Plan for your destination:

Heading to a Caribbean destination? Think about putting together an outfit that can seamlessly adapt to your new environment. Perhaps wear a tank top as a base layer so you can shed your sweatshirt when you arrive, or even tuck a lightweight dress into your carry-on bag for a quick change upon arrival.

When you focus on these elements, getting dressed for a travel day becomes much easier — and your outfit can actually work for you well beyond the airport.

My Go-To Travel Outfit Formulas

Go Monochrome

A monochrome outfit is one of my go-tos for travel looks. It’s easy, looks put together and can account for spills and anything else you may encounter during a travel day.

This is why matching sets always look so good (I love this set from Kilte), but also outfits all in one color family. For me that usually means shades of black and grey (I am who I am!), because these are pieces I can style other ways later on in my trip. 

Above I’m wearing this charcoal cashmere crewneck with comfy black pants and a black wool coat.

High Quality Athleisure

Athleisure is not code for throwing on leggings and a sweatshirt and heading out the door on your trip. You can easily elevate an athleisure outfit with high quality pieces that have thoughtful, stylish details like ribbed knits or chic takes on zipper details. 

Vuori has long been a favorite retailer for high quality athleisure, and their pieces are perfect for long travel days. Above I’m wearing these sweatpants and the matching mini crewneck sweatshirt. I also like the Spanx Air Essentials sets.

Related: My Vuori Review

Dress in Layers

I always, always get cold on planes so I have to travel in layers, even when I’m traveling somewhere warm! I like to wear a tank or a tee under my knit of choice. Then sometimes even add a coat atop that.

Above I’m wearing these AYR pants, a quarter zip from Varley, and a white tee.  

Opt for Trousers

I love a pair of trousers for being so comfortable (especially those with an elastic waistband!) and yet put together. This is particularly great for red eye flights where you will land and perhaps not have a ready hotel room.

The Varley Kasey Wide Leg Trouser are a favorite. So comfy and yet put together. I have them in a satin and a matte black now.

Above I styled Toteme silk trousers with this oversized cashmere sweater (sized down to a S) — an outfit I later restyled on my trip!

How I Plan My Travel Day Outfit

First, I always consider what I’ll want access to mid-flight. I’ll typically start with a simple base layer — usually a soft tee or tank — and then build from there with pieces I can easily adjust depending on the temperature on board. I nearly always wear my bulkiest items, like a coat or heavier knit, so they don’t take up space in my suitcase and can double as an extra layer or blanket if needed.

I also pay close attention to what I’m wearing underneath everything. For longer travel days especially, I skip underwire entirely and opt for a comfortable t-shirt bra or a low-support sports bra that won’t feel restrictive after hours of sitting. The same goes for waistbands, anything with stretch tends to win.

Finally, I try to think about what I’ll need once I land. If I’m heading somewhere warm, I’ll make sure I have a lighter layer or sandals easily accessible in my carry-on. If I’m landing early and won’t have immediate access to my hotel room, I’ll opt for something that still feels polished enough to head straight to coffee, meetings or sightseeing like a pair of black trousers I can pair with a more polished top from my suitcase.

A little planning like this means my travel day outfit isn’t just comfortable in transit, it’s practical for the entire journey.

Where to Shop for Easy Travel Outfits

I have a variety of go-to brands I love for pieces that are both great for travel outfits, but can also be styled beyond that. They include Varley, Vuori, AYR, Spanx, Kilte, J.Crew, Negative, La Ligne, and Leset.

Shop Easy Travel Outfit Essentials

You May Also Like:

• What To Wear on a Long Flight.
• Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe.
• What Coats to Wear in Paris for Every Season.

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