Stylish Summer Outfits For The Airplane And Travel Tips
Here are some Summer outfits for the airplane that you can wear on your vacation that are comfortable and look a bit more stylish than athletic wear. I’m joining Cindy, Annie and Susan for their tips too!
Lately, I’ve been trying to pack lightly as I find dealing with a heavy suitcase not very fun (even though Howard helps a lot). So what I wear on the plane needs to resurface at the destination. In this case, it’s Hawaii so very warm.
But I like layers for airport outfits as no one wants to be cold on the airplane. So for Summer, I usually pack a light pashmina scarf like this one in my tote bag for an extra layer.
Linen Pants With Elastic Waist Band And Light Cardigan And Shell
Recently, our large group of friends attended a wedding in Maui. I wore this Eileen Fisher outfit across the country to Los Angeles. I love that the classic ankle pants feel like pajama bottoms (no zipper) but are a light linen that I can hand wash and hang to dry.
I’m wearing layers with an organic linen jersey tank top and a linen cotton long cardigan sweater (Petite Small). Which I wore with a sleeveless dress later on the trip). The straw bag with leather handles is from Madewell and the comfortable sandals are by Dolce Vita.
Even though we have TSA-Pre Check (which I recommend everyone apply for) and don’t normally have to take our shoes off, the gold buckles on the sandals set off the metal detectors at the airport. So, they are great for walking…just not through airport security.
Los Angeles To Oahu, Hawaii Airplane Outfit
On this long flight, I wore the Eileen Fisher black linen trousers again (pleasantly wrinkled fabric: in a Petite Small) with a cotton camisole from Amazon and an Eileen Fisher black cotton gauze shirt from last year that is still available. Although a bit pricey, I love how Eileen Fisher items really hold up. The top still looks new after several wears.
Notice how I switched to these comfortable Havaianas (similar) footwear? They do not set off the metal detectors. I usually pack some light weight flip flops for warm destinations as they hardly take any space.
Flying From Maui To Kauai Outfit – Summer Airport Outfit
I’m wearing a Quince European linen top (small, only $35 and in lots of colors) with J. Jill elastic waist linen pants in sand color (petite small).
These Fitflop sandals have great arch support and flexibility. This is my first pair and I could walk miles in them.
Reliable Airport Food And Drink
While we were waiting for our flight to Kauai, our friend Ariana (who travels extensively) mentioned that Starbucks is a reliable choice for food and drinks in the airport. They maintain a consistent level of quality.
Just something to keep in mind if you have ever had bad airport food.
Clip For Travel With Hats
Mercedes had a hat clip on her tote that seemed really convenient (although hers is hard to take on and off). We both like this one from Amazon as it’s easy to attach to your strap . I ordered this on our trip (and bought another for Mercedes).
Comfy Airport Outfit For A Long-haul Flight
My daughter, Alexandra and I were both admiring Mercedes’ comfortable green knit outfit. She first saw it on her daughter and bought it on Amazon in a medium. A chic look…it’s as comfortable as a sweatshirt and sweatpants but dressier! There are 14 colors and my daughter ordered it in blue.
Notice Mercedes’ white sneakers? I usually wear these too, and/or pack a pair.
Luggage Packing Tips To Fit More
So now for our next trip, I am headed back to San Diego and Los Angeles to help my sister with her new condo, for my high school reunion and some babysitting (nice to be needed :).
I am packing my lightweight Quince expandable carry-on the way my friend, Joy does, by rolling everything and placing them in packing cubes!
Let’s Visit My Friends For Their Travel Wardrobe Recommendations
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
Une Femme D’une Certain Age
Shop Airport Style:
I bought these dolce vita sandals on your reccommendation and I absolutely love them and they are so comfortable! Thank you Mary Ann! I also used to live in Winter Park, Fl. I now live in North Carolina.
Thanks for the tips, Mary Ann….. I leave for Los Angeles for my 50th high school reunion next month, so your timing is perfect for me as I haven’t traveled by plane since before Covid.
I just purchased the outfit Mercedes is wearing, only in blue. Thanks again…. just love your posts!
Have a great time…I did!
Travel chic at its best! MA, you always look easy, breezing and carefree cruising through airports. I’m a hot mess. Love Mercedes travel set. And what did we ever do without hat clips?! xo
Airport chic at its best. You always look easy, breezy and carefree cruising through the airport. I’m a hot mess. Love Mercedes travel set and what did we ever do before hat clips. A real travel essential. xo
Thanks, Juliet!!
