What to wear on a plane: outfit inspiration to help you travel in style
Jet off in style - here's what to wear on a plane according to fashion experts
With vacation season in full swing, working out what to wear on a plane can be a sartorial nightmare, particularly if you're on a long-haul flight or heading from cool climes to warmer weather.
When it comes to plane outfits, the journey is by no means a runway show. But whether you're jetting off with friends and family, or going on a work assignment, the trip starts as soon as you hit the airport, so wanting to look your best is perfectly understandable. Comfort is key, particularly if you're getting on a long-haul flight. For short-haul flights, you may be happy with a smart casual outfit, so you're ready to go when you get there. However, it's also a good idea to consider the time of landing and weather in your final destination before deciding what to wear on the plane. Your best loungewear might feel cozy on the flight, but if you're stepping off into the midday sun, you might want to rethink, or have a spare outfit packed in your hand luggage.
What to wear on a plane will very much come down to individual taste, but pulling some simple essentials as a basis could be a good place to start. Dresses in jersey fabric can make great travel partners, but if you're loyal to your best t-shirt and jeans combination, think about more relaxed leg fits or denim with stretch, so you can feel more at ease on the journey, as there will be a lot of sitting around. Planes can also get quite cold, so don't be afraid to sharpen up your look with one of your best hoodies or a chic oversized blazer for extra style and warmth. You'll also want to carefully consider your accessories. With hand luggage at a premium and with shoes needing to be removed for airport security, think about the ergonomics of your outfit. Can your shoes slip on and off easily? Will your bag fit under your seat or in the overhead locker and can you get those essentials in there?
To help you navigate this tricky task, we've compiled a useful guide and breakdown of outfit possibilites.
What to wear on a plane according to fashion editors
Whether it's work or play, what to wear on a plane has no easy answer. There are so many elements of the day to consider, particularly if you're going on a long-haul or night flight. Whatever you decide on, keep comfort as the focal point, and use the styling tips laid out below as a way to add polish to your finished look.
Consider the time of day and temperature at your final destination and if you're heading straight to your accommodation or if you're going directly into a meeting or social setting. Airports generally involve a lot of walking, so make sure you have comfortable flats, as you don't want to be sprinting for final boarding in heels.
It's always a good idea to take a decent size hand luggage with spare essentials, such as underwear, and an outfit for the following day, so that if anything happens to your suitcase at the other end, you at least have the necessities. Also navigating what to pack for a beach vacation? If you're checking into a resort earlier than the arrival time, you might also want to have your best swimsuit in your hand luggage, so you can check your bags at reception and head straight to the pool.
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1. Loungewear
Athleisure remains a big spring/summer fashion trend 2023, as designers continue to use sports-luxe as a guiding principle for many key looks. The best leggings, joggers and sweatshirts are all great choices for what to wear on a plane, but to keep the style factor high, opt for coordinating two pieces with more directional cuts. Think wide-leg, soft jersey pants, and matching sweatshirts for an outfit that works for both comfort and design. To keep your hair neat, investigate how to wear headbands and pair your coord with a soft fabric hairband that you can easily remove and fold away into your hand luggage if needed. Slip a lightweight jersey tee into your holdall if heading to hotter climes, as you can easily pop this on at the other end and tie your jumper around your waist.
A styling tip...
If opting for flared or wide-leg trousers, choose a fitted top or sweater to rebalance your silhouette.
RRP: £138 / $225 | An elasticated waistband and wide-leg fit are the ultimate combination for heading onto a plane. Pair these with a neutral t-shirt and the best white trainers to highlight the leg lengthening, side stripe detailing. Practical and stylish - what more could you want.
RRP: £88 / $88 | American clothing brand Skims is great for comfy loungewear looks and these cozy, elasticated waist, knit pants are no exception, the flared leg adds style too. Opt for one of this season's spring/summer shoe trends, platform trainers to avoid sweeping airport floors with the hems.
