Welcome to our blog. We’re glad you’re here. We love traveling and we know you do, too. Whether it’s a quick weekend trip or a long-term stay abroad, there are always things you want to take along with you—and things you might not want to bring along for the ride. We’ve put together this list of what to wear on travel so that whether your next trip is full of adventures or relaxing by the pool, you’ll be prepared with the right clothing for the occasion. If you’re a traveler, you know that the right clothes are more than just a way to keep yourself comfortable and stylish on your trip. They’re also one of the best ways to ensure that your experience is as smooth as possible. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of what to wear on your next trip, including some basic tips for packing and tips for specific types of trips.
What to Wear on Travel
When it comes to fashion, most people have a pretty clear idea of what they’re looking for. We want to look stylish, but we also want to feel comfortable, and we don’t want to spend hours getting ready in the morning.
But when you’re on vacation or traveling somewhere new, it can be hard to know what clothes will work best for your trip. And if you’re going somewhere warm or cold? Well, that’s just another layer of complexity that can make choosing what to wear a bit tricky.
That’s why we decided to put together this guide: so that no matter where you’re going and what kind of trip it is, you’ll always know exactly how to get dressed!
The perfect travel outfit is actually super formulaic. You need four things: A soft, well-made t-shirt, a neutral, warm jacket or cardigan, flattering pants with stretch, comfortable, stylish shoes.
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I get the allure of celebrity airport fashion. There’s something romantic about emerging from the skybridge in an outfit worthy of Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, or a queen of traveling in style, Victoria Beckham.
But we mere mortals are — quite literally — not on the same plane.
We do not need to prepare for an assemblage of paparazzi waiting to shoot up at us from the tarmac. We just need to sit in one place for an extended period of time without experiencing incredible discomfort due to our clothing choices. Here’s how.
The Best Travel Pants for Women Who Hate Flying in Jeans
First, to prepare for the temperature roulette that is inherent in travel, you’ll need layers. To be a practical packer, you’ll need versatile pieces that you can reuse throughout your trip. And to be not miserable, please pack clothing and shoes you’ve already road-tested and know to be comfortable for your body and your being.
Taking notes from the travel style of not just off-duty models, celebrities, and royalty, but also bloggers, social media stars, and normal, real-life people just trying to survive JFK-HAN, I realized there kind of is a general consensus.
The perfect travel outfit is actually super formulaic. You need four things: A soft, well-made t-shirt, a neutral, warm jacket or cardigan, flattering pants with stretch, comfortable, stylish shoes. And if you’re in the mood, feel free to add on one signature accessory — a little something extra to make it feel more “you.”
Before you write that off and just toss on whatever, hear me out. Of course, you won’t remember what you wore on any given trip, but the comfort and confidence that come from the perfect travel outfit are meaningful. Your style can change your approach to what you do and who you are abroad.
There are tons of flying hacks out there for female travelers to ensure you have a stress-free airport experience – and one of them is dressing the smart way. Whether it’s your first time flying, or your hundredth, it’s hard to figure out what to pack for your trip. You probably have a closet full of clothes and can’t decide what to bring. So what should you wear? If an outfit can’t be worn two or three times and look different by customizing it with accessories, then you shouldn’t bring it. But if you bring pieces that you can mix and match then those are what you should wear. For example, with a no-nonsense navy blazer, you can look put-together and formal if you pair it with a nice blouse. For a more casual look, pair the blazer with your favorite jeans and a white T-shirt. Attire that can go from day to night is always your best bet. And you’ll look effortlessly chic and stylish in a sea of tourists who are wearing tourist shirts, sweats and baseball caps.
Whether it’s because you’ll stick out like a sore thumb abroad, or you’ll be uncomfortable on a plane, always dress appropriately. For some that means you’ll want to research your specific destination to find out which clothes are and aren’t applicable to your particular trip. You should also keep in mind the local customs and religious beliefs. For example, if you’re visiting a mosque, you should have clothing available that will cover you up almost entirely or risk offending the locals. Finally, you should consider safety when you pick out your clothes. The key is to blend in. This means no bright or loud colors and sticking to neutrals. You’ll look less like a mark for thieves who prey on people who look like tourists.
