The ultimate goal when traveling is to look chic and put-together while weaving through the airport and then to be as comfortable as possible once aboard the plane, especially when embarking on an overnight flight. There are clearly two different approaches to an airport outfit vs an airplane outfit which need to come together!
To that end, layering is key. The perfect travel outfit starts out with soft, breathable fabrics and light layers as your base with a chic jacket to top it off and pull it all together. The best pants I’ve found for a long plane ride are Lululemon’s Align yoga pants that have stretch without being too tight or restrictive. I’ll throw on a cotton tank top and then layer a soft sweatshirt or sweater like Anine Bing’s Organic Cotton Sweatshirt or LouLou Studio’s Cashmere Hoodie over it. To finish it all off and create instant style, I’ll layer a leather jacket or a blazer over top. Norma Kamali’s Oversized Vegan Leather Blazer is a great choice as it’s sleek and can be dressed up or down for wherever your trip takes you. I love to wear slip-on shoes like Repetto’s ballet flats for the ease of getting them on and off easily. And I throw Ugg Rib Knit Slouchy Crew Socks in my bag so I can swap my shoes for a pair of warm socks once I’m settled in. (If you’re pregnant or have poor blood circulation, opt for a pair of compression socks like these cute ones from Hatch for long-haul flights.)
Speaking of your bag, it’s a good idea to keep all of your air travel essentials in a large tote that is easy to store within arm’s reach. Even if I have a carry-on bag, I still bring a tote for my laptop, phone, passport, and anything else I like to keep close by. Goyard’s Saint Louis PM Tote Bag is my personal favorite tote to travel with. It’s the perfect size and weighs practically nothing when empty. For a short flight, it might be the only bag you need. If you don’t need to bring a laptop, you can opt for Goyard’s small bag, the Artois PM Bag.
Here is what’s in my bag along with some general tips:
Anya Hindmarch’s In-Flight Travel Case: A clear cosmetic bag makes it quick and easy to get through airport security. Plus it saves me from searching through the bag to find exactly what I need.
I always have Aesop’s Resurrection hand cream and Cedar & Citrus lip balm in my bag as longer flights can really dry out my skin. They are both super-hydrating and the perfect size to keep on hand.
Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Headphones is the best way to block out any unwanted sounds. They have saved me from listening to snoring on many a flight! Plus I love to watch movies for 16 hours straight when away from my family. (Who doesn’t?!)
A great way to get comfy on a flight is to bring a cashmere scarf or wrap to cozy up with. If your destination is to a colder climate, you will need this once you land and head outside as well. J. Crew’s Oversized Cashmere Wrap and White & Warren’s Cashmere Travel Wrap are great options.
The last thing I keep in my bag are dark sunglasses for when I land and inevitably look tired! Especially when taking an international flight, jet lag will set in and you’ll want to be ready. I’m a huge fan of Ray-Ban aviators because they are classic and go back to everything. If I can only pack one pair of sunglasses, they are my go-to pair.
Some other things you might like to keep on hand for a long haul flight are an eye mask, a refillable, collapsible water bottle, and a book or magazine. If you are seated in first class or taking a business class flight, they might already provide these things. But it’s always nice to be prepared!
Last tip is this: If you have to run to a business meeting straight from the plane, throw some classic black high heels into your bag as well. You can swap your comfortable shoes for your heels, your sweatshirt for the leather blazer and voila!, you have a sleek look to head straight to your meeting.
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