As a seasoned travel content creator for travels.edu.vn, I’ve traversed countless miles this year, from extensive journeys to Vietnam, Cape Town, and Hawaii, to shorter hops to iconic destinations like Paris, Rome, and even the remote landscapes of Greenland. Having accumulated over 77,000 miles in the air and counting, I’ve learned firsthand the absolute necessity of prioritizing comfort during travel.
Spending so much time in transit has allowed me to meticulously refine my go-to travel uniform. This isn’t just any outfit; it’s the perfectly balanced comfortable airport ensemble that ensures I remain at ease on long travel days, regardless of my destination. My tried-and-true formula rarely deviates from a selection of relaxed yet stylish clothing essentials, ranging from supportive footwear to the ideal tee and a chic bomber jacket. Continue reading to discover my essential picks that consistently ensure I both look and feel my best throughout every journey.
Cozy Airport Staples I Rely On:
Comfortable Shoes
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, Canvas, and Suede
Alt text: Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles sneakers in grey, essential comfortable travel shoes.
Supportive and comfortable shoes are the cornerstone of any great travel outfit. They are absolutely fundamental for navigating airports and exploring new places. I typically rotate between several styles, but regardless of the specific pair, my travel shoes are always sneakers. Sneakers provide the necessary support for rushing through airports and are sock-compatible, which is ideal if you need to remove your shoes at security checkpoints. A podiatrist recently suggested I try Allbirds, praising them for their exceptional lightweight feel and cushioned support. I’m particularly fond of the Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles because their water-resistant nature makes them incredibly versatile for unpredictable weather conditions and diverse terrains I might encounter upon arrival. For a versatile white sneaker option, I also appreciate my stylish Vejas. Additionally, Kiziks are a fantastic choice, offering sneaker-like support with a convenient slip-on design, perfect for quick removal and re-wearing at airport security.
Similar styles I love:
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, and Running Shoe
Alt text: Hoka Clifton 9 sneakers in blue and white, recommended supportive running shoes for travel.
Hoka Clifton 9 sneaker
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and Sneaker
Alt text: New Balance 327 sneakers in grey and white, stylish and comfortable sneakers for travel.
New Balance 327 sneaker
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, and Canvas
Alt text: Kiziks Irvine Slip-on sneakers in white canvas, easy slip-on travel sneakers for airport security.
Kiziks Irvine Slip-on sneaker
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, and Canvas
Alt text: Veja V-10 white leather sneakers, fashionable and comfortable travel shoes for women.
Veja V-10 sneaker
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and Sneaker
Alt text: Lululemon Cityverse sneakers in white, versatile and supportive sneakers for active travelers.
Lululemon Cityverse sneaker
$138 at Lululemon (women’s sizes)
$138 at Lululemon (men’s sizes)
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, and Canvas
Alt text: Banana Republic Vegan Leather sneakers in white, eco-friendly and stylish travel sneaker option.
Banana Republic Vegan Leather sneakers
Put-together Pants
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, and Jeans
Alt text: Aday Turn It Up black tailored pants, wrinkle-resistant and comfortable travel pants for women.
A basic pair of black pants serves as a versatile and neutral foundation for my comfortable airport outfits. Black is incredibly practical as it pairs effortlessly with almost anything and effectively conceals stains or wrinkles, which is invaluable after extended travel days. My preferred travel pants are the Aday Turn It Up pants for several compelling reasons. They offer pajama-level comfort but feature a tailored cut, ensuring they appear polished enough for dining out immediately upon arrival. Furthermore, their wrinkle-resistant fabric is a significant advantage after hours spent seated on a plane. Similar stylish and practical options include Banana Republic’s stretchy Ponte pant, adaptable for both casual and more dressed-up occasions, and Everlane’s Easy pant. While I once avoided sweatpants and athleisure for airport attire—perhaps I was a bit traditional!—certain well-designed, sleek joggers have changed my perspective. They’ve earned a place in my rotation, especially for long-haul flights. Specifically, Cozy Earth CityScape sweatpants and the exceptionally soft Vuori Performance jogger are excellent choices that look fantastic when paired with a bomber jacket.
Similar styles I love:
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Adult, and Person
Alt text: Baleaf Lightweight women’s black joggers, comfortable and affordable joggers for travel outfits.
Baleaf Lightweight women’s joggers
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Adult, Person, Jeans, Footwear, and Sandal
Alt text: Everlane The Easy black pants, versatile and comfortable black pants for travel.
