6 Ways To Dress And Pack For Effortless Travel
Once your bags are packed and the online check-in is complete, the final quandary is what to wear while traveling (and cram into your carry-on). Here, we round up six ways to ensure your airport aesthetic is always on point
Embrace the ’90s
Pared-back airport style had its heyday in the ’90s, so it makes sense to look back for inspiration. Start with a simple tee and leggings, the ultimate comfort combination – Lululemon’s elevated ‘Wunder Train’ leggings are made from the brand’s Everlux™ fabric that has a four-way stretch, making them an excellent choice for anyone who tends to make their flights with a sprint finish – and equally comfortable for those organized enough to chill in the lounge pre-flight. Sporty & Rich’s printed sweatshirt, meanwhile, looks great draped over your shoulders for a dose of preppy nostalgia. A denim jacket is also a travel favorite and a closet staple you’ll wear on repeat. Look for vintage details such as the subtle whiskering along the sleeves of Frame’s ‘The Curve’ style – it’s the perfect piece to throw on over a sun dress once you arrive, too. A compact shoulder bag is the ideal way to carry your essentials (passport/wallet/phone). So, why not try Gucci’s ‘Ophidia’ tote, which is designed in a compact Boston shape that will elevate your airport look?
Go oversized
For a look that deftly balances ease and style, opt for clean lines, luxe fabrics and roomy cuts. Enter Toteme – the Stockholm-based brand excels at creating refined off-duty staples, including this timeless striped cotton-poplin shirt. The relaxed style looks effortlessly elegant with St. Agni’s textured-silk wide-leg pants and Christen’s ‘Elipse’ calf-hair mules. In terms of finishing touches, Bottega Veneta’s ‘Pinacoteca’ tote from our NET SUSTAIN edit is the ideal size and shape to carry all you need during transit, while Chloé Eyewear’s ‘Izia’ aviators serve a dual purpose: ready for sunshine on touchdown and the perfect cover-up for tired eyes. The final flourish? Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Pisces’ ring adds polish, ensuring you’re ready to hit brunch by the beach.
Look to luxe loungewear
Loungewear has seriously upped its game in recent seasons, which is good news for our in-transit wardrobes. Look to The Elder Statesman and Arch4 for chic cotton and cashmere separates that are comfy enough to sleep in but elevated enough to get an upgrade. The former’s cotton and cashmere-blend wide-leg track pants are super-soft and ideal for slipping into for an early morning flight. Don’t forget your feet – Gucci’s monogrammed suede mules are a stylish and polished option to wear in the airport lounge and easy enough to kick off once you’re airborne. Finally, slip on Anita Ko’s gold diamond hoops to tie everything together.
Think smart-casual
Athleisure and tailoring might once have been an unlikely pairing, but, these days, they’re a perfect match, especially when it comes to traveling. Start with The Park’s ‘Josie’ leggings and wear them with Nili Lotan’s cotton-jersey white tee, then add a blazer. Polo Ralph Lauren’s herringbone version offers a dose of elevated elegance, especially when paired with a minimal bag, and Métier’s ‘Private Eye’ tote, which is named for its subtlety, is the ultimate quiet-luxury design. Meanwhile, ballet flats – such as Aeyde’s ‘Ellie’ pair – neatly balance comfort and style, plus they’re easy to slip off for in-flight comfort.
Wear light layers
The in-flight temperature is very rarely ‘just right’ – either blasting out cold air or a stuffy mid-flight warmth. The sartorial answer? Layers. Cue Éterne for a classic gray layering piece – this ribbed cotton-jersey top is perfect for pairing with high-rise, straight-leg jeans in a vintage blue wash, like Agolde’s pair from our NET SUSTAIN edit. Then, add a sleek jacket – Ralph Lauren Collection’s tan leather style is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER and sharpens even the most crumpled and cozy of outfits. Meanwhile, Cartier’s timeless ‘Baignoire’ watch will bring a touch of polish to the ensemble, and Saint Laurent’s quilted leather ‘Icare’ tote is perfect for packing your in-flight essentials.
Make sure you’re post-flight ready
Short trips often demand you stroll off the plane and straight into action – the key here is to select fuss-free separates that look put together and won’t emerge crumpled from a flight seat. Posse’s pleated cotton-poplin midi skirt does exactly that. It’s also worth investing in an oversized shirt, so consider Faithfull’s striped style, which you’ll wear with everything, including over swimwear – Hunza G’s seersucker chocolate-colored bikini has flattering and leg-lengthening high-cut briefs. Elsewhere, Dragon Diffusion’s ‘Bamboo Triple Jump’ tote is low-key enough for the beach, but sufficiently polished for a post-flight dinner – plus, it makes an elegant partner to Lizzie Fortunato’s gold-plated, turquoise and pearl beaded ‘Umi’ necklace.
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