Travel Outfits
Whenever I go away with my husband, I am always slightly disturbed by the lack of thought he puts into his travel outfit.
He just throws on whatever, and I’m there thinking:
Won’t those shorts get uncomfortable on the plane? Won’t your feet hurt walking around in flip flops? Won’t you freeze when the air con kicks in (why is it so cold on some planes!)
Because in my opinion the outfit you are travelling in has to work harder than almost anything else you pack.
It needs to be comfortable enough to sit in for hours, it needs to cope with different temperatures at either end and it needs to be practical for walking through airports, carrying bags, waiting around, sitting on trains, getting in taxis, and all the other unglamorous bits of travel.
My criteria for a good travel outfit is pretty simple:
1. Does it work for both sides of the journey?
This is where layers are your friend. Even if you’re travelling somewhere hot, airports, planes, trains and cars can be cold. A denim shirt, lightweight jacket, cardigan, sweatshirt or oversized shirt can make all the difference.
Think about what you’re leaving behind, what you’re arriving into, and what you’ll be sitting in along the way.
2. Can you wear the pieces again while you’re away?
I don’t think you need to pack a whole outfit just for travelling.
Ideally, every piece should earn its place in your case. The trousers should work for another day, the layer should go over dresses or skirts and the shoes should be shoes you’ll actually wear on the holiday.
This is the difference between an outfit that takes up space and an outfit that supports the rest of your wardrobe.
3. Would you still feel comfortable if you were delayed?
This is the big one.
Because travel rarely goes exactly to plan.
Flights are delayed. Trains are busy. Transfers take longer than expected. Luggage goes missing. Children spill things. Air con gets freezing. Queues appear from nowhere.
So it’s worth asking:
Would this waistband still feel comfortable after five hours?
Can I actually walk in these shoes?
Would I be too hot, too cold, or constantly fiddling with this?
Could I sit, bend, carry bags and move around easily?
A good travel outfit doesn’t need to be fancy.
It just needs to let you get through the journey without becoming another problem to solve.
So for me, the best travel outfits usually include:
Comfortable bottoms that don’t dig in.
A top that feels good to sit in.
A layer for air con or cooler weather.
Shoes you can actually walk in.
A bag that keeps the useful things close.
And one small detail that makes it feel intentional — colour, jewellery, print, a scarf, a good pair of sunglasses, or a bag you love.
You don’t need a special airport outfit.
You don’t need to look glamorous while dragging a suitcase through security.
And you definitely don’t need to travel in heels unless you genuinely want to.
But your travel outfit can still feel considered.
It can still feel joyful.
It can still be made from pieces you love and will wear again when you arrive.
So before your next trip, try the Travel Outfit Test:
Does it work for both sides of the journey?
Can I wear the pieces again while I’m away?
Would I still feel comfortable if I was delayed?
If the answer is yes, you’ve probably found a good one.
Related JoyDrops:
If you want more Summer JoyDrops then take a look at these: