Do you ever wonder, what is the best travel outfit for long flights? Well, I wrote this post 30,000 feet up in the air on a 9+ hour flight, heading to Portland, Oregon for my niece’s wedding. I shared everything I packed on my Insta stories and had a few questions about my travel outfit, so I am sharing that with you today. For me, the key to what you should wear when you travel, is comfort and practicality. If I can find pieces that fit the criteria and are also cute, they are total winners in my book.
The Best Travel Outfit for Long Flights
(My older son took these pics for me literally seconds before we got into the car to head out. I think he did a pretty good job, don’t you?)
COMFORT IS KEY
As I mentioned, comfort is key for me. I am always cold and like to feel warm and snuggly. It enhances the whole experience for me. I have it pretty much nailed down how to assemble the perfect travel outfit for long flights. It always consists of black leggings (or cute joggers), a cute tee and a cozy cardigan. I always wear my slip-on sneakers with footie socks, so I can take of my shoes easily and my feet don’t have to touch the gross airport floor. I rotate between different cardigans and leggings, but I always follow the same formula, Even if it is 100 degrees outside. In my experience airports and planes are always cold, so a cozy cardigan is key for me. I also always have a big, soft scarf in my carry-on, that can easily double as a pillow or a blanket, and yes, a pair of bed socks. Okay, call me granny.
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CHOOSE PRACTICAL PIECES & LAYER
On this trip, I chose my favorite Spanx coated leggings. Honestly, they really are the best travel pants for long flights. They suck you in, in all the right places and are still very comfortable, and the coated part makes them so versatile and more polished looking. Stains seem to repel right off of them (key when traveling with kids) and they are refined enough to wear with more dressier pieces and booties throughout the trip. They were a definite staple in my travel wardrobe this trip. I like to layer my clothes so I have some flexibility with warmth. My typical layered look is a t-shirt, cardigan and scarf over black leggings.
I love this t-shirt. It covers my bum over the leggings and the cute knit faux knot detail makes it look a bit more pulled together. It comes in a bunch of colors and makes it look like you have the casual tuck mastered. 😉 Btw, when wearing leggings, your top should always, always cover your bum, unless you are 12 and under.
I rotate cardigans, but I love my barefoot dream cardigan. It is like a warm, soft hug and makes the perfect travel companion. It also makes the most perfect gift. My other favorite is this boyfriend cardigan I snagged at Old Navy. It adds the perfect layer of warmth and comfort on long flights, especially evening, or overnight flights.
These slip-on sneakers have gotten so much wear and have served me well these past few years. I take them on every single trip and they are so comfy. They double as my regular sneakers on trips as well. I can walk miles in them and I love that I can take them off easily and slip them right back on. These footie socks are the only ones that I have found that don’t slip off my heels, and disappear in most shoes. They are made from breathable cotton and save me from yucky airport floors.
THINK CHEAP
In general, when I travel, my rule is to not take anything too expensive, or anything that I am personally attached to. Prime example, I left my sunglasses at a friend’s house after dinner and it was not a big deal. I only paid $10.00 for them and now her cute little daughter has a pair of sunnies to play with. The same goes for my purse and carry on. The black purse is from Old Navy and looks way more expensive than the $28.00 I paid for it. It has room for all of my essentials and I love that it has a cross body strap. The travel carry-on had a separate compartment for my laptop, which was key, and plenty of room for my other essentials like kindle, snacks, scarf, socks and so on. It has become my go-to travel bag.
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BE PREPARED
Psst, I also always carry a clean t-shirt, toothbrush, and extra pair of undies in my carry on as well. That way, if god forbid, our luggage gets lost, I can make it a day without feeling super gross. I also share some other travel beauty hacks in my Insta Stories. They are highlighted under Travel.
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Do you have a travel uniform or some great tips or tricks? Leave them in the comment section below.
XO,
Michelle says
October 12, 2018 at 10:40 amLove your travel outfit ideas! I need to grab a pair of faux leather leggings!
Kirsten Brusse says
October 12, 2018 at 4:54 pmThank you! And, yes you do. You will not regret it.
Nancy Olson says
December 7, 2019 at 1:42 pmThank you so much for stating that “always, always, cover your bum when you wear leggings unless you are 12 and under”. I’ve seen so many women who look like they are wearing pantyhose when they wear leggings. Far too much being exposed! The real test is “ladies, how do you look FROM THE BACK?” Most of us look OK from the front view, but I saw a woman one day whose silhouette was really lumpy. Not pretty.
Kirsten Brusse says
December 8, 2019 at 1:37 pmYou are hilarious!