Let’s be real: traveling during the holidays is an art form, and your outfit can make or break the entire experience. Whether you’re squeezing into compact airplane seats, enduring long car rides, or bumping into your high school ex at the baggage claim, what you wear matters more than you might think. There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable while traveling… except maybe running into everyone you know while looking disheveled. So, this year, our holiday travel outfits are where style meets strategy.
Even if you have to wear your coat because your suitcase is full of skincare, we’re going to make it look intentional. Read on for the dos and don’ts of picking holiday travel outfits, plus six inspo outfits that you can easily recreate with your own wardrobe.
Holiday Travel Outfits 101
- Comfort comes first. I don’t care how cute your high-waisted jeans look, a few hours into your travel day you’ll be constantly fidgeting making both you and your neighbor uncomfortable. Opt for loose-fitting, breathable pieces that won’t constrict you—the tiny seats are constricting enough.
- Lay on the layers. Think ahead and plan for not only your final destination’s climate, but the planes and/or cars that are inevitably always too hot or too cold. A white t-shirt under your sweater is your best friend, and the extra coat can double as a neck pillow.
- Coverage is key. Maybe this is the germaphobe in me, but I never like bare skin touching the seats. Even though I immediately shower upon reaching my destination, the less exposure, the better.
- Sacrifice style for space. Though I still always want to look presentable, sometimes I have to put the event outfits over the travel outfit and wear all of my bulkiest items at once. But trust me, snapping the perfect airport mirror selfie isn’t worth having to check an extra bag for your boots and trench coat.
6 Holiday Travel Outfits To Recreate This Season
Matching Sweat Set + Sneakers
This one might feel like a no-brainer, but a matching sweat set is the easiest way to be comfortable and look cohesive on a long travel day. I always end up booking super early or painfully late flights, and at 4 a.m., sweats are all I can handle since they feel like PJs but still look cute. Pair a matching set with chunky socks and your go-to pair of sneakers for a sporty, but cozy holiday travel fit.
Track Pants + Sweater
Track pants are not for athletes, though they do come in handy when you’re sprinting to make it to your gate in time. I love dressing up a wide leg pant with a sweater and loafers for a travel outfit that is equally as cozy as it is trendy. Don’t forget a white tee underneath the sweater in case the plane or car gets stuffy.
Loose-Fitting Denim + Crewneck
Sometimes, it’s best just to keep it simple. You can never go wrong with a comfy pair of jeans and a tee shirt for planes, trains, and automobiles. Draping a crewneck over your shoulders is one of the best airport hacks for this outfit because it adds texture to your look stylistically, and additional warmth once you reach your final destination. Top it all off with your favorite baseball cap so it doesn’t get crushed in your bag (and because we all travel on hair wash day, right?), and you’re ready to board.
Oversized Coat + Leggings
For those of you going somewhere snowy, sometimes the only option for a holiday travel outfit is the biggest coat you have. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your airport look. Take a page from Courtney Grow’s book and pair your chunky coat with leggings and some loafers for a contrasted effect that’s both practical and flattering. With a coat this big and chic, all you need underneath is a good white tee.
Button Down + Scarf
This holiday travel outfit is the definition of thinking smarter, not harder. A button down shirt is one of the hardest things to keep wrinkle-free in your suitcase, so might as well just wear it on the plane and save yourself the trouble. If you’re heading from warmer weather to cooler temps, a scarf is an easy styling piece that you’ll be more than happy to have once you finally arrive. Bonus points for the matching beanie!
Duster Cardigan + Cuffed Jeans
A duster cardigan is the perfect accessory to your holiday travel outfits because A) no way is that thing fitting in your suitcase, and B) why shove a blanket in your carry-on when you can wear one? Style your cozy cardigan with a worn-in pair of cuffed-jeans and you’ll be ready to step off the jet bridge and straight into a family function.
