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 directorFlying vibe: Oversized and chicBig 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.)DisshMathilde blue stripe side tie shirtDisshRhea 2.0 cream oversized cotton shirtIntimissimiRibbed tank top in superior cottonThe Frankie ShopAubray balloon pantsJessica Chapel, commerce writerFlying vibe: Cabin cozy indieWhile I do praise myself on nailing the art of the comfy travel pant, there's really no topping this wide-legged pair from Silver Jeans Co. They feel like yoga pants, but they look like good, strong denim. Whether I'm running to my gate or cozying up next to the window, I feel put together while still being comfortable. (Can you ask for much more than that?)More often than, these Puma sneaker-flats are my go-to travel shoes for support and style. When I want a little extra warmth, I pair them with a no-show, thin-layered sock. As for my top, I usually go for a band tee. The ‘fit makes for an ideal formula to top off with a gold layered necklace, which I’m afraid would otherwise become to tangled in my overcrowded jewelry case.Silver Jeans Co.Suki mid-rise wide-leg jeanPumaSpeedcat cheetah ballet flatsJunk Food ClothingBlondie 1977 vintage tissue tee8 Other ReasonsLayered chain necklaceMeaghan Kenny, commerce editorFlying vibe: Peak cozinessI want to be as comfortable as possible when I board a long-haul flight. My goal is to feel warm and cozy without looking like I’m wearing pajamas. An oversized matching set, like this one from Alo, is my go-to for elevated in-flight comfort. And in case the AC turns off or I’m arriving to a warm destination, I like to have a soft, fitted tank underneath my hoodie or zip-up.My airport outfit isn’t complete without my Hokas; I wear them every time I travel. They’re plenty supportive and cushy, and double as the pair I wear if I work out on the trip. As for the bag that carries it all? MZ Wallace’s Metro Tote, which features a pocket for the essentials (passport, wallet, sunglasses, phone), and enough space for my laptop, Kindle, water bottle, and snacks. Plus, it features a luggage sleeve, so I can slip it right on top of my carry-on when I’m moving through the airport.Old NavyHug double-layer tank topAloMake Waves loungewear setMZ Wallace The Metro Tote DeluxeSkyli Alvarez, editorial assistantFlying vibe: Not as impractical as it looksLooking a bit put together is as much a priority as comfort while I’m traveling. This lightweight long-sleeve has quickly become my go-to over a cami. I like that it has a hood attached that I can tuck my hair into on the plane. Supportive and thoughtfully designed socks such as these Doublesoul’s supportive socks are also a must when TSA inevitably makes me take my shoes off. It's true, others breeze past me in sneakers—but I adore my metal-accented boots too much not to wear them. (It helps saving space in my suitcase too.)That said, I tend to wear my heaviest items when traveling with a carry-on, and my tried-and-true Chaminades from Fluevog are infinitely comfier than they appear. And yes, I will always use hand sanitizer as soon as I get buckled in.Los Angeles ApparelBaby Rib long sleeve hoodieDoublesoulKennedy Walsh high sockFluevogChaminade vintage-style bootsTouchlandPower Mist hand sanitizerShannon McMahon, senior destinations editorFlying vibe: Basically pajamas—plus, a nice-looking coatComfort comes first in my book these days, especially on long-haul journeys like the one I’m taking to the Mediterranean soon with my 10-month-old twins (pray for me). You can bet the plane will be freezing on those high-altitude routes, and lately I’ve been living in the simple-cool Skims sweatsuit my husband got me for Mother’s Day (yes, it’s the softest thing I own). I love to layer it with a simple T-shirt and this oversized work jacket.Most importantly, the sweatpants are sleek enough to actually look cool with whatever your most comfortable sneakers are, and the corduroy-collar chore jacket looks just-put-together-enough while having huge utilitarian pockets for holding anything you could possibly need mid-flight—which in my case is pacifiers, wipes, and fidget-spinny toys. Top it off with a baseball cap for lowering when the cabin lights dim, and you’ve got the