The Best (and Worst) Things to Wear When Traveling

Pulled-together and comfortable outfits for every adventure

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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En español

Published July 13, 2023

a female passenger in sunglasses standing on the steps outside of the door of a plane

dima_sidelnikov/Getty Images

Have you ever been so uncomfortable on a plane that you couldn’t wait to land? Ever regretted wearing tight jeans and ankle boots for a long car ride? Gotten a snobby once-over from a hotel concierge or maître d’ eyeing your outfit? Like most women over 50, I love comfort and wearing what I like. But as a lifelong traveler and globe-trotting fashion editor, I know that a few practical style tips and etiquette can make any travel situation better. Here are the best (and worst) travel outfits that solve all:

Everlane The Dream Pant in Black; L.L. Bean Women’s Basketweave Sweater, Boatneck in Classic Navy; Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks in Navy; Croft & Barrow Women’s Boatneck Top in Navy; LifeStride Next Level Slip-On Sneaker in Black

(Clockwise from left) Everlane The Dream Pant in Black; L.L. Bean Women’s Basketweave Sweater, Boatneck in Classic Navy; Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks in Navy; Croft & Barrow Women’s Boatneck Top in Navy; LifeStride Next Level Slip-On Sneaker in Black

Everlane; L.L. Bean; Amazon; Kohl’s; Nordstrom

1. For the airport and plane: pull-on pants, boatneck tee and sweater, slip-on sneakers and socks

Expedited security clearance, online check-in and preflight seat selection help, but chilly temperatures at the gate and cramped onboard seats and flight delays are still an air travel fact of life. A pulled-together look in neutral colors goes miles in style points no matter how casual the clothes. Start with stretch cotton pants like Everlane’s Dream Pant in Black or Slate ($88, everlane.com) and add a flattering neck-lengthening boatneck tee like the Croft & Barrow Women’s Boatneck Top in Black or Navy ($18, kohls.com) and a boatneck sweater like the L.L. Bean Women’s Basketweave Sweater, Boatneck in Classic Navy ($60, llbean.com) — layering double boatneck tops is a trick that won’t ruin the benefits. Those with circulation concerns can add light compression socks while onboard like the Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks in Navy ($28, amazon.com) — slip them off before you leave the plane — but all benefit from chic slip-on sneakers like the LifeStride Next Level Slip-On Sneaker in Black ($50, nordstrom.com). Skip anything stiff, structured, too bare or complicated like skinny jeans, tank tops, booties, mules, slides and sandals, or rigid underwire bras. Also, avoid strong scents that might trigger an allergic reaction in your seatmate!

Hush Puppies Cora Loafer in Taupe; H&M Women’s Oversized Hooded Jacket in Beige; PrettyGarden Women’s Two Piece Outfit Long Sleeve Crewneck Pullover and Track Pants in Dark Khaki; RBX Active Women’s Relaxed Fit Lightweight Quick-Drying Stretch Pants with Pockets in Ribbed Side Sage

(Clockwise from bottom left) Hush Puppies Cora Loafer in Taupe; H&M Women’s Oversized Hooded Jacket in Beige; PrettyGarden Women’s Two Piece Outfit Long Sleeve Crewneck Pullover and Track Pants in Dark Khaki; RBX Active Women’s Relaxed Fit Lightweight Quick-Drying Stretch Pants with Pockets in Ribbed Side Sage

DSW; H&M; Amazon (2)

