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If you are planning long-term or frequent travel, you’ll have a lot of details to coordinate. One easy thing to streamline on stressful travel days is the ‘what to wear’ question. Need some plane outfit inspo? Here are some tips on putting together your own perfect adventure-ready outfit for travel days.

Why have a go-to air travel outfit?

Whether you’re searching for a travel outfit for long haul flights or a plane outfit that will take you from hot to cold weather, a lot of thought can go into picking the perfect outfit for your travel day. Air travel is particularly stressful, but luckily it is also one of the few aspects of your travel experience that will be predictable and repeatable. Why not use the same skills and habits that bring you career success to make for a smoother travel experience? Automate your outfit for air travel so that you can make your decision once and spend more time adventuring.

What Makes a Good Plane Travel Uniform?

Like you would for any good project plan, the first step is thinking through the main goals that you have for a plane travel outfit. Here are the key things your air travel outfit will need to accomplish:

• Comfortable to be in for a long time and for sleeping on a long-haul flight. Your mileage may vary on what this means for you, but be wary of clothing items that are too tight, or have design elements that might poke into you when seated. For this reason, your super-cool leather jacket and hiking shoes should generally either get packed or not come along.
• Presentable enough to hit the ground running if needed when you arrive. Consider your own typical travel activities. This means your plane outfit may need to be suitable for anything from a bike tour to a work video call to a dinner out. And consider that when and even where you arrive may not be what you first expected. 
• Adaptable for many climates. Whether you know you are going from hot to cold, are waylaid to an unplanned destination, or are hit with some unexpected weather, the climates you encounter when travel can vary widely. You should be prepared for at least both mild cold and hot weather, no matter what your weather app is telling you.
• Contains staples of your travel capsule wardrobe. Make sure that your go-to plane outfit is made up of pieces that will serve you in multiple outfits planned for your journey. This way it can be adapted with small tweaks if needed for slightly different travel contexts.
• Has lots of pockets. You will find pockets to be a saving grace on airport journeys especially. Big pockets especially are helpful for keep your passport and boarding pass handy but secure, stashing purchased drinks and snacks, and storing the entertainment items you’ll need in your seat without having to rummage through your bags during boarding.

Air Travel Uniform Template 

Here is a template for a tried-and-true basic outfit that meets the criteria for what makes a good plane outfit. This template should work for either a woman’s or a man’s plane travel outfit.

• Light Jacket. You’ll need one of these in almost every climate. Go for something that’s versatile, weather-wise, and that is stylish enough to dress up the rest of your outfit. 
• Button-Down Top. This is a versatile wardrobe staple that will find a place in every travel bag. These days you can get a classic button-down with specialized iron-free or athletic fabrics, which are great for wrinkle-free travel. You can choose a more relaxed fit or outdoor style if that works better for you. Look for a shirt that you can roll the sleeves up in warmer climates. If you run quite hot, you might swap for a polo.
• Comfy Pants. We’re not talking about pajamas or tracksuits here, but something a little more dressed up. If you love your denim, go for it, but I just don’t find them comfortable for all-day wear. I suggest getting a performance-fabric pair that will have a good stretch and also will hold up to luggage-hauling trauma.
• Stylish Sneakers. These will be comfortable and equally appropriate on a walking tour or in a casual meeting. You should also wear socks, which is a must-have for going through security.

Plane Outfit Inspo 

Here are some examples of what me and my long-time travel partner are wearing on a plane travel day, as well as some specific product recommendations for items we buy again and again. 

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