What to Wear When Travelling
Some celebrities may treat the airport like a runway, but sacrificing comfort for fashion isn’t worth it. There are ways to look simple yet stylish while still ensuring that you stay cool and comfortable for the duration of your journey. Whether it is a long-haul flight or not, the tips below can help you to assemble the perfect go-to travel outfit. From what to wear at the airport to what to wear when travelling on the train, following this guide can make your travel experience easier.
Loose Clothing
The problem with dressing for travel is that you have to take into account the conditions where you are coming from, on the plane or train, and where you are going. You are likely to have to consider several types of weather and different local customs for clothing. The main thing is to wear modest, loose clothes that are comfortable and neutral. Darker colours may be best if you are worried about wrinkles or stains. Make sure that your clothing is not so loose or bulky that it invites suspicion. Loose clothes are also more likely to be made of a breathable fabric that can make them feel fresher for longer. It is important not to wear tight-fitting clothes for your own comfort and to reduce the risk of DVT.
Light Jacket
You should never go on a long flight or train journey without a jacket. Travelling can quickly become miserable if the air conditioning is making you shiver. Or if you get too hot, you can take the jacket off and put it overhead or under your seat. Heavy coats or puffy jackets are a no-no because they take up too much space and you will probably overheat. Go for a light jacket or cardigan with sleeves that you can roll up to adjust your comfort. Wearing something stiff like a leather jacket or suit jacket can quickly become uncomfortable. Avoid these, unless you need to smarten up your look with a casual blazer in a softer material. You want something that’s lightweight but still thick enough to keep you warm.
Layer Tops
The key to a comfortable travel outfit is layering, and the easiest way to do this is with tops. As well as your jacket, you should aim for a couple of removable layers so that you can regulate your temperature to suit your own preference at any point. An adaptable outfit could include a light three-quarter-sleeve shirt over a t-shirt or tank top. If you don’t like to layer shirts, you can create layers by wearing a scarf. Scarfs, shawls, and wraps can dress up an outfit and double as a blanket if you need one. They are also easy to fold up and repurpose as a pillow or store in a bag. Although layering is usually good, try to avoid thick layers like hoodies or jumpers. They can take longer and be more difficult to remove.
Comfortable Pants
It might fall under the “loose clothing” category, but under no circumstances should you wear skinny jeans to travel in. Jeans are not recommended for travel wear at all unless they are not actually made of denim. Jeggings or stretchier jeans can give the look of wearing regular jeans while being much more comfortable while sitting or walking for long periods of time. Softer chinos or high-rise leggings are suitable options for comfortable travel. Athleisure is a popular fashion trend, so you’re bound to be able to find something comfy and stylish at the same time – just don’t risk looking like a slob in sweatpants. Whatever you wear, your pants need to be soft and stretchy to ensure flexibility at all times.
Simple Shoes
Your shoes are one of the most important outfit choices you will make when travelling. That’s not an overstatement, because you will probably have to do a lot of walking whether you are going to a train station or traversing an airport. If you are going through security checks, you will probably have to remove your shoes as well. You don’t want to hold up the line undoing buckles and laces, so choose a simple shoe that is easy to slip on and off. Boots will only work if they have a zip and aren’t too long. Remember to wear socks as well, because walking around an airport or train station in bare feet isn’t the most hygienic option. Choose low-top shoes that are supportive and flat with closed toes. No heels!
Minimal Accessories
Travelling is mostly very mundane, so you shouldn’t feel the need to dress up for it. Like fiddly shoes, an abundance of jewellery is just going to be a distraction. If you are going to have to go through a metal detector and you have a lot of piercings, you might want to remove the jewellery from them in advance to prevent hold-ups. Avoid oversized chunky jewellery or anything flashy and expensive that could make you a target for thieves. You might want to wear a watch but forgo a belt. Simple accessories like a pair of sunglasses and a hat can come in handy. For the sake of your fellow travellers, do not wear or spray a strong fragrance. Leave anything that is potentially offensive or provocative at home.
Compression Socks
Socks are a must when travelling for hygiene and warmth. However, some people may need to wear compression socks when travelling on planes. Passengers who have to sit through long-haul flights are at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. Compression socks and stockings increase blood flow to prevent your legs from becoming swollen and red. It is a good idea to wear them if you are pregnant, have a pre-existing medical condition, or travel on planes frequently. Don’t worry about what they look like – there are plenty of different compression socks available, even in funky patterns. They don’t have to look conspicuous or like medical wear either if you don’t want to draw attention.
Carry-on Bag
You don’t want to be dealing with too much luggage. Most airlines allow you to take on a small suitcase and a small bag. There usually aren’t such luggage restrictions on trains, but you still have to consider the available storage and being able to carry everything. Your personal bag should be a small backpack or handbag, or even a tote bag or belt bag. Keep this with you at all times to store your valuable documents and gadgets and for easy access to your items. This could include things like earphones, glasses, lip balm, hand sanitizer, a hairbrush, chewing gum, medications, or cash. Choose an efficient bag to store whatever you need immediate access to and try to pack as lightly as possible.