Now that you have a general sense of what to bring while traveling, here are 12 specific things women should wear on trips, as well as 12 things they shouldn’t wear.
26/26Don’t Wear: High Heels
It’s simple. Do not ever bring or wear shoes with heels. That means platform shoes and stilettos. First off, do you know how hard it is to walk through a cavernous airport while wearing high heels? You have to walk from security to get to your gate, and that may be a long stroll. And besides, if you’re on vacay, when are you going to wear high heels? While suntanning by the pool? While getting ice from the ice machine? Yes, you may want to dress up for dinner, but remember, as Town & Country said, comfort is everything when you travel
25/26Wear: A Hat that suits the climate
A woman should always bring a hat while traveling, according to Smarter Travel. A hat serves three purposes. One, you can wear it on bad hair days. We recommend a fedora straw hat, a newsboy cap or a military cap. Two, a hat can keep you warm if you’re going somewhere cold. We suggest a wool or cashmere beanie. Finally, a hat can drastically change your look. A straw hat is the best to bring because it can make a white T-shirt and jeans or any ensemble look effortlessly chic. If you want to look sporty at the beach, wear a visor or borrow your boyfriend’s baseball cap.
24/26Don’t Wear: Bright Colors
Don’t wear clothes in bold patterns or loud colors. Remember that you should bring attire that coordinates well with each other, such as any combination of black, navy, grey and charcoal. You can’t go wrong with a black T and your favorite jeans or leggings, and you will be keeping your packing to a minimum. As Smarter Travel pointed out, those colors will make you look put together and you’ll be able to blend in with the crowd while sightseeing and not draw unwanted attention to yourself, especially thieves.
23/26Wear: Tactical Jackets Or Hoodies With Plentiful Large Pockets
Everyone knows how difficult it can be to stick to the hand luggage limit, especially when you have lots of essentials that you really need to keep on your person at all times. It’s also incredibly irritating and time-consuming to have to keep unpacking and re-packing your carry-on case every time you go through airport security. However, the key to enjoy an organised and hassle-free waltz through the airport and bypass strict hand luggage allowances is to wear your affairs. Travelers can buy specifically designed travel-friendly jackets and hoodies with lots of tactical and large pockets that can be used to hold all manners of items. Phones, passports, tablets, wallets, cameras and even laptops can all be kept on you instead of in your hand baggage, which means you can breeze through airport security and carry more without worrying about going over the weight and bag quantity limit.
22/26Don’t Wear: More Than One pair of Jeans for the whole trip
Jeans go with anything, they’re versatile and long-lasting and are perfect for any type of weather. As we suggested, for that effortless look, pairing denim with a navy blazer and a white T-shirt is perfect for informal events, such as when visiting tourist sites. While other people will look like tourists, you’ll look very chic. But there’s no reason to bring more than one piece of denim. Stick to one pair only. Anything more, and you’ll have little room in your suitcase, as denim is also heavy, even when it’s folded tightly, as USA Today pointed out.
21/26Don’t Wear: Skinny Jeans
You should always bring jeans with you on your trip because they go with almost everything. But you should not wear skinny or tight jeans while flying. All that time you’re sitting on a plane, especially one that is over ten hours, will make your skinny jeans feel very uncomfortable. And, according to Town and Country, you increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis or blood clots. So wear more sensible jeans and, for preventive measures, put on the compression socks we talk about later. Regular socks will inhibit blood circulation and cause swelling of the legs.
20/26Wear: Comfortable Clothing While On A Plane
It may be tempting to dress up to look and feel fabulous for a flight – after all, the stars make it look so easy – but even a six-hour flight will make you uncomfortable if you’ve chosen the wrong things to wear on the plane. The trick is to stay away from bulky items (puffy jackets, for example) and to wear clothes you can layer and that are comfortable. The New York Times suggests wearing exercise gear. For tops, bring with you a sweatshirt made of lightweight cotton over a T-shirt as a base. Then put a sweatshirt hoodie in a larger size over your shirt, big enough that it won’t prohibit your movement. For pants, wear leggings or nylon workout pants. You can get some quality-made sweats at J.Crew or Pink.