RRP: $27.90 / £17.99 | Sharpen up your loungewear ensemble with a Breton striped top. Always on-trend, this navy and white jumper is relatively lightweight, but still warm enough for hanging out in the airport or beating the airplane aircon chill.
2. Blazer
The best blazers offer a sharp and stylish finish to any outfit. A great swap for a coat, as it offers instant polish and a lighter feel. An oversized design will look chic as part of a legging outfit, teamed with jeans or even thrown over a loungewear co-ord for extra polish. An ideal piece when it comes to what to wear on a plane, you can roll your jacket into the overhead locker and use it on cool evenings on the trip itself. If you're headed out on a business trip, a blazer paired with some of the best skinny jeans is a directional ensemble to make your arrival in too.
A styling tip...
Pair blazers with leggings or use as the answer to how to style jeans for an easy way to achieve a formal look without jeopardizing comfort.
RRP: £79.99 / $129.99 | A colorful but tailored blazer will add a smarter finish to any look. Pink is a big fashion color trend 2023 and this rose hued design can easily be thrown over any of the best midi dresses on your trip if you get cold in the evening too.
RRP: £49.99 / $69.90 | You can never go wrong with a classic, tailored black blazer. Easy to wear over linen trousers for work, this relaxed rolled sleeve design is perfect for delivering that vacation feel, pair with a camisole for a smart alfresco dinner outfit.
RRP: £279 / $465 | A monochrome blazer will always look smart. This office-ready design will add a sleek finish to any look and can be easily slipped on top of a hoodie or sweater. Don't forget your best crossbody bag to keep travel documents safe.
3. Jeans
When it comes to the best jeans to wear on a plane, you want to choose the most comfortable jeans, as there will be a lot of sitting around - particularly if you're on a long-haul flight. High waists and relaxed leg styles such as a mom jean, or barrel leg design are both stylish and comfortable for plane journeys. Jeans with lots of stretch in them are the top choice for long haul flights and you can even look for draw-cord waisted styles for a more sporty and laidback feel. What you want to avoid is skin tight denim that makes you feel constricted, and remember you'll be sat on a plane for quite some time, as make sure your waistband won't dig in.
An ideal look for short-haul city breaks where you'll want to step off the plane and straight into your adventure.
A styling tip...
Pair jeans with strappy sandals that you can get on and off with ease, to keep your look ready for sunnier climes.
RRP: £140 / $148 | Marry 2023's love of the cargo trouser with denim to achieve style and practicality when traveling. With a wide leg fit, and high rise waist, these tap into the current '90s fashion trends. But it's the practical pockets we're loving for a trip.
RRP: £22.50 (UK only) | Jeggings are ideal if you want a more polished look with all the comfort of the best leggings with pockets. This dark indigo pair will team with everything from blazers to your best sweaters for comfort, style and polish.
You can browse the latest M&S discount codes to save money on your next purchase, too.
RRP: £95 / $69.50 | Looking for more structure when traveling? Opt for the best straight-leg jeans, like these Levi's, which have medium-stretch to keep you comfortable. Pair with a blazer for a work trip or with a jumper to lean into their more casual feel.
4. Dresses
When it comes to the best dresses, midi and maxi dresses are a stylish and practical choice for what to wear on a plane, particularly if you opt for soft jersey designs or loose-fitting cotton iterations. A chic way to make an impact but stay comfortable, a well-selected dress will also be just right if you're landing into warmer weather. Easy to layer, you can style a cardigan over the top or a t-shirt underneath for added comfort on your out-going trip and a pretty summer dress can even then be re-worn during the holiday itself, making your suitcase that little bit lighter.
A styling tip...
Pair midi dresses with trainers and maxi dresses with flatform sandals or clog style sandals as these shoes are some of the best flat shoes to wear with dresses and will be easy to remove at airport security.