Everlane The Easy Pant
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Home Decor, Linen, Person, Footwear, Shoe, and Sneaker
Alt text: Cozy Earth CityScape grey sweatpants, luxurious and comfortable sweatpants for long flights.
Cozy Earth CityScape sweatpants
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, and Khaki
Alt text: Daily Practice by Anthropologie Base Jump Parachute khaki pants, trendy and comfortable parachute pants for travel.
Daily Practice by Anthropologie Base Jump Parachute Pants
Image may contain: Clothing, Apparel, Pants, Denim, Jeans, Human, and Person
Alt text: Vuori Performance black Jogger pants, soft and comfortable jogger pants for travel and everyday wear.
Vuori Performance Jogger
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Adult, Person, and Jeans
Alt text: Banana Republic Crop Flare Everywhere Ponte black Pant, stylish and comfortable flare pants for travel.
Banana Republic Crop Flare Everywhere Ponte Pant
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, and Jeans
Alt text: Spanx AirEssentials wide leg black pants, lightweight and breathable wide leg pants for travel.
Spanx AirEssentials wide leg pants
The Perfect Tee
Image may contain: Clothing, T-Shirt, Pants, Adult, Person, and Blouse
Alt text: Madewell Supima Rib white Tee, versatile and comfortable white tee for travel outfits.
Perhaps the most indispensable and versatile item in my entire wardrobe is a classic plain white tee. I particularly favor the flattering fit of this one from Madewell. Its adaptability is unmatched; it complements everything in my luggage—whether layered under a blazer or bomber jacket, or worn simply on its own with jeans, joggers, or skirts. It effortlessly transitions from casual daytime looks to more refined evening ensembles. An added advantage is its dual functionality as a base layer for open-front cardigans and button-down shirts, making it a truly essential piece for any travel wardrobe. Another exceptional tee I’ve discovered is the Aday Made It T-shirt, lauded for being wrinkle-free, wonderfully stretchy, and offering built-in UV protection, features that are especially beneficial for travel.
Similar styles I love:
Image may contain: Clothing, T-Shirt, Blouse, Pants, Sleeve, Person, and Adult
Alt text: Vuori Energy short sleeve Tee in grey, comfortable and breathable tee for travel and workouts.
Vuori Energy Tee
Image may contain: Clothing, Apparel, Sleeve, Long Sleeve, and T-Shirt
Alt text: Everlane Organic Cotton Box-Cut white Tee, sustainable and comfortable organic cotton tee for travel.
Everlane Organic Cotton Box-Cut Tee
Image may contain: Clothing, T-Shirt, Sleeve, Adult, Person, and Shirt
Alt text: Aday Made It short sleeve black T-shirt, wrinkle-free and UV protective tee for travel.
Aday Made It T-shirt
Alt text: Banana Republic Timeless grey T-Shirt, classic and affordable t-shirt for travel.
Banana Republic Timeless T-Shirt
Image may contain: Blouse, Clothing, Adult, Person, Undershirt, and Tank Top
Alt text: Banana Republic ribbed scoop-neck white tank top, basic and versatile tank top for layering in travel outfits.
Banana Republic ribbed scoop-neck tank
Image may contain: Clothing, Tank Top, Vest, Adult, and Person
Alt text: Artfish women’s Scoop-neck sleeveless white shirt, affordable and comfortable sleeveless shirt for warm travel destinations.
Artfish women’s Scoop-neck sleeveless shirt
Image may contain: Person, Sitting, Pain, Adult, Clothing, Sleeve, Face, Head, Arm, and Body Part
Alt text: Banana Republic linen-cotton white t-shirt, lightweight and breathable linen blend tee for summer travel outfits.
Banana Republic linen-cotton t-shirt
Image may contain: Clothing, Shirt, Long Sleeve, Sleeve, Home Decor, and Linen
Alt text: Banana Republic silky cotton white button-down shirt, elegant and versatile button-down for travel.
Banana Republic silky cotton button-down shirt
Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Shirt, Jeans, Accessories, Belt, and Person
Alt text: J.Crew Wren Slim Western Chambray blue shirt, stylish chambray shirt for layering in travel outfits.
J.Crew Wren Slim Western Chambray shirt
Sleek Bomber Jacket
Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, Jacket, and Blazer
Alt text: Marine Layer men’s Rossland Dry Wax Bomber jacket in green, comfortable and stylish bomber jacket for travel.