Great suggestions! I enjoy wearing espadrilles when I travel. They are cool and forgiving for the feet. I don’t like wearing open shoes in such busy public (dirty!) places. Any packing suggestions for a cruise to the Baltic in August?
Good idea! I have espadrilles that I bought in Spain!
Love Mercedes outfit…question, how tall is she? I’m 5’3 and wondering if they pants will be too long?
She is 5’7″ so they may need to be hemmed.
Thank you!!
I’m 5’3″ and just received this outfit from Amazon. The pants are perfect on me, but I do wear a 29″ inseam.
This outfit recommendation came at just the right time for me. I nearly packed my usual Eileen Fisher black crepe pants and assorted pieces, but everything else in the bag this time is blues. So, I went with the smoke blue in the outfit, and I’m delighted (someday I’ll figure out which EF can pass for navy–is it midnight, nocturne? The little dots on the EF website are too small for me to judge.)
Thanks MaryAnn and Mercedes!
Great to hear!
Mary Ann, great tips! You always look great. I always bring a straw tote or similar as my carry-on for Hawaii too. I’m off to check out all your linen pants now! xo
Mary Ann, I am with you, you want to look stylish yet comfortable and you always do.
I too cary a pair of flip flops in my bag when traveling, just in case I get tired of my shoes.
Love Merceedes outfit and hat clip!
HAve a wonderful weekend.
Great post, thank you! Hoping you will do a reunion post. My 50th is next year, and I can’t be the only one who would love some tips!
Good idea….if I remember!!
Mary Ann, You always look adorable, so put together even when you travel.
I live in casual and lounger type of clothes. Mercedes green comfort outfit looked like the perfect lounger for flying. Mercedes has such a warm pretty smile. This would be something I would like to hear more about. Now in Arizona because of the heavy fabric it maybe too hot to wear, 113 degrees this weekend. At least it’s a dry heat.
WOW 50th high school reunion. That will be fun. Yes, it’s so good to be needed. You are also an amazing sister to help her with her new condo.
Lovely post thank you Mary Ann. I bought an olive relaxed lounge set at Costco the other day for $24.00, lovely rich olive color highly recommend for travel! I think honestly i like my Eileen Fisher and Frank and Eileen pieces too much to travel in them. Planes and airports are so filthy!
Nice tips:-)
I also always pack a pair of Havaianas and do a quick change, once I have arrived to Malaga (which is where my Home no 2 is situated).
how nice, Tina!
Mary Ann! Love your travel looks and that darling green 2-piece set on Mercedes! Love those dolce Vita sandals! And your hat clip! Smart! Yours are so chic, Mary Ann!
Thanks, Annie!!
Thank you for your post. I am getting ready for a trip and appreciate the information – I have a couple of my own notes to add for “travel day” at the airport-
(1) I have occasionally been asked at the TSA Pre security checkpoint to remove my shoes. Yes, even with Recheck approval. This is when I unexpectedly had a metal piece hidden in the sole (I think these were Danskos, a couple of times). For this reason, I never wear sandals because I cannot bear the thought of walking barefoot through TSA. If I must wear sandals, I wear socks and remove them after security.
(2) I have gone away from wide leg pants for airport day. They require extra fidgeting to keep them from pooling on the dirty bathroom floor in the airport or on the plane (folding the leg up over your thigh, etc). For this reason, a tapered or ankle pant is my choice. Maybe I am germaphobic, but, gee, I do not want my pants on those floors!
Oh I know, airplane bathroom floors can be so gross!!
I’m always noticing chic travel outfits, bags and hats… for sure I would have noticed you and your friends outfits! Very cute!, I just spent the last 3 days in Hawaii so article was apropos!
Thanks so much for commenting, Martha. I’m sure your trip was great!
Well I was working- and Bob got to tag along for free!, but it was a great trip with two extremely long Kona layovers, so perfect for Bob to join me!
Great tips, and you look both comfortable and polished for air travel! I’m going to take a look at that amazon set…
I’m going to try my daughter’s on when I see her in L.A.in a couple of days. Loved your post, Susan!
Great tips Mary Ann and Mercedes looks darling in that green number from Amazon! No one travels more than you so I always look to you for the best tips!
Well, we do like to travel, Cindy…especially with Howard retired.