19/26Don’t Wear: A Tote Bag Without A Top Closure
The most comfortable fabrics to wear are those that allow your skin to breathe. Materials such as cotton, linen and silk are great options, which allow adequate air flow to the skin. This ensures that sweat doesn’t get clogged up, and you’ll feel fresher and cleaner for longer. Natural fabrics are of course the best choices, but other man-made quick-drying materials can be just as good for allowing your skin to breathe too – like spandex and polyester blends.
18/26Wear: Breathable Fabrics
17/26Wear: comfortable sweats for the plane
For those who think gym wear like sweats makes you look like a slob while flying in a plane, try this alternate outfit suggested by Air Help. Wear a Polartec jacket made of real fleece as your shell or outerwear, and if the A/C gets too cold, remove the jacket to reveal a long-sleeve lightweight sweater. Cotton is ideal, but merino wool is thin enough to wear comfortably and will guarantee that you’ll feel warm. For bottoms, suiting pants are your best bet because they offer a little bit of stretch so as not to impede your movement. The best trousers are those made of Lycra and synthetic fibers.
16/26Don’t Wear: Pajamas
If you fly a lot, you’ve probably seen a lot of people at the airport or on a flight who are dressed inappropriately. One example are passengers who wear pajamas on the plane so they feel cozy and relaxed. Pajamas are improper to wear on a flight and belong only in your bedroom or in your hotel room, according to Travel + Leisure. It’s a known fact that flight attendants treat passengers who are dressed nicely differently from those who look like slobs or think the aircraft is their home, as The Cheat Sheet pointed out.
15/26Wear: A Scarf
The essential accessory you should always bring while traveling is a scarf. It will alter your outfit in the same way as a straw hat. And style-wise, the T-shirt and jeans combo will work well with the scarf. For hot weather, wear a lightweight cotton/rayon scarf. You can also wear it when it’s chilly at night, especially if you’re near the beach. Just make sure the scarf is an infinity scarf or measures around 30 x 80 so it can be layered or worn in different styles. For winter a cashmere scarf is the only scarf that will do if you want to look stylish.
14/26Don’t Wear: Bulky Parkas
You should never bring a large, oversized coat while you travel. That means bulky parkas with fake-fur hoods, big puffy jackets and quilted puffy jackets, for example. If you justify bringing such coats because you are going somewhere cold, look in the mirror to see if you look like you’re in the Artic. If you do, you’re wearing the wrong jacket, and it won’t fit in your carry-on, as Travel + Leisure pointed out. It also won’t fit in your seat if you take it off while flying. The best bet is to bring an all-season jacket that is both warm enough for winter and lightweight for crisp falls.
13/26Wear: Essential Clothing For Traveling To Somewhere Hot
If you’re going somewhere that’s hot and has plenty of beaches, you should always pack at least two bathing suits, according to Travel + Leisure. The stylish woman should also bring a swim cover-up and two large and comfy T-shirts, one to use at the beach when it gets a little cool and one to sleep in. Even if you’re traveling during cold months and you are staying at a hotel that has an indoor or heated pool, keeping a bathing suit in your luggage will allow for some impromptu swimming.
12/26Wear: Attire That’s Dependent On Where You’re Going
You should always bring clothing that matches where you’re going. To make this happen, choose clothing in three matching colors that should be based on your destination. According to The New York Times, this means if you are going to an urban destination like New York, you should bring attire in dark colors, such as any combination of black, navy, grey and charcoal. If you are going somewhere tropical, white should be the standard along with bright clothing like orange and pink.
11/26Don’t Wear: Expensive Jewelry
You should never bring expensive jewelry when traveling. If you do and are showing it off, you may just become a mark for thieves and pickpockets. But that’s not the only reason. According to Roma Designer Jewelry, there are more problems when traveling with jewelry. Some are as follows, you might lose pieces while traveling, and they may be expensive or difficult to replace. If you don’t separate your jewelry in your carry-on, your necklaces may get tangled or knotted up.