I often prefer men’s jackets for travel, finding them generally more comfortable and with a perfectly relaxed, oversized fit. A prime example is this bomber jacket I “borrowed” from my husband—and have no intention of returning! I appreciate its roomy yet flattering silhouette, its lightweight feel that still provides sufficient warmth against the often intense air conditioning on planes, and its water-repellent finish. If you prefer a more traditionally feminine style, you can’t go wrong with classic women’s options like the oversized Lululemon bomber jacket or the sporty and water-resistant Athleta Jetset Bomber.
Similar styles I love:
Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, Jacket, Skirt, Blazer, Long Sleeve, and Sleeve
Alt text: Lululemon Lightweight Hem-cinch black Bomber Jacket, lightweight and versatile bomber jacket for women’s travel outfits.
Lululemon Lightweight Hem-cinch Bomber Jacket
Alt text: Athleta Jetset black Bomber jacket, sporty and water-repellent bomber for travel.
Athleta Jetset Bomber
Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, People, Person, Long Sleeve, Sleeve, and Fashion
Alt text: Alo Yoga Mixed Media Reinvention black Jacket, stylish and comfortable jacket for yoga enthusiasts and travelers.
Alo Yoga Mixed Media Reinvention Jacket
Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, Jacket, Blazer, Adult, and Person
Alt text: Zeagoo women’s Classic black Bomber Jacket, affordable and classic bomber jacket for travel.
Zeagoo women’s Classic Bomber Jacket
Trusty Luggage
Alt text: Away The Bigger Carry-on luggage in green, durable and stylish carry-on luggage for frequent travelers.
Away The Bigger Carry-on
Image may contain: Bag, Tote Bag, Accessories, and Handbag
Alt text: Away Everywhere black Tote bag, spacious and functional tote bag as personal item for travel.
Away Everywhere Tote
I genuinely can’t recall a single flight in the past five years where I didn’t have my Away Bigger Carry-On and Everywhere Tote in tow. I am an avid carry-on only traveler, consciously avoiding checked baggage whenever possible, and these two bags make it remarkably easy to do so. The Bigger Carry-On offers ample space, allowing me to pack for up to two weeks, rolls effortlessly through airports, and adheres to the maximum size restrictions for overhead bins on most airlines. Even on smaller regional planes, if it doesn’t fit overhead, gate checking is usually complimentary. I personally own the original hardside version, but for those preferring a softer exterior, a Softside Bigger Carry-On has recently been released. Furthermore, the Everywhere Tote is the ideal personal item to complement the carry-on, accommodating all my essentials, including my 13-inch laptop. Its thoughtful design also includes a convenient strap that slides securely over the carry-on handle and a zipper closure to keep contents contained when placed under the seat during flights.
Similar styles I love:
Image may contain: Baggage, and Suitcase
Alt text: Monos Carry-on luggage in black, minimalist and functional carry-on luggage for modern travel.
Monos Carry-on
Alt text: Béis The Carry-On Roller luggage in beige, stylish and practical carry-on roller luggage for female travelers.
Béis The Carry-On Roller
Alt text: July Carry-On Light luggage in silver, lightweight and durable carry-on luggage for efficient travel.
July Carry-On Light
Image may contain: Baggage, and Suitcase
Alt text: Samsonite Freeform carry-on spinner luggage in navy, lightweight and spacious carry-on spinner for easy travel.
Samsonite Freeform carry-on spinner
Compression Socks
Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks
Alt text: Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks in navy blue, essential compression socks for long flights to prevent swelling.
Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks
Following a particularly long 13+ hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City to London that left one of my legs noticeably swollen and uncomfortable, I made a firm commitment to always wear compression socks on extended flights. Comrad’s socks, with a compression level of 15-20 mmHg, are excellent for promoting healthy circulation and significantly reducing the discomfort and swelling that can occur during prolonged air travel. They have proven to be incredibly effective for me thus far.
Similar styles I love:
Alt text: Bombas Everyday Compression black socks, comfortable everyday compression socks for travel and daily wear.
Bombas Everyday Compression socks
Alt text: Charmking grey compression socks, affordable and colorful compression socks for travel.
Charmking compression socks
Image may contain: Clothing, Hosiery, and Sock
Alt text: Hanes white compression socks, basic white compression socks for travel comfort.
Hanes compression socks