2. For a road trip: athleisure — knits, hoodies and driving mocs

Whether you’re headed cross-country to see the Grand Canyon, taking a scenic drive along the coast or en route to a country B&B, car travel can be challenging. Any combination of athleisure joggers, track pants and hoodies will make the journey easier. Try a prepackaged knit duo like the PrettyGarden Women’s Two Piece Outfit Long Sleeve Crewneck Pullover and Track Pants in Dark Khaki, Grey or A-Black ($40, amazon.com) or pair fitness pants with an elastic waist like the RBX Active Women’s Relaxed Fit Lightweight Quick-Drying Stretch Pants with Pockets in Ribbed Side Sage or Ribbed Side Charcoal ($50, amazon.com) with any basic tee and a sweatshirt like the H&M Women’s Oversized Hooded Jacket in Light Gray Melange or Beige ($30, www2.hm.com/en_us). Again, stick with neutrals for a stylish effect, and try rubber soled driving mocs like the Hush Puppies Cora Loafer in Taupe or Black ($80, dsw.com/en/us) rather than sneakers to keep tootsies soothed and sweat-free. Skip skirts and dresses, anything tight or constricting. Though feel free to add those compression socks (from No. 1, above) if your legs tend to swell with long hours of no walking.

Banana Republic Finley Poplin Jumpsuit in Black; Lane Bryant Perfect Sleeve Collared Belt Shirtdress in Ginger Root; Travelon Anti-Theft Classic N/S Crossbody in Black

(Left to right) Banana Republic Finley Poplin Jumpsuit in Black; Lane Bryant Perfect Sleeve Collared Belt Shirtdress in Ginger Root; Travelon Anti-Theft Classic N/S Crossbody in Black

Banana Republic; Lane Bryant; Travelon

3. For big cities: a jumpsuit, a shirtdress and a secure bag

Going to Berlin, New York or New Orleans? A week of art, shopping, theater, music and restaurant hopping? You’ll want to blend in with the locals and not stand out as a tourist. Not only will you get better service, you also won’t be an easy “tourist target” for pickpockets on streets or public transit. Choose one-and-done softly tailored pieces that work day or night like the Banana Republic Finley Poplin Jumpsuit in Black ($96, bananarepublic.gap.com) or a midi shirtdress like the Lane Bryant Perfect Sleeve Collared Belt Shirtdress in Ginger Root ($84, lanebryant.com) and add a secure cross-body bag like Travelon Anti-Theft Classic N/S Crossbody in Black ($85, travelonbags.com) with slash-proof strap and sides instead of an open top bag or one with a magnetic closure. Save workout clothes for the gym and skip team logos, jeans with rips and tears, visors, clunky white “dad” sneakers and your good jewelry. A Rolex, a diamond eternity ring and your mom’s pearls may be everyday basics at home, but costume jewelry is always a better bet when traveling.

Gap Eyelet Mixed Fabric Midi Dress in Bedrock Beige; LC Lauren Conrad Women’s Lace-Trimmed Ruana in Blue; Old Navy Textured Long-Line Open-Front Sweater for Women in Black Jack; J.Jill High-Rise Full-Leg Denim Crops in Portofino Wash

(Left to right) Gap Eyelet Mixed Fabric Midi Dress in Bedrock Beige; LC Lauren Conrad Women’s Lace-Trimmed Ruana in Blue; Old Navy Textured Long-Line Open-Front Sweater for Women in Black Jack; J.Jill High-Rise Full-Leg Denim Crops in Portofino Wash

Gap; Kohl's; Old Navy; J.Jill

4. Sightseeing: midi dress, jeans and arm-covering tops

From Marie Antoinette’s private rooms at Versailles to ancient Greek ruins and the Pyramids at Giza in Cairo, the past beckons. Some foreign destinations have a more relaxed dress code; others are more conservative. In fact, churches and religious sites almost anywhere may deny entry to a sleeveless midi dress or leg-covering pants that are paired with a bare sleeve top. A midi dress and cardigan like the Gap Eyelet Mixed Fabric Midi Dress in Black or Bedrock Beige ($27, gap.com) and Old Navy Textured Long-Line Open-Front Sweater for Women in Black Jack ($45, oldnavy.gap.com) or wide-leg jeans like the J.Jill High-Rise Full-Leg Denim Crops in Portofino Wash ($89, jjill.com) with a light shawl or ruana like the LC Lauren Conrad Women’s Lace-Trimmed Ruana in Blue ($21.60, kohls.com) are two easy solutions for summer. Skip above-the-knees skirts, shorts, sleeveless tops and deep V or scoop necklines that might be considered inappropriate or provocative, and leave new shoes and sandals at home (because who needs blisters?).

