Condé Nast Traveler Editors Advise on Flight Attire

Optimising Comfort and Presentation for Air Travel

Condé Nast Traveler editors have outlined their preferred clothing for air travel, focusing on both comfort and presentability. The advice, published on 15 August 2026, addresses common dilemmas travellers face when selecting outfits for flights, particularly concerning comfort during long periods in a cabin, ease through security, and adapting to temperature changes.

The editors, who travel frequently, have developed specific "travel uniforms" that balance a relaxed feel suitable for lengthy flights with an appropriate appearance for public spaces and practical movement between airport stages. Their recommendations range from adaptable sets to smart casual items, aiming for polished looks without compromising ease of wear.

This detailed guidance serves to inform both leisure and business travellers seeking to optimise their comfort and presentation while airborne.

Embracing Oversized Silhouettes and Adaptable Denim

Arati Menon, global digital director at Condé Nast Traveler, advocates for oversized and roomy garments. Her approach prioritises clothing that allows for stretching and settling, particularly when occupying compact economy seats. Menon cites items such as large denim, oversized tailored pieces, and loose cotton or poplin shirts.

She also notes a preference for balloon pants, sometimes paired with a more fitted ribbed tank, suggesting that larger silhouettes can appear less creased upon disembarking. Similarly, Jessica Chapel, a commerce writer, highlights wide-legged jeans from Silver Jeans Co. as a staple.

Chapel states these jeans provide the comfort akin to yoga trousers while maintaining the appearance of denim, making them suitable for both swift movements through the airport and relaxed seating during flights.

Strategic Layering and Supportive Footwear Choices

Meaghan Kenny, a commerce editor, emphasises maximum comfort for long-haul flights, aiming for warmth without resembling sleepwear.

Her favoured attire includes an oversized matching set, specifically from Alo, which she describes as providing "elevated in-flight comfort." Kenny also layers a soft, fitted tank underneath her main top, such as an Old Navy Hug double-layer tank top, to adapt to varying cabin temperatures or warmer arrival destinations.

For footwear, Kenny consistently chooses Hoka Clifton 10 sneakers, citing their support and cushioning. She notes their dual utility, serving as her workout shoes during trips. Skyli Alvarez, an editorial assistant, prioritises both a put-together appearance and comfort.

She often wears a lightweight long-sleeve top over a camisole, valuing its attached hood for securing her hair during flights.

Functional Accessories and Smart Packing Strategies

Alvarez also highlights the importance of supportive and well-designed socks, such as those from Doublesoul, particularly for navigating airport security checkpoints where shoes must be removed.

While acknowledging that others opt for sneakers, Alvarez frequently wears metal-accented boots, noting her preference for their style and the practical benefit of saving suitcase space by wearing heavier items during travel. Meaghan Kenny’s travel ensemble is completed by a functional bag: the MZ Wallace Metro Tote Deluxe.

This tote is equipped with a pocket for essential items like a passport, wallet, sunglasses, and phone, alongside ample room for a laptop, Kindle, water bottle, and snacks. A key feature is its luggage sleeve, which allows it to be secured atop a carry-on for easier transit through the airport.

Implications for Travellers

For travellers, these insights from Condé Nast Traveler editors offer concrete guidance on assembling practical yet stylish flight outfits. The collective advice underscores the importance of adaptable layering, comfortable and supportive footwear, and thoughtful accessory choices like multi-functional bags.

Adopting strategies such as wearing bulkier items to conserve luggage space or selecting materials that resist creasing can significantly enhance the travel experience. Travellers can apply these recommendations directly to their packing and dressing routines, aiming to minimise discomfort and maintain a presentable appearance from departure to arrival.

This approach not only aids personal comfort but also streamlines the logistical aspects of air travel, such as navigating security and managing carry-on allowances, demonstrating how considered attire contributes to a more efficient journey.