What Stylists Pack: Eight Fail-Safe Airport Outfits To Travel In

Packing for a trip is one hurdle; figuring out what to wear on the way there is another. Will the plane be too cold? Probably. Too hot? Probably. Airport dress codes are murky at best; it’s not uncommon to see a business suit seated next to a pyjama set.

When in a style rut, we turn to our list of local stylists for advice. According to Milly Wright, aeroplane outfits should be “soft, loose and easy”. Stuart Walford says dressing tonally will immediately refine your outfit, and Joely Malcolm recommends bringing a cap if you’re prone to overstimulation.

Before you check in for your next flight, check out the outfit formulas these eight stylists swear by.

Stuart Walford, Melbourne stylist and creative producer

Having just taken a long-haul flight to Paris and back, I know the dreaded feeling of figuring out not just what to pack for three weeks for a European summer, but more stressfully, what to wear mid-air. I laugh (and cringe) at the foolish outfits I used to wear many years ago, thinking the airport was a fashion show and I was the model. Truthfully, I now prioritise only two things. The first is comfort. The second is strategy, because wearing your heaviest shoes and bulkiest outerwear on the flight saves room in your luggage for more options.

My current aviation attire consists of these Uniqlo C Sweat wide shorts paired with the coordinated C Oversized sweatshirt. I wear them with a white T-shirt, a baseball cap and my grey New Balance sneakers. I offset the lounge look with my oversized grey Acne Studios blazer (sadly sold out), but you could re-create the look with any loose, relaxed blazer, like this Camilla and Marc Mackinley Double Breasted blazer. A foolproof way of always looking chic is to dress tonally, and clashing your loungewear with your formalwear signals unbothered coolness. Works every time!

@stuart_walford

Lauren Dilena, Adelaide stylist

Travelling for the first time as a mum this year definitely changed the way I approached getting dressed for a flight. I want pieces that are comfortable and practical, but still make me feel polished – especially when juggling a toddler, luggage and everything that comes with travelling with a little one. My go-to flight outfit is usually a great pair of wide-leg trousers (I love Assembly Label’s Lola Barrel pant), a simple tee and knit and sneakers. I’m all about fabrics that are comfortable for a long flight, don’t crease easily and can be dressed up once you arrive.

Vestirsi’s Bella Mini 3-in-1 convertible bag was my go-to bag when I travelled overseas this year. It’s leather, incredibly chic and versatile. Lululemon’s Daydrift High-Rise Wide-Leg trousers are quite honestly the best travel pants. They’re incredibly comfortable, easy to wear on and off the plane and barely need any ironing or steaming. I love July’s Carry On for its clever design and considered features. It’s super cool, yet functional. The built-in compression system, dedicated laptop compartment, hidden laundry bag and 360-degree spinner wheels make it incredibly easy to use.

@laurendilena

Milly Wright, Melbourne stylist

I’ve just got back from a month of travelling, so these were genuinely my must-haves for flying and travelling around. I’m all about being comfortable on a flight, but I still want to feel like I’ve actually gotten dressed. My ideal outfit is soft, loose and easy, with a few pieces that still make me feel cool. Exotic Import’s tees have the best fit, colour and shape. They’re also super breathable, which is a must when you’re stuck on a plane for hours. I love a really good basic and would happily build an entire travel outfit around one of these tees. 

Briar Will’s tracksuit pants are my dream aeroplane pants. They’re lightweight, super comfy and have an elastic waist, so you can eat an entire meal without feeling like you’ve made a terrible clothing choice. The Cecilie Bahnsen x Asics Gel-Quantum 360 [sneakers] are so good for travelling because they’re comfy but still feel like a proper part of the outfit. Plus, the elastic makes them ridiculously easy to slip on and off, very handy for airport security and generally just being lazy on a plane. I always need a plane layer because somehow the cabin is either a million degrees or absolutely freezing. Posture Studios’ Navy Panel Track jacket is perfect: comfy, cool and easy to throw on.