10/26Wear: Pieces That Exude The Classic American Look
You should bring clothes that have a classic American look. You’ll completely blend in if you are traveling as a tourist and your outfit will take you anywhere. So what’s the classic look? Definitely your favorite pair of jeans, a white T-shirt, and some nice pants or skirts. If you also bring along a chic blazer, all of these things will create several outfits, according to The New York Times. You can wear the T under the blazer for a casual look, a blouse for a more stylish look, and you can dress up the blazer by wearing formal pants.
9/26Wear: The Little Black Dress
We all have the little black dress in our closet, and it’s our go-to dress for dinners out or formal occasions. Because the black dress is so versatile, you should always bring it with you when you travel. While mixing and matching, the black dress, according to Kailay U, can go from day to night in an instant. For an informal look, wear a floppy hat and a lightweight jacket. The style right now is the jean jacket, so wear that if you have one. For more formal affairs, dress up the dress by wearing pearls or some costume jewelry.
8/26Don’t Wear: A Strong Fragrance
Sure, a lot of women wear perfume. But while traveling on an airplane where we’re all sharing the same air, you should keep your favorite perfume to the minimum. Or better yet, especially when your scent offends other passengers, you should do without. And you should also not be experimenting while up in the air because you may spray too much perfume on you. Be respectful of passengers around you. People with allergies, or those with asthma or anyone prone to headaches, as MSN Lifestyle pointed out, will also be bothered by your scent.
7/26Don’t Wear: Clothing That Is Packed Freely
Most women like to wear something different each day while traveling. But as discussed, you do not need an ensemble piece for every occasion. If you pack freely, you’re going to lose room in your luggage and you may have to check one of your bags and pay the cost, as USA Today pointed out. Even if your trip lasts a week, stick to pieces that are of the same hue and which you can mix and match. The example again is the little black dress. You can dress it up with costume jewelry for special occasions and for an informal look, you can wear the dress and cover up your upper body with an infinity scarf.
6/26Wear: Compression Socks
Socks are the last thing on your mind when you start packing for your trip. You usually just bring white no-show cotton socks to match your sneakers for day trips. But if you are flying, compression socks are a necessity, according to The Travel Channel. Sitting for a long period of time wearing regular socks will swell your legs and also cut off the flow of blood circulation. To avoid deep vein thrombosis (also called “Economy Class Syndrome”), always wear compression socks on a flight, which will combat the problem.
5/26Wear: The Karina Dress
While relying on the little black dress and keeping clothes to a minimum, it doesn’t hurt to bring another dress, but only if you have room in your carry-on. The Karina dress is what to bring. After all, the folks at Travel + Leisure searched for the perfect travel dress and the Karina hit all the right buttons. The dress can be shoved into a small carry-on, resists wrinkles, has hemlines that hit just where you like it, and the neckline is becoming without revealing. It’s both versatile and appropriate, and the best part is that variations of the dress work on every single body type.
4/26Wear: The All-Seasons Jacket
If you’re traveling during fall or winter, a jacket will be a necessity. According to Woman On The Road, you should wear a large plastic poncho or lightweight waterproof jacket in the chance of rain or inclement weather since carrying an umbrella can be cumbersome while traveling. There’s only one jacket you should bring. It’s the Barbour Beadnell, the women’s version of the men’s classic Barbour Bedale. Made of waxed cotton, the iconic jacket is waterproof and, being lightweight, is a true all-year round jacket. Ponchos are silly and waterproof jackets may have a too sporty look. The Barbour is classic and looks great with whatever outfit you’re wearing.
3/26Don’t Wear: Shorts
You should never bring shorts, even if you’re going somewhere hot. A woman can wear light beach dresses to keep cool and which are easy to pack and will fit in your carry-on. And besides, in some cultures, shorts show too much leg and locals will consider you as someone who doesn’t respect their customs. For example, Indonesians and Vietnamese never wear shorts no matter how hot it gets. Just put on a pair of jeans or lightweight pants.
