Fashion is my passion, but sometimes the latest trends and best tailoring can be a little uncomfortable. It’s fine to suffer for style when you’re just heading out for a quick dinner date, but it’s not something you want to do when you’re on the move.

I’ve worked in the fashion industry for years as an editor and stylist. When my work requires travel, I have to find the most comfortable travel clothes to show off my personality while keeping my budget in check and luggage light. It’s not an easy task, but it can be achieved by investing in staples. From layers, stretchy denim, styled fleeces to light-weight blazers, here’s my selection of comfortable travel clothes that make sure you disembark a flight looking your best.

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

1. Durable denim

When it comes to comfortable travel clothes, a good pair of jeans should be the first thing you think of. Trends change constantly, but denim will always be a staple of any wardrobe. However, not all jeans are created equal. Cheap, thin denim not only wears down quickly but needs to be washed more. Do yourself a favor and invest in a high-quality pair of jeans for your travels. I am a big fan of Japanese and organic denim. These fabrics will offer you comfort, longevity, and easy cleaning when you’re on the road.

Women’s Everlane Japanese Stretch Jeans

comfortable travel clothes Women Everlane Japanese stretch jeans

Photo: Everlane

Buy

Price: $88

Men’s Everlane Organic Jeans

comfortable travel clothes Men Everlane organic jeans

Photo: Everlane

Buy

Price: $88

2. Black staple pieces

Coco Channel created the “little black dress” to give the world a clothing item that would go with anything. Black is still a must-have in any closet. It’s flattering on all figures, goes with all colors, and is easy to keep clean. For easy styling, always pack a few black items to mix and match with. For extra flair, seek out black pieces that have unique details like buttons, interesting hemlines, or a textured fabric. It’s the little things that make all the difference.

Women’s AlvaQ Button Dress

comfortable travel clothes Women AlvaQ button dress

Photo: AlvaQ/Amazon

Buy

Price: $26.89

Men’s Everlane Henley Shirt

comfortable travel clothes Men Everlane black henley shirt

Photo: Everlane

Buy

Price: $45

3. Jackets for layering

No matter what time of year you’re traveling, you should always bring a light jacket. Picking a color that is easy to match will be incredibly helpful when putting together multiple outfits. Black has always been a staple for this reason, but this year has seen a rise in the popularity of earth tones and browns. To get the most use out of this jacket, you’ll want to pick a fabric that is both warm and breathable. Cotton and flannel are safe and affordable choices that won’t wrinkle too much.

Women’s prAna Sunrise Wrap Jacket

Buy

Price: $119

Men’s prAna Trembley Jacket

Buy

Price: $129

4. Grommet belts

Once a staple of the punk movement, these belts have now entered the mainstream. Grommet belts are known for their double-pronged buckles and holes that go all the way around. The classic grommet belt has silver eyelets in each hole, but the modern equivalent is often more simple. By having so many holes, they offer many styling options. You can wear them around your waist, hips, or even use them as a bag handle in a pinch. If you like to spend a good portion of your trips eating delicious food, these belts will come in handy when you need to loosen them up a bit.

Women’s Bouble Grommet Belt

grommet belt

Photo: Amazon

Buy

Price: $12

Men’s Dickies Leather Belt

comfortable travel clothes Men Dickies Leather Belt

Photo: Dickies/Amazon

Buy

Price: $12.99

5. A styled fleece

When it comes to fashion, fleece gets a bad rep. We all know that it’s one of the coziest fabrics you can wear, but for many, it conjures up images of camping and slippers. Luckily, there are many styled options that offer both form and function. Wear it on the plane when the AC is pumped up to high, on a hike to be photo-ready, and with a good pair of jeans to walk around a chilly city.

Women’s North Face Fleece Jacket

comfortable travel clothes Women North Face fleece jacket

Photo: The North Face/REI

Buy

Price: $148

Men’s Mountain Hardwear Polartech High-Loft Fleece Jacket

man in mountain hardwear fleece

Photo: REI

Buy

Price: $129.73

6. Natural linen

In addition to warm layers, you need a few light and breathable pieces on your list of comfortable travel clothes. Nothing is better for heat than linen. Not only does it keep you cool, but it also helps you to look effortlessly stylish. It’s definitely a look most suited for the daytime, but with a few nice accessories you could transition it to a casual evening look as well. A tip for traveling with linen: If it wrinkles in your luggage, hang it up in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam will get it back to looking its best.

Women’s Ecodesign Linen Set

comfortable travel clothes Women Ecodesign linen set

Photo: Etsy

Buy

Price: $165

Men’s Faherty Linen Shirt

comfortable travel clothes Men Faherty linen shirt

Photo: Faherty

Buy

Price: $168

7. A smart blazer

Throw a nice blazer over a t-shirt and you instantly have a more stylish casual look. Throw one over a dress or button-up and you are ready to go to a five-star restaurant. Right now, the “dark academia” style is blowing up. It’s an aesthetic inspired by classic literature and gothic architecture. Wool blazers are a staple of the style and are going to be a huge trend when the fall comes. For travel, they have the added bonus of offering warmth and not wrinkling in your luggage.

Women’s Linen Blazer

women's linen blazer

Photo: Amazon

Buy

Price: $48

Men’s Goodthreads Blazer

mens blazer

Photo: Amazon

Buy

Price: $80

8. Sleek lounge pants

The first step of a vacation is transportation. Whether you’re taking a flight or a road trip, you’ll want something that’s incredibly comfy for your journey, but lounge-wear doesn’t have to be one-note. If you pick a sleeker option, you can pair them with a nice jacket and shoes for a daytime look. The key to finding pants that can achieve that is focusing on color and embellishments. You want to steer clear of patterns and logos and look for simple colors. Embellishments like pockets, racing stripes, and detailing around the hem can help to majorly elevate these pieces.

Patagonia Pack Out Thighs leggings

woman in patagonia leggings

Photo: Patagonia

Buy

Price: $129

Men’s Paka Breathe Joggers

paka joggers

Photo courtesy of Paka

Buy

Price: $90

9. Sock sneakers

If you are planning a trip that involves activity as well as relaxation, a sneaker is a must. The recent trend of sock sneakers adds a cool twist to the classic shoe. A sock sneaker is known for having a rubber sole and a tight, knit casing for the foot. Not only do they make a statement, but they are extremely comfortable and breathable. Their flexible nature makes them easy to pack and most pairs are machine washable so they can look fresh on every trip.

Women’s Allbirds Wool Runners

comfortable travel clothes Women Allbirds wool runners

Photo: Allbirds

Buy

Price: $98

Men’s Casbeam Knit Running Shoes

comfortable travel clothes Men Casbeam knit running shoes

Photo: Santiro/Amazon

Buy

Price: $29.99

10. Chunky cardigans

Cardigans have often been viewed as a staple piece, mainly coming in solid colors with simple silhouettes. But with the knitting craze that came with quarantine, we are seeing bold, oversized cardigans making a splash in fashion. With celebrities like Harry Styles and Taylor Swift popularizing the style, you can expect to see it everywhere this fall. When packing a chunky cardigan, consider what base pieces you could layer it with. Since the cardigan will be your accent piece, it would look great over a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt or even a little dress. Not only is it comfortable, but if you get lost in a crowd, you should be pretty easy to find.

Recycled Cashmere Cardigan

woman in patagonia cardigan

Photo: Patagonia

Buy (Women’s)

Buy (Men’s)

Price: $133.99 women’s, $149 men’s