What to Wear on a Plane: Our Editors Share Their Airport Uniforms

What to wear on a plane sounds simple until you’re staring at your closet before a 6 a.m. flight, wondering whether your favorite jeans are worth sitting in for six hours, which shoes will comfortably make it through security, and how many layers you’ll need once the cabin inevitably turns cold.

Us Condé Nast Traveler editors spend a lot of time on airplanes, and over the years, we’ve each figured out the travel uniform that works for us—cozy enough for a long flight, spruced up enough to be in public, and practical enough for movement in the many hours in between. Some of us have perfected the art of dressing up a pajama-inspired set, while others prefer to board in a destination-ready look that can be worn straight from the airport to dinner.

Below, I’ve gathered all of our editors’ go-to outfits to wear on the plane. From soft, breathable sets to smart, casual staples, each of our airport vibes are polished without sacrificing comfort. Whether you’re dressing for a red-eye, a quick domestic hop, or a long-haul journey, let these travel looks help you decode what to wear on your next flight.

Arati Menon, global digital director

Flying vibe: Oversized and chic

Big denim, oversized tailoring, borrowed-from-husband shirts—gimme all of it on any given day, but especially on travel days. My rule is simple: pick clothes that have room to stretch or settle into (I’m notorious for pretzeling my body into a tight economy seat). Comfort doesn’t have to be at odds with style, either. I like to play with form and volume, like these balloon pants paired with an oversized cotton or poplin shirt—sometimes, perhaps a more fitted ribbed tank. I also find that the bigger the silhouette, the less rumpled you look when you get off the plane. (Don’t ask me to explain that.)