AIRPORT OUTFIT IDEAS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO GETTING TRAVEL READY
I don’t know about you, but my fall trip seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Looking forward to upcoming trips to NYC and Dallas in September. I’m also planning a trip to London and going to Charleston in November – and that’s all before the holidays start! Whenever I travel, whether it’s a quick flight or a longer distance, my goal is to always feel comfortable, but also always feel comfortable. Today I’m going to walk you through some of my ideas and strategies to get you travel-ready. You’ll see some of my key steps to putting together a great airport outfit: comfortable and sophisticated pants, shoes you know can work all day, all the right layers, and of course, the right accessories for the job!
Step 1: BOTTOMS UP
Let’s start with what to wear at the bottom with some of the pants and denim options I love on travel days. I don’t mind traveling in jeans as long as they have stretch and aren’t too tight. Right now my favorite travel denims are these straight leg jeans, these high rise jeans, and these more relaxed denims. I usually like a crop or ankle length as I find they fit better with different shoe options while still looking great visually. If you’re looking for an alternative to denim, I would HIGHLY recommend these relaxed cargo pants that I’ve been wearing a lot lately. They have a great cut and are super easy to style – for travel and beyond. In the cooler travel months you can find me in these amazing leggings!
Step 2: FOCUS ON THE FEET
Once I’ve decided on my pant choice, my next unlock for a great airport outfit is the shoes. Normally I would go for a sophisticated sneaker or loafer, but I also travel in a comfortable trunk, especially if I’m trying to save space in my luggage. I’ll be wearing these sneakers all season long and plan on traveling in them A LOT this month. This brand is one of my other favorite sneaker brands. I also love these loafers and these loafers . Another good option? A great ballet flat. The Chanel ballet is perfect for a flight, but I also love this chic apartment I recently bought. In the summer months I opt for no socks or no show socks, but in cooler temperatures I will add a visible sock to complete the look and add a little more comfort and warmth.
Step 3: LOW UP
Okay, the next steps in my airport outfit are the layers! I always wear a third piece of clothing (even in the middle of summer) because airports, taxis and planes can often be unpredictably cold. My third piece of choice is usually a great blazer or quilted jacket. If you’re looking for a travel-friendly blazer, I highly recommend this , this and this . As for the quilted pieces, this , this and this are my favorites at the moment. In addition to a third piece, I also always have a cashmere sling with me. I still wear the shawl from my old Nordstrom collection that I love, but this oversized shawl and this one are cozy options too.
Step 4: FINISHES
When it comes to completing an airport outfit, you simply can’t forget the accessories. For years I have been carrying this carrying case that is specifically designed to slip over the handle of a hard suitcase. It’s lightweight, can be worn over the shoulder or crossbody, has so many great interior and exterior pockets, and is durable and easy to clean. However, I just took a quick trip and brought this quilted bag and absolutely loved it. I feel like it’s not as functional as my Jimmy bag, but it was functional enough while being much more of a fashion statement. When it comes to travel bags, my two non-negotiable rules are that they must have a zipper at the top and they must be able to be worn over the shoulder or as a crossbody.
Once I’ve come up with my airport outfit idea, there are a few add-ons I can’t live without. I always organize my luggage with packing cubes and these are some of my favorites! I also tag everything I can for my peace of mind. Unfortunately, we all know what a nightmare travel can be, and with all the delays and cancellations, I like to feel protected because I always know exactly where my bags are. I also never leave home without a Lightning charging cable. These wonders charge phones SO fast – I don’t know how I lived without them.
MAKE SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS
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Every now and then during summer trips I mix it up and wear a knit dress as an alternative to pants, swapping my heavier scarf options for something lighter, like a silk scarf. This dress (see how I styled it here) and this dress make excellent travel companions and I love so many of the silk scarf options here. Alternatively, in the cooler winter I can trade in my blazer or jacket for a more proper jacket option. This and this are both on my winter must-have list.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for my airport outfit ideas and how to prepare for travel, but stay tuned, later this month I’ll be posting a big roundup of my favorite quilted pieces for the season, as well as a guide to all my current favorite denim fits and washes. As always, you can see more of what I like here , and more of what I’ve been wearing lately here .