2/26Wear: Clothing You Can Layer
Layering clothes is the easiest way of dressing appropriately no matter what the weather. Some clothes that layer well, according to Packsmith, are cotton T-shirts in any style, cotton or merino wool sweaters, leggings (pair with a dress when it’s cold), and a lightweight waterproof jacket if there’s rain or if the A/C on the airplane is too cold. Layering means you can peel off a layer when it’s too hot, or add a sweater when it’s cold.
1/26Don’t Wear: Inappropriate Clothing When Visiting A Religious Site
If you are visiting religious sites like temples, mosques or churches in foreign countries, you may be banned from entering if you are not dressed conservatively. So it’s really important to look up the dress code beforehand. You don’t have to look like a nun, but it’s safe to say in different cultures that immodest outfits that show off even your limbs will be frowned upon. According to Smarter Travel, in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, tank tops and shorts are considered offensive. One thing you should always carry with you in a bag is a scarf or a pashmina, according to Go! Girl Guides, because some Christian places of worship require women to cover their hair.
What to Wear on Trip
Have you ever been on a trip and felt like you had way too many options, but each one was wrong? You know—like the time you took your family to the beach and couldn’t decide between a bathing suit and an evening gown.
We know that when you’re traveling, it’s hard to find clothing that works for every situation: casual lounging, sightseeing, fancy dinners—and everything in between. That’s why we’ve gone through all of our favorite travel outfits and pulled out the best pieces in terms of comfort, versatility, and style.
I have a few tips for packing your bags, but first, let’s talk about what not to do.
- Don’t wear anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You know your body best, so trust yourself on this one. If something feels bad or looks bad on you, don’t bring it along.
- Don’t pack anything that is only going to work in one specific situation. If you’re going on a week-long trip, it’s better to bring more versatile pieces than fewer clothes that look great but can only be worn in one place or another.
- Don’t forget the basics: underwear, socks (and maybe some socks for when it gets colder), pants/shorts/skirts/dresses/etc., tops/shirts/blouses/etc., jackets/coats/sweaters… whatever else you need to feel comfortable as possible!
We all have that one friend who can walk into a party, grocery store, or coffee shop and make it look like she’s been there for hours. She knows how to dress for the occasion and she doesn’t care if it’s out of season.
You’ve probably wondered what she does that makes her so stylish. Is it the way she wears her hair? The way she puts together an outfit? The shoes?
We’re here to tell you that no matter what your style is—whether you’re more tomboyish or girly-girl—we have tips for you on how to look great when you’re traveling.
So, what to keep and what to leave – here are your road trip style essentials.
- Keep: T-shirts and tank tops.
- Leave: Everything tight and itchy.
- Keep: A light cardigan or sweatshirt.
- Leave: Pointy heels and flip flops.
- Keep: Hats, socks, and sunglasses.
- Leave: Too many accessories.
WHAT TO WEAR ON A ROAD TRIP
When traveling for long distances in a car it can be a little difficult to decide what would be the best outfit to wear on a road trip. You want to look cute but still be comfortable, and of course, depending the time of year, and how long you will be in the car will determine the type of clothes you end of wearing. Or you might need multiple road trip outfits because you trip will span across multiple days! Did someone say cross-country road trip?
If you have a road trip approaching and are wondering what to wear on a road trip to not only look stylish but be comfortable as well this post is for you! I have taken many road trips over the years and these are six quick style tips that I always follow when putting together road trip outfits!
WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES
I love high heels and wedges as much as the next gal but when most of your time will be in a car you need shoes that you can easily take on and off and be comfortable walking in to quickly explore an area.
When Peter and I go on road trips we usually research locations we want to stop along the way to our destination. We quickly pull over and explore the area, take a few photos and continue on our way. Usually, we run across the road for the photo or go on a little hike so comfortable shoes are key.
In addition to exploring beautiful areas, opting for flats, slip ons, or sneakers makes it easy to slip your shoes on and off and you’re also not super worried if they get thrown around in the car. As road trips go, you usually have a bag full of snacks on the floor and if you take off your shoes they will usually get thrown to the trunk or pushed under the seat.
