What to Wear Travelling: BEST Outfits for Airport + Long-haul flights

Choosing an airport outfit that looks stylish and comfy enough to wear on a long-haul flight is no easy task. This guide will help you determine exactly what to wear travelling on your next overseas trip!

When it comes to travel outfits, there is a happy medium between the ‘i-just-got-out-of-bed’ and the ‘i-just-stepped-off-the-runway’ look.  I’m talking about travel clothes that are simultaneously casual and effortless chic.

If you are in search of an outfit that will be comfy in the confines of your plane seat yet still look good once you step off the plane and into the airport, look no further. Here are my top suggestions on what to wear on a long-haul flight (inspired by some serious fashionistas)!

READ NEXT: 25 BEST Travel Essentials for Women in 2023

 

1. Best Shoes to Wear on a Long-Haul Flight

If you are wondering what shoes to wear on a long-haul flight, my number one recommendation would be plain white sneakers. Sneakers are super comfortable, look stylish, and go with basically everything. They are also easy to slip on and off during a flight.

If you are looking for a sneaker recommendation, I personally adore these Veja Esplar Sneakers. Not only are these comfy and high-quality sneakers, they are also made ethically and sustainably.

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Image Source: Fashion Jackson

2. Best Pants to Wear on a Long-Haul Flight

If you want to opt for the most comfortable thing to wear on a long-haul flight, sweatpants/ joggers are always a winner.

Given athleisure is all the rage at the moment, you can find many cute and comfy matching sets to rock on the plane. I’m a big fan of these neutral joggers. This light pink knit cardigan would complete the look!

Plain black leggings (like these super comfy ones) would be my next choice of what to wear on the plane. These feel a little sleeker than track pants but are still super comfortable.

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Image Source: Ruby Holley

3. Best Loungewear for a Long-Haul Flight

For the ultimate long-haul comfort, pack a set of loungewear to change into on the plane. Having something to change into for sleeping will greatly add to the comfort of your flight, particularly if you are flying business or first class!

If you’re looking for loungewear that combines comfort, quality and style, I’d highly recommend investing in this gorgeous cotton set by Lanston. The neutral oat color is such a winner!

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Image Source: Tara Milk Tea

4. Best Socks to Wear on a Long-Haul Flight

If you have legs and feet that are prone to swelling during or after a flight, you might want to consider investing in a pair of compression socks.  These basically help to stimulate circulation around your calves and feet.

The only problem is that most of these types of socks tend to be a bit of an eye sore. After some research, I did manage to find sheer compression socks which basically just look like stockings.  This means you can wear them underneath your travel attire and no one could even tell!

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Image Source: Leonie Hanne

5. Best Tops to Wear on a Long-Haul Flight

It’s important to choose a top that works with your airport outfit and is comfortable for a long haul flight. If you are going for a more casual airport look, I would suggest a plain, high-quality t-shirt, like this 100% cotton tee from Free People.

If you want to wear something a little more dressy for your flight, you could try a lightweight linen button-up shirt like this one. Either of these can be paired with black leggings, or flowy linen pants.

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Image Source: Camila Coelho

6. Best Jacket/ Coat to Wear on a Long-Haul Flight

A jacket/ coat is an essential part of an outfit to wear on a plane for the following reasons:

  1. Jackets and coats tend to be quite bulky, so wearing one on a long-haul flight can save you precious suitcase space.
  2. A coat can make a great extra blanket on the plane if you do tend to get cold.
  3. You can really dress up a casual plane outfit with a nice jacket or coat.

If you are travelling in winter, my suggestion would be a trench to throw over a neutral pair of pants and top, like this stunning beige coat. If you are traveling in summer, opt for a light-cropped jacket like this one. You could even personalize the jacket with custom iron on patches.

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Image Source: Sincerely Jules

7. Top Carry-On Essentials for a Long-Haul Flight

Now you know what to wear on your next flight,  it’s time to figure out what to pack in your carry-on! To help you, below I’ve listed all of my top items that I won’t hop on a plane without:

1. Travel Bottle Set

Ideal for carrying all your liquids onboard, these little travel bottles are TSA and carry-on approved, leak-proof and BPA free.

2. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

These Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones are the best investment I’ve ever made for traveling. They do a stellar job at clocking at all the white noise (and screaming babies) on an airplane, making plane trips a lot more enjoyable. Just make sure you buy an airplane adapter so you can plug them into the entertainment system.

3. Wireless Power Bank

A wireless power bank is an absolute lifesaver on planes, especially when there is no USB chargers available. The power bank magnetizes to the back of your phone, meaning you can charge up your device on-the-go without any annoying cords getting in the way.

4. Silk Eyemask

Essential for getting beauty sleep both on and off the flight. If you are sick of itchy, uncomfortable eye masks, this silk number is the softest, prettiest, and most affordable one I’ve come across.

5. Melatonin Tablets

These tablets are an absolute game-changer for combating jetlag. Your body naturally produces melatonin, and these tablets simply help with the process by producing sleep-inducing signals. This is very useful when trying to sleep on a plane or when you are feeling jetlagged.

6. Neck Pillow

Travelling with a neck pillow is another carry-on essential for me. I’ve tried many different styles out and have found this neck pillow to be my favourite. It is filled with microbeads as opposed to memory foam, which I personally find a lot more comfortable.

READ NEXT: Minimalist Packing List for Females

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Whenever I fly, I always make sure I am covered by travel insurance before I start my trip.  SafetyWing offers the most affordable worldwide coverage I’ve found, starting at $37 per 4 weeks. They allow you to pick a start date and will automatically extend your insurance until you cancel, which is great if you want flexibility with your travel dates.

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Nicola Easterby Bio Image

Hey, I'm Nicola!

I am a travel + food blogger on a mission to discover the best destinations & dishes in the world. Thanks for joining the adventure!

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