Long-haul travel can be exhausting, uncomfortable, and challenging, especially if you’re not wearing the right clothes. Choosing the ideal clothes for long flights can help you stay comfortable, relaxed, and fresh, and make your travel experience more enjoyable and stress-free.
In this article, we’ll provide some tips on choosing the best clothes for long-haul travel, including comfortable, practical, stylish, breathable, compression, and weather-specific clothes.
Clothes To Keep Your Comfortable
Comfort is a top priority when it comes to long-haul travel, and the clothing items you choose can make all the difference. Soft, stretchy, and loose-fitting clothes allow you to move freely and prevent you from feeling constricted or restricted during your flight.
Clothing that is too tight or constricting can also restrict blood flow, leading to discomfort and even health risks such as deep vein thrombosis.
Leggings are a versatile and comfortable option for long flights. They are stretchy and move with your body, allowing you to sit, stand, or move around the cabin without feeling restricted. Additionally, they are easy to pair with different tops and shoes, making them a great choice for any outfit.
Sweatpants are another comfortable option that can be perfect for long-haul flights. They are soft and warm, making them ideal for sleeping or relaxing during your flight. Their loose-fitting design also allows for freedom of movement, so you can stretch your legs and move around as needed.
Hoodies are a great addition to any long-haul travel outfit. They are soft and warm, and provide an extra layer of comfort during the flight. Plus, they can be used as a pillow or a blanket, adding even more versatility to your travel wardrobe.
Clothes That Are Practical
When choosing clothes for long-haul travel, practicality is another important factor to consider. Practical clothing items are those that serve multiple functions, have pockets for storing essentials, and are versatile enough to adapt to different situations and environments.
Cargo pants are a great example of practical clothing for long flights. They have plenty of pockets for storing your phone, passport, boarding pass, and other essentials, making them a convenient and accessible choice for air travel. Additionally, they are durable and comfortable, making them ideal for long flights or layovers.
Cardigans are another practical choice for long-haul travel. They are versatile and can be layered with different clothing items to provide warmth without adding bulk. Additionally, they can be easily taken on or off, allowing you to adjust your temperature as needed during the flight.
Convertible pants are a popular option for long flights because they can transform from pants to shorts, allowing you to adjust to different temperatures and settings. This makes them ideal for traveling to destinations with varying climates or for long flights where the temperature may fluctuate.
In addition to cargo pants, cardigans, and convertible pants, other practical clothing items for long-haul travel include shirts with built-in UV protection, dresses with pockets, and jackets with detachable hoods. These items offer convenience, versatility, and functionality, making them ideal for air travel.
Overall, practical clothing items that are versatile have pockets, and can adapt to different situations and environments are essential for long-haul travel. Cargo pants, cardigans, and convertible pants are just a few examples of the many practical clothing items that can help you stay comfortable, organized, and prepared during your next long flight.
Breathable Clothing
Breathable clothing is essential for long-haul travel, particularly when you are flying to a hot and humid destination. Wearing clothes that do not allow your skin to breathe can make you feel sticky, uncomfortable and can even cause skin irritations.
Choosing breathable fabrics will allow you to remain cool, dry, and fresh throughout your journey. Linen shirts are a great choice for long-haul flights, particularly if you are traveling to a tropical location.
They are lightweight, breathable, and offer excellent ventilation, which helps to keep you cool in hot and humid weather. Linen shirts are also versatile, and you can dress them up or down, depending on your itinerary.
Cotton t-shirts are another popular option for long-haul travel, as they are soft, comfortable, and can be layered with other clothes for extra warmth or protection. They are also available in a wide range of styles and colors, making them a perfect choice for any travel wardrobe.
Cotton t-shirts are breathable and absorbent, which helps to wick away moisture from your skin, keeping you cool and dry.
Mesh shoes are a must-have for long-haul travel, especially if you want to keep your feet comfortable and cool. They are lightweight, flexible, and breathable, making them a perfect choice for long walks or layovers. Mesh shoes come in a variety of styles, from casual slip-ons to athletic sneakers, so you can easily find the perfect pair to complement your travel outfit.
In addition to linen shirts, cotton t-shirts, and mesh shoes, other breathable clothing items that are ideal for long-haul flights include lightweight shorts, airy skirts, and loose-fitting dresses.
These clothing items allow for better airflow and ventilation, helping to prevent sweat and odor during your journey. It is also advisable to wear natural fabrics like silk, cotton, and linen, which are more breathable than synthetic materials like polyester or nylon.
Compression Clothes
Compression clothes are a popular choice among long-haul travelers due to their ability to improve blood flow, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can be caused by prolonged sitting. Whether you prefer compression socks, leggings, or shirts, these garments can provide a comfortable and supportive option for your long journey.
For long-haul travelers who are prone to swelling, fatigue, and poor circulation, compression clothes can be a great solution. Designed to fit snugly around the body, these garments provide graduated pressure that helps circulate blood more efficiently, reducing the risk of swelling and blood clots.
Compression socks for hiking can be a great option for long-haul flights as well as all of the walking you plan to do. Designed with extra support and cushioning in mind, they are perfect for those needing additional help keeping their feet comfortable during a long journey.
Additionally, they are made from durable materials that are designed to withstand extended wear and tear, making them a great investment for frequent travelers.
In addition to compression socks, compression leggings are another popular option for long-haul travel. They provide gentle pressure on the lower leg, thigh, and glute muscles, helping to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Compression leggings also provide additional support for the joints, which can help to prevent injuries during long periods of sitting.
Weather-Specific Items
Last but not least, you want to pack weather-specific clothes for long-haul travel, especially if you’re traveling to a destination with a different climate than your own. You want to wear clothes that are suitable for the temperature, humidity, and precipitation levels of your destination.
Some of the most weather-specific clothing items for long flights include raincoats, scarves, and sun hats. Raincoats can protect you from rain and wind, while scarves can keep you warm and add some style to your outfit. Sun hats can shield you from the sun and prevent sunburn, especially if you’re traveling to a sunny and hot destination.
From loose, comfortable, breathable, compression, and weather-related, travelers have a wide range of clothes they can wear during travel. So the simplest rule of thumb is this, wear what makes you comfortable. Above all, get out there!
Jennifer Bell is a self-proclaimed fashionista, world traveler, and writer for rehabilitation clinics and medical equipment suppliers in the Philadelphia area.