@styledby.milly

Joely Malcolm, Sydney stylist and digital creator

The most important thing when you’re flying is comfort, but you also want to stay looking fab. For bottoms, I always wear my Ksubi Ksuper jean. They’re such good quality denim, and I’ve worn them for so long that they feel so soft. Plus, wearing them saves a lot of space in my carry-on. Controversially, I also wear my belt on a flight. Yes, it is a little bit annoying to take off before security, but I feel so much more myself when I step off the plane.

I have to wear a hat because I am an avid big light hater and get easily overstimulated on a plane, so my Tild cap is either in my bag or on my head the entire time I’m at the airport. For shoes, I go for my trusty MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Mule sneakers – these are my comfiest shoes. A hoodie with a nice big hood that fits my headphones is the most important thing, and my Jungles Jungles one hits every single time. It’s the perfect baggy fit without feeling swallowed.

@joelymalcolm

Karinda Mutabazi, Melbourne stylist and creative director

My hero piece is Fool Clothing’s Ladd pants. They’re high-waisted, pleated, lightweight and made from wool. I layer them with an E Nolan Oversized shirt and a cotton tank underneath for warmth. The real MVP is a leather shirt – I found mine on consignment at Secondo, but Elka Collective does a similar version. It’s lighter than packing a jacket but still warm.
@mutabazi_k

Sonali Fernando, Perth stylist

I’m a maximalist, so when I’m travelling I try to balance wearing my heaviest pieces on the plane, looking cute and also being comfortable. I travel quite frequently, so I have created somewhat of a uniform. It usually leans grunge. This looks like a giant coat or jacket that doubles as a blanket, baggy layers centred around an extra-large T-shirt and my high-top Dr Martens. My current go-to combo is my thrifted lime-green plaid Palm Angels overshirt, merch from a local musician or creative such as my Edie Fall of Man tee or Burn Books’ Shear and Skimpies Raw Hem shirt, with a skirt paired over loose pants or trackpants. 

I’m a big fan of Homie’s recently released Handkerchief skirt and anything from Alpha60 would also achieve this look. When I travel, I need my essentials close, so a fun “everything” bag that fits a laptop is a must for me. Great options I’ve looked into are the Telfar large shopping bag range, Msftsrep tote bags and any kind of vintage vinyl Adidas or Nike gym bag you can find on eBay, Depop or Vinted.

@gnarlynandos

Jane Windhorst, Brisbane stylist

Layers are my best friend when flying as I’m often travelling from Brisbane to Sydney or Melbourne, so I have to consider the drop in temperature when I am getting off the plane. I also get really bad motion sickness, so comfort is key.

I’ll often wear a basic singlet or baby tee paired with my Pinky and Kamal Yin flares in dark brown, which are a bamboo and cotton blend, so they’re really soft and comfortable, perfect for travel. I’ll pair this with my JW Pei ballet flats and a thrifted oversized handbag stuffed with Trava Calm and ginger lollies.

When I land I’ll throw on a cosy crewneck jumper – I have a basic black Acne one that I got at Swop [and] never take off. I’ll also have my black Olsen trench coat from Lioness on hand too – a great affordable option for those who rarely get the opportunity to wear heavier outerwear, so can’t justify spending big on something that will spend most of its time collecting dust.

@jane.windhorst

Ghani Arsiono, Melbourne stylist 

Comfort is definitely the priority, but as a Scorpio sun and Leo rising, I still have to look good because you never know who you might bump into. My go-to outfit is a good pair of wide-leg sweatpants from Olivia Rowan with a vintage single-stitch tee from Altar Ego. It’s effortless but still intentional. I love how a cropped tee works with the sweatpants and how the single-stitch fabric drapes on the body.

@9h4ni

For more shopping advice from some of Australia’s top stylists, read the rest of our Where Stylists Shop series.