With spring on the horizon, travel prep is in motion, and while itineraries and packing lists are coming together, one question remains: what are you wearing for the journey? The one packing detail you can’t overlook? Your look. The answer is right here. Whether you’re off to enjoy snowy slopes, sandy beaches, or bustling city streets, this travel style edit will ensure a flawless—and fabulous—arrival.
But first a few rules to fly by:
Your In-Flight ChicList
1. Dress to the Destination: Get there set (& styled) to go. What you wear should reflect where you land and take you well beyond baggage claim.
2. Comfort is key and careless is a casualty: Athleisure is for working out, loungewear is for lounging. Neither belongs at 30, 000 feet en route to somewhere fabulous.
3. Functional Is Fashionable: You know you’ll be going through security. You know the connection to Aspen might mean gate-checking your carry-on. Be practical. A little forethought goes a long way.
4. Consider the Capsule: Every well-dressed wanderluster packs with purpose—and a plan. At the center of that strategy? Pieces that can be reworked into entirely new looks and what you wear on your way there is no exception. Every piece should pull its weight. Chic in transit, and endlessly adaptable on arrival.
In-Flight Fashion
Wear by Where
The Ski Trip The Beach Vacation Spring in the City The Long Haul
The Ski Trip
Of all the trips that warrant a reminder that what you wear to the gym (or the couch) is not airport-appropriate attire, a ski getaway tops the list. While denim is my personal pick for this trip (and most trips), let’s dispel the myth that jeans are the only travel-worthy option. Enter the Ponte pant; the feel of a legging but the polish of a trouser, the Ponte Pant keeps you comfortable, crisp, and compliant with Rule #2: Wear actual clothes.
Jeans or Ponte, either pairs effortlessly with a classic white tee and a cashmere sweater—an easy yet elevated combo. Stick to neutral tones like black and beige for endless looks for all your off-piste plans.
Nothing makes a warmer welcome more essential than landing somewhere cold—and for that, your winter coat is a non-negotiable. Keeping it close is as good a reason (if not better) as any to take full advantage of your carry-on allowance. Fold it up, pack it in, and bring it on (board) to ensure you’re ready to go the moment you land (and covered-literally-in the increasingly common case of a suitcase snafu).
As for your footwear, follow suit and board in your boots. While I usually favor easy-on, easy-off shoes for airport convenience, nothing compromises comfort like cold feet. For ski trips, snow-ready footwear takes precedence over security-friendly slip-ons. With TSA PreCheck, you won’t need to remove them anyway.
The Beach Vacation
Packing for a beach trip? Easy. Dressing for the journey? Not so much. Sundresses and swimwear aren’t exactly airport-appropriate. So, how do you pull off travel style that’s practical, polished, and still follows the rules?
Go light and airy (dress to the destination) and choose an ensemble that earns its keep—at the very least, for the return (consider your capsule).
Lightweight seperates (linen is my favorite) in complimenting neutrals for an airport look that is a propos while still honoring the dress code fitting to your final desination. Pair a khaki, black, white, or navy bottom with a perfect-fit tee or sleeveless button-down, under your favortite “goes-with-everything” layer—jean jacket for me—for the unpredictable in-flight temps. And on my feet? Espadrilles.
Spring and the City
City style calls for sophistication with a signature touch. Two wardrobe essentials for any city look? A great jean and a chic black pant. Either one works for the journey—and for endless styling after. A classic crisp white tee or button down light layer and a daytime flat, like the timeless Chanel cap-toe ballet slippers. Last but not least, a city style essential; the timeless trench—a piece that should be mandatory for any woman old enough to travel on her own.
The Long Haul
While destination-driven dress is still the rule, long-haul flights call for a few thoughtful adjustments. My in-flight goal? Sleep; Sleep—long, hard, and wake just in time for touchdown.
The supporting get-up? A long, lightweight cashmere dress—easy, effortless, soft, and sophisticated. This one-and-done piece offers the comfort of a luxurious robe while presenting as polished and put-together. Layer it with a boyfriend blazer for uncompromised comfort that still feels elevated.
And the shoes… My in-flight footwear strategy involves slipping out of my shoes and into my soft sleep-inducing cashmere slipper socks. And since what goes off must come back on, there are some things to consider (hello, altitude-induced swelling). The solution? The mule—sleek, simple, and perfectly suited for the long haul (and beyond).
My In-Flight Icons
A few things I don’t leave home without no matter where I am off to:
My Expandable Longchamp Bag: The perfect carry-all to carry on, this version of the Longchamp Pliage practically doubles in size on demand. Gate checks? No big deal—just expand the bag and use the extra space to relocate your in-flight essentials. And even when your larger bag does makes it onboard, the extra space proves invaluable—fill it, zip it, and slide it “under the seat in front of you” for effortless access throughout the flight.
An Easy-Access & Essentials-Only Secondary Bag: The perfect place for your airport navigation essentials—boarding passes, IDs, phone, and credit card—kept secure, organized, and, if you’re a mom, free from everyone else’s clutter taking over your so called personal item. This was the initial purpose for the Longchamp mentioned and pictured above. A few that are as chic as they are practical and have recently caught my eye:
An Everything-in-One Charger: First, it was different charging cables. Then, different adapter ports? Keeping the charging situation straight at home is hard enough—let alone while traveling. Enter the Charmast Portable Charger: all the cords you need, built right in, to charge all the things. You’re welcome.
Shout Wipes & Wrinkle Spray for stepping out in flawless flyer style. Not all laundry wipes are created equal. Shout Wipes are the only ones I trust. As for wrinkle spray, I have used several brands-whatever is available in travel at the time of purchase-and they have all done the job. Find these at your local everything pharmacy (Walgreens, CVS, Target) or order them from Amazon. Amazon Links: Shout Wipes | Wrinkle Spray
Still planning? Read Not All Stars Are Guiding Lights on The Altima Scoop to find accommodations that deliver your idea of luxury—not just asome vague, one-size-fits-all standard.
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