Holiday travel season is hard, but it doesn’t have to be! You just need to be prepared: a comfortable oversized sweater for your base, sharp-shouldered outerwear, and a bag big enough to carry the necessities. Shop our favorites now and learn how to really travel in style.
I rarely wear jeans on a flight anymore. Why would I, when there are so many sweatpants that can pass for trousers these days? The athletic brands have nailed polished travel pants. Just look at these Athleta wide leg pants, this Athleta high rise trouser, or Banana Republic’s Hepburn-esque crop flare.
Sweaters are one of the great loves of my sartorial life, and having a great one on a plane can make any trip feel first class. If you’re swathed in cashmere, anything can be luxurious. Bloomingdale’s in-house brand still makes fantastic cashmere at an affordable price point, and this cable-knit number gives Ralph Lauren’s iconic sweater a run for their money. J.Crew’s classic crewneck is up there too! Just throw on a leather jacket and voila! You’re fully dressed.
A black and white sneaker is a little more interesting than a monochromatic one, and can do heavy lifting if you’re only packing a carry-on’s worth of clothes. If you’re splurging, treat yourself to the Loewe sneaker. But! That sneaker undeniably took inspiration from more old-school, affordable options like this suede and leather Puma shoe. Nike’s low-top Dunks have a sportier silhouette, too.
Invest in a great duffle that will only look better with time, like this pretty black weekender from Coach or a timeless expandable Longchamp bag in a cheery color.
Don’t forget packing cubes! It can seem like just one more thing to do, but they really make a difference. I love Paravel’s monogrammed ones (which also make a great gift!), but these blue-and-white floral Tuckernuck ones are undeniably pretty.
Shop the rest of our travel in style edit below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how, and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.