RRP: £90 / $130 | We've cracked the perfect airport outfit with this dress. Lightweight jersey in a dopamine dressing-inspired hue, this dress can be worn for the plane with a sweater over the top, or tee underneath, then repurposed as a beach cover-up.
RRP: £35 / $39.99 | Jersey t-shirt dresses make fantastic plane outfit partners. For the flight out, team with a pair of stretchy leggings for added comfort, before removing your leggings on landing, making you sunny weather-ready in an instant. We love this one's simplicity.
RRP: $89.50 (US only) | One of the best plus size dresses, Torrid is an American clothing brand that specializes in on-trend plus size clothing. This black dress has a flattering high waist detail and A-line skirt, delivering a relaxed fit for sitting on the plane.
5. Shoes
When it comes to shoes to wear on a plane there are several factors to consider. Days at an airport can be extremely long, with lots of walking, whether that's around duty-free, or racing through never-ending corridors to make final boarding, so comfort is of utmost importance. In addition to this, you may need to remove your shoes for airport security, so choosing something with an easy fastening or shoes that slip on and off can save time and energy too. We always recommend opting for flat shoes, unless, you're like Victoria Beckham in one of the best shoe quotes, and "can't concentrate in flats", then we recommend you wear your most comfortable heels.
A styling tip...
Trainers are of course good options, but when selecting your traveling shoes, try to go for a pair that you can wear during the trip too as this saves on luggage. Whether that's a sneaker for sightseeing or your best sandals for every day, anything to lighten the load is a smart idea.
RRP: £140 / $175 | A neutral trainer will add versatility to your holiday wardrobe. Pairable with basically anything, these Veja sneakers offer relaxed glamour to any outfit. Loved by fashion editors, celebrities and royals, they're sustainable too.
RRP: £130 / $158 | If you're looking for a closed-toe shoe that is not a trainer, Birkenstock clogs in suede are a great alternative, as they'll slide on and off easily for security. You can also wear them on your trip instead of packing your best slippers.
6. Bags
The best backpacks are an obvious choice for traveling. Offering hands-free capabilities, you'll still be able to roll your luggage along and have your essentials close at hand. If you prefer however to keep your items where you have eyes on them, crossbody bags and the best totes are strong bag options when it comes to what to wear on a plane. You'll want to check your individual airline's policy for carry-on luggage, as some only let you take one piece of hand luggage of a specific size and this needs to be factored into your decision making, sometimes the best weekend bags work as carry-ons too. If you've not traveled in some time, you may have forgotten how frequently you need to produce your travel documents, make sure to choose a bag with a zipped compartment that you can easily access to stow them in safely.
A styling tip...
As with shoes, try to choose a bag that can be used during your stay, it might mean that your carry-on luggage is a tote that doubles up as one of the best beach bags, but in the long run it lightens your packing.
RRP: £85 / $119 | Every frequent flyer knows the benefits of a good backpack and this option is ideal for someone traveling for work. Laptop friendly, with multiple compartments and a 14-litre capacity, this bag is prepared for your next adventure.
RRP: £65 / $90 | Using the brand's signature water repellent fabric, this tote bag is ideal for a carry-on, to beach bag holdall. The water repellent fabric makes it hardworking against pool or sea splashes, while the secure zip and two ways to hold make it versatile and secure.
RRP: £14.90 / $19.90 | Crossbody bags are great for remaining hands-free when traveling and this Uniqlo nylon bag has produced one of the biggest spring/summer handbag trends of 2023, with multiple colourways of this design already selling out. Ideal for keeping items close.
Rivkie is a fashion editor, writer and stylist with twenty years' experience in the industry. Rivkie studied design and pattern cutting at the London College of Fashion, and fell in love with styling and journalism, and has covered fashion weeks in London, Paris and New York, as well as shooting editorial all over the world.
Specialising in plus size fashion, Rivkie has long championed that style is for everyBODY and has appeared on a host of radio stations and television shows, pushing for greater representation for plus size women and fashion throughout her career.
- Maya SargentGraduate writer
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