perfect outfit for actually catching some shut-eye in-flight once the babies doze off.EverlaneLuxe rib boatneck topGapRelaxed denim chore jacketJamie Spain, travel bookings editorFlying vibe: Ready to hit the ground runningIf you see me in the airport, no you didn’t. Airport (and by extension, airplane) time is my time to check out and disconnect before and after my trips, which helps me transition between my day-to-day life and vacation life. I like to wear clothes that bridge the gap between too casual (I’ve officially hung up my sweatpants and leggings for flights) and too structured and form-fitting. For one—these mid-rise pants from Lululemon look intentional while keeping me comfy.If I'm feeling fancy, my secret weapon is a silk scarf, like this one from Kate Spade. What do I use it for? Just about everything. Tie it around my hair to hide after-flight tangles, around my shoulders if I’m feeling a bit of a chill, or around my waist to elevate my airport outfit. Less fun but just as necessary is a good pair of compression socks, especially from Bombas. And I’d never get on a flight without my noise-canceling headphones that help me disconnect from my surroundings.BombasEveryday compression socksLululemonDance studio mid-rise pant regularKate SpadeNew York dream scarfHannah Chubb, senior commerce editorFlying vibe: As close to pajamas as I can getI take any flight as an excuse to nap—whether I’m on a sub-one-hour jaunt home to Toronto or jetting off on a long haul across the pond. My formula is always the same: comfy black Auden pajama pants that look like they could be sweatpants, a Lululemon tank top with a built-in bra, and a massive crewneck sweater as a top layer in case the plane gets chilly. (I’m partial to Alo's Accolade pullover for an all-black look.) This silk scrunchie keeps my hair out of my face but kink-free—and I also never travel without my Mono's leather backpack, which I swear can fit as much as any duffel and looks chic as heck with any outfit.LululemonGlow Up tank topTargetCloud knit modal pajama pantsClementine SleepwearXL organic silk scrunchieMadison Flager, commerce directorFlying vibe: Intentionally relaxed, comfortably structuredWith rare exceptions (say, an hour hop from LA to San Fransisco), I’m always going to prioritize comfort on a flight. However, I do like to look somewhat presentable, so I tend to go by the inverse top and bottom rule: If your pants are baggy, pair them with a more form-fitting top; if your pants are tight, then go with a looser top. It’s rare that I opt for the latter these days (gone are the days of leggings as pants), but sometimes I’ll wear more slim-fitting joggers with a loose T-shirt.Most often, though, I’m either in flowy linen pants (for shorter flights) or these wide-leg sweats from Athleta (for longer rides or red-eyes) with an ultra-soft tee from Vuori, Old Navy, or Outdoor Voices. And because I like to have all the things on my person while in flight, I usually use my MZ Wallace Nik duffel as a personal item to hold medicine, snacks, my laptop and/or iPad, chargers, a Kindle or book, and on and on.AthletaSeasoft mid rise straight pantAmerican EagleLinen-Blend pull-on pantClare Dolan, visuals and editorial internFlying vibe: A ready-for-anything lookWhile I love dressing down and feeling comfortable, I always feel like I need to be somewhat put together for when I get off my flight. For this, Levi’s low loose jeans have become my go-to—I have three pairs in different shades, and each are cozy, all while maintaining a satisfying structure. My JBL headphones are absolutely a necessity when I am flying. A big plus is that my ears never hurt, even after listening to music for hours—which is a rare find with over-the-head headphones otherwise.Stance socks are incredible, and come in so many different styles—so I can be as bland or as vibrant as I want. You can relax in these, but you can also use them for outdoor activities like hiking, running, and walking. Finally, my Comfrt hoodie usually tops it all off: I favor the gray one for a more neutral-toned vibe—which I find to be especially chic in a combo with jeans.ComfrtSignature hoodie - megaLevi’sLow Loose women's jeansThis article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.