Spanx High Waist Straight Leg Ponte Pants in Classic Black; Foxcroft Mary Essential Stretch Non-Iron Shirt in White; Quince 100% Organic Cotton Knit Blazer in Camel

(Left to right) Spanx High Waist Straight Leg Ponte Pants in Classic Black; Foxcroft Mary Essential Stretch Non-Iron Shirt in White; Quince 100% Organic Cotton Knit Blazer in Camel

Nordstrom; Foxcroft; Quince

5. For a business trip: knit blazer, ponte pants and wrinkle-free shirt

Sometimes you need to spring from the airport or train station straight to a meeting without a minute to change clothes or even freshen up. Woven “no-iron” shirts and tunics that are specially treated to resist creasing or wear and knit jackets and pants that bounce back to perfection after hours of sitting are the best fix for this situation. For a foolproof trio, start with pants that never disappoint or show stains like the Spanx High Waist Straight Leg Ponte Pants in Classic Black ($99, nordstrom.com) and then add a crisp button-down like the Foxcroft Mary Essential Stretch Non-Iron Shirt in White ($69.50, foxcroftcollection.com) before topping off the look with a knit blazer like the Quince 100% Organic Cotton Knit Blazer in Camel, Navy, Black or Charcoal ($70, quince.com). Note that all have up-to-date details that matter. The pants are pull-ons with a non-bulky flat waistband, the shirt is an untuck style with three-quarter sleeves in fatigue-erasing white, and the blazer is long and relaxed in shape (so you can layer a light sweater beneath for extra warmth when needed).

Uniqlo UV Protection Pocketable Parka in 54 Green; Coldwater Creek Pack-It Jacket (style #22233) in Olive; J. Crew Limited Edition New Cropped Quilted Barn Jacket in Deep Moss; Toms Devon Women’s Slip-On Shoes in Black

(Clockwise from left) Uniqlo UV Protection Pocketable Parka in 54 Green; Coldwater Creek Pack-It Jacket (style #22233) in Olive; J. Crew Limited Edition New Cropped Quilted Barn Jacket in Deep Moss; Toms Devon Women’s Slip-On Shoes in Black

Uniqlo; Coldwater Creek; J. Crew; Kohl's

6. For unpredictable weather anywhere: a water-resistant or quilted jacket, slip-resistant rubber soled shoes

Cruising to Alaska to see the glaciers, sailing down the Danube or taking a girl’s trip with the besties to Santa Fe or Barcelona? Sounds great, but scorching hot or unexpectedly chilly temperatures and rain can wreck the best laid travel plans … unless you take a few preventative measures. Dressing in layers offers temperature control, but a weather-proofing jacket and grippy footwear make any trip stress free. Lightweight water-repellent jackets like the Uniqlo UV Protection Pocketable Parka in 54 Green or 09 Black ($50, uniqlo.com/us) or the Coldwater Creek Pack-It Jacket (style #22233) in Olive or Mushroom ($90, coldwatercreek.com) look cool and chic over any outfit from tees and jeans to dresses, fold up into a small built-in pouch or compartment and have hoods (so no need to drag an umbrella or tote bag along). For extra warmth (like that Alaskan cruise or a trip to Finland) grab a quilted jacket like the J. Crew Limited Edition New Cropped Quilted Barn Jacket in Deep Moss ($198, jcrew.com) which pairs with sweatshirts and cashmere sweaters with equal ease. And if your idea of the ideal vacay means open sandals don’t forget pair of closed-toe rubber-soled slip-ons like the Toms Devon Women’s Slip-On Shoes in Black ($50, kohls.com). I learned this the hard way after a fall in slides on slippery marble steps in the Louvre.

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Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.