On summer road trips wear flats or sneakers. My favorite style of flats to wear is Tieks. I love this brand for several reasons but the reason I like wearing these flats on road trips is that they fold and come in a little pouch that you can throw in your travel tote or large handbag. When you need them just pull them out and slip them on for a cute road trip outfit.
If you prefer sneakers, personally I don’t prefer running or athletic sneakers. I like more casual and everyday sneakers as they make for nicer road trip outfits. For example, these New Balance ‘574’ Sneaker, Naturalizer Morrison Sneaker, or Cole Hann Wingtip Sneaker are great options. Each sneaker is stylish yet comfortable.
If you need some ideas on what to wear in the summer take a look at look at this summer outfits guide.
WEAR LAYERS
Depending on the time of year you are traveling you might need to wear warmer clothes but one thing to always keep in mind is layers. If you get too warm remove a layer, if it gets chilly; add on your long sleeve, sweater, or jacket.
In this road trip outfit, I am wearing a thin boyfriend tee and a button-down long sleeve shirt. This was a road trip I took in March along the California coast, so pretty much pretty weather but a little fresh so I love having the option to freely add or remove a layer.
For warmer weather, you could also layer, a tank top with a denim jacket.
If the temperature is very cold during your road trip consider wearing a warm vest as a layer. This is a winter road trip outfit I wore while exploring Colorado National Monument. I will layer a cute vest over a sweater and if it snows I would add a large coat over, as I did in this winter road trip outfit. I love vests as an option because they keep you warm without being too bulky.
6 tips for stylish road trip outfit – Stylishlyme.com
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LEGGINGS OVER DENIM (OR SHORTS FOR SUMMER)
I want to be comfortable while sitting in the car for hours so I opt for leggings instead of jeans or trousers. This way I can cross my legs and blog on my laptop if I want to. Black is better for leggings than any other color. Not only do they look slimming but they hide the occasional stain caused by road trip snacks.
Leggings work great for winter, fall, and spring road trips. If you’re on a summer road trip wear comfortable shorts. Again, nothing too tight or denim. Instead, opt for drawstring shorts, these Drawstring Waist Chambray Shorts are the perfect example, or these Pull-On Shorts by Madewell are another great option for a comfortable road trip outfit.
This style of shorts is also great if you’re wearing a bathing suit underneath. Maybe you’re doing a California beach road trip and you want to jump into the ocean as soon as you arrive, well these shorts are easy to take on and off.
If you want to know what you can and can’t wear with leggings and how to create a variety of outfits with the same black leggings read: What to Wear with Leggings & 20 Style Tips on How to Wear Them.
BRING A TRAVEL TOTE OR LARGE HANDBAG
A little clutch for a road trip just won’t do. A large handbag is what you need to bring with you on a road trip to hold all of your necessities. Makeup for touch-ups or extra hair ties, hand sanitizer, and of course mints and snacks.
In my handbag, I carry with me a few essentials: phone, face powder, Chapstick, Kleenex, notebook, pen, iPad mini, wallet, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, gum, hair ties, and bobby pins. These are the items I need to have within arm’s reach and not in a suitcase in the trunk.
SUNGLASSES!
Again, long hours in a car can be hard on you, at times it is hard one me, so I bring a handy pair of sunglasses to cover my tired eyes. As with long flights, sunglasses are an item you don’t want to forget.
Sunglasses can hide your tiredness immediately and if you’re spending hours under the glaring sun make sure to protect those eyes! Sunglasses don’t only make you look cooler, sunglasses prevent wrinkles.
WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
There is no way to keep my hair full of life after three-plus hours in a car, windows rolled down or not. To not be bothered by my hair’s lack of bounce I always wear it up.
Wear your hair in a bun or in a ponytail, whichever looks cutest with your road trip outfit. This will keep you looking cute even with the seven-plus hours you’ve spent road-trippin’ it and singing Californication at the top of your lungs.
COMFORTABLE STYLISH CLOTHES FOR ROAD TRIPS
There you have it, quick and easy style tips for stylish road trip outfits. I hope this post has helped you determine what to wear on a road trip so you can enjoy the ride and still look cute in photos.
