Crafting the perfect airport outfit is an art. You want to look put together yet comfortable, stylish yet sensible, with clothes that are versatile enough to wear again on your trip. After more than a decade as a travel writer, I’ve finally cracked the code. I’ve locked in my official travel uniform—that effortless look I return to again and again that I can always count on to keep me comfy during long-haul flights, unexpected delays, or tight connections.
The winning formula goes something like this: functional black pants, a white tee, a lightweight sweater, a bomber jacket, and a pair of white sneakers. My comfortable combo has never failed me on long hauls—and I’ve had a lot of them to test the theory. Usually, I’m in and out of airports at least once a month, recently traveling more than 77,000 miles on the job, including a 13-hour flight to Vietnam and an 11-hour stretch to Hawaii without ever veering into sweatpants territory. If you want to dress for long travel days like the pros, read on for the foolproof airport outfit that keeps me comfortable from takeoff to touchdown and beyond.
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The comfortable sneaker
Supportive, comfortable shoes are an essential building block to my travel uniform. While I rotate between a few different styles, it’s always a pair of sneakers I can rush around the airport in and wear socks with in case I need to take my shoes off in the security line. A podiatrist recommended I try a pair of shoes from Allbirds because of how lightweight and cushioned they are. In addition to my water-resistant Wool Dasher Mizzles from Allbirds, which I wear to rainy destinations like Ireland, I love the brand’s Canvas Piper sneakers for their classic look goes with everything, from athleisure to sundresses, without looking too touristy.
I also love my stylish Adidas Sambas if I want a versatile white sneaker, my lightweight Hokas if I need a cushioned walking shoe, and my Kiziks, since they offer all the support of a sneaker but don’t need to be laced up—ideal for slipping on and off in the airport security line.
