Tips for Traveling in Style

So why dress up when you fly? Aside from obvious aesthetic reasons, you’ll also make a better first impression amongst the people you interact with. Do you think there’s a chance of you being bumped to first class if you dressed like a slob? Unlikely. You’re treated better overall when you’re dressed well. And with the stress already attached to travel, adding a little confidence booster and feel good into your outfit makes the day a little better.

Being comfortable seems obvious, but sometimes we try to be super stylish and sacrifice a tad bit of comfort. That shouldn’t happen when traveling. You’ll be doing lots of walking, sitting (in snug seats), and standing around. You need to make sure your outfit is optimized for those conditions.

This is the most important tip. Layer up. We know it’s late fall/winter time, but pack that chunky coat in your luggage and layer up instead. If you’re on the move and get warm, you can peel away layers. And vice-versa if you get cold. Layers give you much more flexibility with your outfit when you’re dealing with a full day of travel.

An example outfit (shown above) might be a long sleeve henley, under a button down, under a puffer vest. Throw on a scarf over the top for additional warmth and style. Any of those layers are easy to peel away and pack in a carry-on if needed. But with a setup like the above, you have 5+ outfit combinations to work with, without being too bulky.

With all the walking, standing and sitting you’ll be doing, your pants catch the most beating from it. So highly consider flexible fabric like travel jeans (from brands like Bonobos or Banana Republic – just look for 1-2% spandex on the tag). They’ll offer a bit of stretch so you don’t feel as constricted. They’re also wrinkle resistant and they’re just damn comfortable.

There’s at least one situation when you’re going to need to take off your shoes. And a large line of people behind you waiting for you to move forward. Don’t let laces get in your way, and wear some slip on shoes. These can be loafers, monk straps or even Chelsea boots. You can’t go wrong with any of those options. Pack the laced shoes in your luggage bag and opt for something you can quickly take on and off.

Don’t be afraid to invest in a good quality carry-on/weekender bag. You definitely don’t want something that resembles a gym bag or a bunch of clothes crammed into a backpack. You’ll look like a boss if your already stylish outfit is paired with a great looking bag. If you can afford it, go with leather. If you have a smaller budget, there are plenty of canvas bags that look great.

Check out our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide on a bag recommendations.

While this isn’t a style tip per se, your style won’t matter if your breath smells terribly to the person you’re talking/sitting next to. Keep a pack of gum close.