Ultimate Long-Haul Flight Outfit: My Travel Uniform Essentials

Travel Stylishly and Comfortably with iBestTravel

With 77,000 miles and counting this year alone, I’ve had a whole lot of time to develop a trusty formula for comfortable airport outfits that still look good.

As a professional travel writer, I cover a lot of ground. This year, I’m hopping on several flights per month, ranging from long-hauls to Vietnam, Cape Town, and Hawaii, to slightly shorter jaunts to Paris, Rome, and Greenland – a whopping 77,000+ miles so far and counting. One thing that’s hugely important on any trip? Staying comfortable in transit.

With all that time in the air, I’ve perfected my travel uniform, aka the comfortable airport outfit I always wear for long travel days, no matter where I’m headed. My trusty formula almost never veers from the relaxed clothing staples below, from supportive shoes to the perfect tee and a sleek bomber jacket. Read on for my tried-and-true picks that always keep me looking and feeling my best on every journey.

The Cozy Airport Staples I Swear By:

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Put-together trousers
  • The perfect tee
  • A sleek bomber jacket
  • Trusty luggage
  • Compression socks

Comfortable Shoes

Supportive, comfortable shoes are the essential building blocks to my travel uniform. I rotate between a few different styles, but no matter the pair, they’re always trainers I can rush around the airport in and wear socks with in case I need to take my shoes off in a security line. A podiatrist recently recommended I try a pair of shoes due to their lightweight and cushioned nature. I particularly love water-resistant shoes because they’re perfect for any terrain or weather I encounter when I land.

Similar Styles I Love:

Hoka Clifton 9 trainers

New Balance 327 sneaker

Jak Royal trainers

Veja Campo leather sneakers

Lululemon Cityverse sneaker

Put-Together Trousers

A basic pair of black pants provides a neutral base for my comfortable airport outfits. My go-to travel pants are tailored and comfortable enough to wear for hours without showing stains or wrinkles after long travel days. I particularly enjoy tailored options that can transition seamlessly from travel to dining out upon arrival, and some sleek joggers have also found their way into my rotation for long-haul flights.

Similar Styles I Love:

Baleaf Lightweight Joggers

Banana Republic Stretchy Ponte Pant

Everlane Easy Pant

The Perfect Tee

Probably the most used item in my wardrobe is a plain white tee. I love the flattering fit; it goes with everything and can easily be dressed up or down. Another particularly good tee I’ve tried is one that’s wrinkle-free, stretchy, and provides UV protection.

Similar Styles I Love:

Madewell Supima Rib Tee

Aday Made It T-shirt

Sleek Bomber Jacket

I love wearing men’s jackets for travel – they’re just more comfortable and perfectly oversized. A well-fitted bomber jacket is a great choice to keep warm during cooler flights, and I love that they can easily be layered over my outfits without causing discomfort.

Similar Styles I Love:

Lululemon Bomber Jacket

Ralph Lauren Bomber Jacket

Trusty Luggage

I can’t remember a flight in the last five years on which I didn’t have my trusted carry-on. Whether I’m traveling for a weekend trip or an extended vacation, having reliable luggage that is easy to maneuver through the airport is invaluable. My go-to options hold everything I need, including my laptop, and are designed for optimal convenience during travel.

Similar Styles I Love:

Away Bigger Carry-On

July Carry On Light

Antler Cabin With Pocket

Compression Socks

After experiencing discomfort on a long flight, I discovered the importance of wearing compression socks. They significantly improve circulation and alleviate swelling and discomfort during travel.

Similar Styles I Love:

Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks

Sockwell Graduated Compression Socks


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