What to Wear to the Airport: How a Fashion Editor Dresses for Travel

Sophisticated Sweats & a Contrasting Shoe

Every time I travel, my aesthetic remains the same: cozy but chic, effortless but intentional, and this street style image captures that essence perfectly. The sweatpants are loose and relaxed, but the off-the-shoulder top creates a bit of drama and exposes a little skin. She then dressed up the look with boots, creating the right amount of contrast. It feels effortless, cool, and breathable. Plus, in the event that you get to your destination and can’t check in to your hotel or Airbnb, you can get away with wearing this to grab a bite to eat or sightsee.

Remember, your outfit does not have to look exactly like your inspo. You can reimagine it with different colors and silhouettes. So, while the above tank and pants are knit, which is different than what the street style star is wearing, the vibe is the same.

Lots of Accessories

If you’re looking to jazz up your airport sweatsuit, pack on the accessories. Layer necklaces, stack bracelets, and add on a statement purse. I find that rocking your jewelry or other accessories like dad hats or beanies while traveling saves space in your luggage.

Incorporating striking pieces like the ones above will instantly make your outfit more interesting. We’re made to believe that practical and functional fashion pieces—especially ones made for travel—are ugly, and that’s simply not the case. Throw the Coach Tabby across your body and the Rebecca Minkoff, which can hold a laptop, a book, and a cosmetic case, on your shoulders.

Parachute Pants & a Trendy Sneaker

If you’re like me, checking in, getting through TSA, and finding your terminal can be a laborious adventure. By the time I arrive at my departure gate, I’m covered in sweat, so it’s important to me that I’m wearing something light and airy (if the weather permits.) Balloon pants are a great option because the fabric is thin, and the loose fit around the legs allows you to move quickly with ease. I’m also big on feet support, so I like to go with sneakers that will prevent my arch from hurting.

Another styling hack for airport fits is rocking pieces of the same color or same color family. The tonal feel makes a look feel complete and polished.

A Tracksuit or Sporty Set

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, athleisure has been a major trend. The incorporation of sportswear into fashion makes getting dressed feels easy, practical, and cool—which is exactly what you should be going for when it comes to airport style. Whether it’s a tracksuit, a workout jumpsuit, or a coordinating zip-up jacket and leggings, the outfit formula—styled with sneakers or Uggs—creates a cohesive and united feeling.

The great thing about investing in activewear is that you can get a lot of use out of these items. Throw on the above jacket for a workout class or the Nike one-piece with a pair of snow boots during a winter getaway in Aspen.

A Cropped Jacket

One of the best ways to dress up comfortable jeans, sweatpants, and leggings for the airport is with a cropped jacket. The different lengths create interest and an illusion of a smaller waist. You can make a statement while remaining comfortable.

Of course, these outwear selections can be worn outside the confines of an airport. These pieces are ideal for packing as they can work with a plethora of different options. Pair the cropped trench with wide-leg black pants and a pointed-toe black pump for a nice dinner during your vacation.

An Oversized Button-Down & Dad Sandals

If you’re not a sweats person, there are countless other ways to achieve comfortable airport style. Oversized dress shirts are my go-to when I want to look chic, but also want room to breathe and move. Button-down or button-up tops pair well leggings, jeans, and shorts. I continue to cozy-girl theme with dad sandals, which are usually padded with cushion, making running around the airport a breeze.

A Statement Coat

To me, a statement coat is like icing on a cake—it makes everything better. If you’re keeping it calm for the airport with a black workout set and sneakers, throw on a bold coat with a fun pattern to enhance the overall feel of the look. Plus, coats add a lot of weight to suitcases, so wearing it in the airport leaves space for other travel essentials.

The statement coat hack is not just reserved for the airport, of course. In the winter, rocking eye-catching outerwear is my cheat code to a stylish fit—especially when it’s too cold to think of something new and exciting. I love pairing a white T-shirt and jeans with a coat that features bright colors or memorable texture.

A Lounge Dress With a Blazer

If you’ve seen a lounge dress that looks like it can be worn inside and outside the house, you’re not alone. A lot of brands are introducing cozy attire and pajamas that can pass for day clothes—when paired with the right pieces. In the photo above, fashion designer Julia Zwingenberg styled a Skims jersey dress with a gray blazer from Acne Studios and Hermès black leather Chypre sandals. This is a great outfit idea for the airport because the Skims dress is soft and breathable, and the blazer adds a monochromatic finish—so you’ll look sleek and put together.

Breathable Jeans

When we think of jeans, we often think of words like restricting, fitted, and possibly uncomfortable—definitely not the vibe we want for the airport. But, the right pair can feel as lightweight as linen or as soft as sweats. Try to find denim with either a barrel, balloon or extreme boyfriend fit as those silhouettes are often more lightweight and breathable. I also gravitate towards drawstring jeans because the design allows me to control how tight I want my pants to feel and I don’t have to worry about buttons piercing into my skin.