When it comes to travelling long-haul, finding stylish and unbeatably comfortable outfits isn’t the easiest task.
While some frequent travellers find high-end leggings from the likes of Lululemon to be a butter-soft breeze, others prefer loose-fitting trousers more akin to pyjama bottoms than traditional streetwear. If you’ve found yourself reading this article, chances are that you care about curating the perfect airport aesthetic.
Whether it’s because you never know if you’re going to lock eyes with the future love of your life at the gate, you’re attending a professional trip with work, or simply because you value personal style no matter where you are, we’re here to answer all of your travel outfit prayers.
What to consider before putting together a long-haul travel outfit
- Departure weather versus destination weather: Leaving dreary England for sunnier skies is all well and good, but you’re likely to overheat in a full tracksuit set the moment you touch down in Miami. Be sure to strike the perfect balance between departure, destination and in-flight temperatures before jet setting. This means packing lightweight layers which can be stripped off or piled-on accordingly.
- Business or pleasure: Arriving at the airport for a business trip in pyjama bottoms and a baggy jumper is a big no-no. While you can certainly wear whatever you feel comfortable in for a personal holiday, opt for a smart-casual travel ensemble if you’re working. Think: black, loose-fitting trousers and a comfortable blouse.
- Night flight: There’s nothing better than feeling snug as a bug during a long-haul night flight. If you have space in your hand luggage for a quick-change, we highly recommend packing a pair of pyjamas. That way, you can look unbeatably chic from door to door while remaining cosy when necessary.
Diamond-level seasoned traveller or airport novice, keep scrolling for the best outfits for long-haul flights no matter the destination.
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Best Of The Best Pack
Not in the mood to search for all the most comfortable, packable, portable and stylish components for the perfect travel outfit? Free People bundles have finally arrived.
This coveted set includes seven items fit for all weather conditions. You’ll receive a packable puffer jacket, classic hoodie, an easy-breezy onesie, a square-neck sports bra with matching leggings, a ribbed baby tee, and FP’s classic Summit Backpack. Plus, it’s available in a myriad of colourways to suit your aesthetic and you can even remove items that you don’t feel are necessary. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Buy now £672.00, Free People
Sporty & Rich Wellness Club logo-print cotton-jersey sweatshirt
Embrace All-American preppy style on your next long-haul trip with the help of Sporty & Rich. We love the understated vintage-inspired aesthetic of this crew neck jersey sweatshirt. Pair with some cosy matching tracksuit bottoms.
Buy now £145.00, Selfridges
Vuori Studio Flare
Fabricated from the brand’s own naturally moisture wicking and trademarked BreatheInterlock stretch knit fabric, these high-rise and full-length flared leggings are silky soft. You can scoop them up in a selection of three wonderfully earthy tones, including Chestnut, Black and our featured favourite, Azure.
With an exaggerated, but still practical, flared bottom and ultra-high waist, you’ll be wearing these from the gym to the office or straight to the club.
Buy now £79.00, Vuori
Pose Fitted Tee
We’re head over heels for the extra-thick neckline on this fitted baby tee from Vuori. Brilliant for those living in sunnier climates, it’s made with a premium Modal fabric which has unbeatable four-way stretch, moisture-wicking power and UPF 30+ protection. Outdoor Yoga has never looked so good.
Buy now £65.00, Vuori
Arket Linen Drawstring Trousers
Slip into sumptuous, soft-touch linen with Arket’s pink-purple pull-on trousers. Vertical, blurred stripes in girlish hues add a subtle hint of gentle colour to any monochrome summer wardrobe.
Buy now £28.00, Arket
Pangaia 365 Midweight T-Shirt
Pangaia is trailblazing when it comes to the science-based development of sustainable materials.
Fabrics range from FLWRDWN, a down-fill material made from a combination of wildflowers, a biopolymer and aerogel used to fill puffer jackets, to C-FIBER. This jersey cotton alternative combines eucalyptus pulp and seaweed powder for a water-saving and energy-efficient textile.
Whether you’re in the market for a quality 100 per cent cotton t-shirt, activewear, boxy tailoring, or a tracksuit, there’s something for everyone. Bonus: every garment comes in just about every colour under the sun.
Buy now £55.00, Pangaia
Lululemon Define Jacket and Define Zip-Front High-Rise Flared Pant
Though not your traditional tracksuit, this athleisure set from Lululemon is as much as a paragon of high-end city lifestyle as spotting the odd rodent, takeaway flat whites and underground transport is. You’ll notice the iconic figure-hugging set across London, though you’re most likely to spot a Lululemon fanatic on the streets of Marylebone. Shop the Define Jacket and Defined Zip-Front High-Rise Pants separately.
Buy now £108.00, Flannels
Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt
The Skims Fits Everybody tee is a figure-hugging, body-sculpting staple this summer. Available in a myriad of shades from classic neutrals to warm weather-ready pastels, the t-shirt is renowned for its unbeatable stretch and breathability. Lightweight and wonderfully soft, it skims the waistline perfectly – if you’ll pardon the pun.
Buy now £48.00, Selfridges
Garment Dyed Linen Barrel Leg Trousers
Wide-barrel, gorgeously airy linen is the name of the game over at Toast. Pair these with a simple white t-shirt and let the garment take centre stage.
Buy now £140.00, Toast
Free People Hit The Slopes Colorblock Pullover
If you were utterly obsessed with the above Free People button-up, but prefer a pullover type of fleece, the brand has answered your prayers. This variation of the Hit The Slopes fleece has a quarter-length pop-button fastening and a handy zip-up breast pocket and still falls perfectly at the hips like its sister style for a slouchy silhouette.
Buy now £118.00, Free People
Weekday Julie Linen Mix Trench
This loose-fitting and double-breasted trench is made from a blend of ultra-soft viscose and linen for the utmost breathability. The springtime staple is unlined and therefore perfectly airy, and is also adorned with delightful tortoise-shell buttons for a subtle pop of colour.
Buy now £26.00, Weekday
Salomon XT-6 mesh and Rubber Trainers
Salomons are topping our footwear wish lists for many reasons. From the slick design to the athletic lattice panels, this is a performance-fashion hybrid that deserves your attention. The brand’s running-inspired XT-6 trainers are made from lightweight, sage-green mesh with resistant TPU film that sits atop an EVA sole. This means the foot is protected from possible injury and the mercurial British weather while you're out and about.
Buy now £165.00, JD Sports
MADE in UK 1500 Shoes
In a world where everyone is wearing the same trainers in different colours, why not opt for a more unique style? This re-release of the New Balance M1500, originally designed in 1989, combines bold visuals and hi-tech specs. We love the heavy '80s-era proportions and the stand-out red suede.
Buy now £200.00, New Balance
