Ridiculously Comfortable Travel Clothes That Don’t Sacrifice Style

Celebrity travel style spreads mock us all. We mere mortals squeeze ourselves into economy seats, we don’t travel with stylists, and comfortable travel clothes, especially athleisure, dominate the friendly skies because dressing up sounds like torture. Yet who among us hasn’t dreamt of sashaying out of the airport looking vacay-ready a la Blake Lively or Brad Pitt?

Ridiculously Comfortable Travel Clothes

Make that dream come true when you put on these shockingly comfortable travel clothes. They’re guaranteed to slay both en route to your destination and once you get there.

prAna Cozy Up T-Shirt

Peeking out from under a blazer or worn on its own with sleek jeans, this unfussy layering tee is anything but basic. The Cozy Up T-Shirt from prAna is crafted for comfort, with lightweight, eco-friendly fabric (including 35 percent recycled polyester) and antimicrobial technology that keeps you feeling fresh on long journeys. It also comes in plus sizes.

Mizzen+Main’s Leeward Shirt

Mizzen + Main is known for no-iron shirts that feel as good as they look. So when your itinerary calls for stylish travel clothes, the Wilkes pinstripe shirt brings boardroom-caliber tailoring to a surprisingly maneuverable button-down that won’t wrinkle in your airplane seat. Pop a jacket over it for work, then untuck it for play.

J.Crew’s Sweaters and Hoodies

J.Crew’s downy-soft Italian cashmere feels pajama-worthy while looking luxe, and the brand’s cotton tops hold up well for traveling, too. In particular, J. Crew’s men’s sweaters and women’s V-neck boyfriend sweater are cozy, well-made, and warm (but not too warm)—perfect on planes and in locales where unpredictable weather is the norm.

J Brand Skinny Jeans

You can’t live without your skinnies, but sitting in stiff denim for long periods can actually be bad for your health. Deep-vein thrombosis is no joke, so slip on  J Brand’s Leenah high-rise skinny jeans when you know you’ll be on the road or in the air. They’re made from stretch denim that keeps its shape and sculpts your rear but leaves your circulation intact.

Kuhl’s Konfidant Air Pants

Kuhl’s Konfidant Air pants look dressier than they feel, have nine generous pockets, and leave plenty of room in (ahem) critical areas—which is especially nice when you’re feeling the cramp in coach. Plus, they’re made from rapid-drying Enduro fabric with SPF 50 protection, meaning that these comfortable travel pants are as much at home on mountaintops as they are in museums.

Betabrand Dress Pant Yoga Pants

The Dress Pant Yoga Pants from Betabrand are sneaky-stylish: They’re as cozy as your favorite leggings, but tailored for a more upscale look. Wrinkles are a non-issue, thanks to slimming stretch fabric, and—bonus—they still look freshly washed after a few days of wear. You can buy them in a variety of styles, from boot-cut to wide-leg.

Uniqlo’s Ultra Stretch Skinny Fit Jeans

If Uniqlo’s Ultra Stretch Skinny Fit jeans were any more comfortable, the iconic Japanese company would have to market them as jammies. They are crafted with care and swaddle you from the waist down—only getting softer with each wash.

Arche’s Truffe Baryky Booties

Step out at your destination in Arche’s lightweight Truffe Baryky booties. The structured deer-skin leather looks super luxurious but is supple enough that it feels like your favorite socks. A back zipper makes these travel shoes easy to slip off at security checkpoints, and the anatomic sole and breathable materials keep your tootsies cool and comfortable all day long.

Clarks Desert Trek Chukka

A celebrity favorite, Clarks’s classic desert boots have remained virtually unchanged for 60 years. Why mess with perfection? These soft leather lace-ups can be worn with outfits from casual to classy. More importantly, they’re cushy enough for some serious walking.

City In Left’s Dovetail Trench Coat

Outerwear can hide a multitude of sins, and you can never go wrong with a classic trench coat. City In Left’s Dovetail Trench Coat is crafted from silky, wrinkle-free fabric that makes this sophisticated jacket feel more like a blanket. If your goal is to look perfectly put together but still feel like you’re traveling in yoga pants and a tee, this slim-fitting coat is a game-changer.

L.L.Bean’s Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Hooded Jacket

L.L.Bean’s wind- and water-resistant packaway hooded jacket is as lightweight as it gets, which means that you stay cozy even when you’ve packed light. The stylish, low-profile channel quilting traps heat without any bulk, and the elastic cuffs keep breezes at bay.

Bottom line: You can stay on trend in comfy travel clothes. Emerge from the airport in any of the above pieces, and your travel style will always be paparazzi-worthy.

Women, make sure what’s under your clothing is comfortable, too. See The 10 Most Comfortable Bras to Pack for Every Trip and Is ThirdLove the Best Bra and Underwear for a Comfortable Flight?

More from SmarterTravel:

• 18 Things You Should Always Wear on a Plane
• Ultra-Packable Travel Dresses for Summer
• The Best Travel Pants for Men and Women

Christa Terry is a writer and startup founder living the freelance life with two kids in tow. Find her on ButterTea.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.