The Best Airport Outfits for Every Season and Climate

Published June 17, 2022

Written by:

Nick Hilton
Nick Hilden
Nick Hilton

Pacific Northwest native Nick Hilden is a travel and culture writer whose work has appeared in Afar, the Daily Beast,...

Edited by:

Headshot of Jeremy Michael Cohen
Jeremy Michael Cohen
Headshot of Jeremy Michael Cohen

Jeremy Michael Cohen is a co-founder of Tortuga. He also works as a screenwriter and director. Aside from travel and...

Walking through first class on an airplane

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Over the course of countless flights, I’ve encountered airplane outfits of just about every variety. From cozy pajamas to sharp suits and everything in between. If you can wear it on a plane, I’ve seen it. But with many diverse options out there, what are the best outfits for airports and airplanes?

To answer this question, we’re going to look at a range of travel outfit ideas spanning the trendy, the practical, and the comfortable for various seasons and climates.

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Travel Outfit Considerations

There are a few things to keep in mind no matter what the weather is:

  • Less is more: Minimalist capsule wardrobes are a great way to pack a range of outfits while going carry-on-only, which should always be your goal.
  • Think in layers: Laying up is smart for two reasons. First, airports can be chilly, so bring extra layers or a light jacket. Laying also reduces what you need to pack, helping to achieve the aforementioned carry-on-only goal. But don’t go overboard with layers, as you don’t want too much to juggle as you move through the airport.
  • Don’t forget inside vs. outside temperatures: Wearing shorts on your way to Vegas or Hawaii might seem like it makes sense, but the airport and in-flight air-conditioning will cool things off fast. Keep in mind that your airport outfit doesn’t necessarily have to correspond with your destination.
  • Balance comfort with style:  You don’t want to show up wherever you’re going looking like a total slob. Comfort is great, but showing up with at least something close to stylish sets a tone for the rest of your trip. 

Now that we’ve got these basics out of the way, let’s look at a few specific airport outfit ideas for different seasons and climates.

A woman exploring Bangkok.

The Best Airport Outfits for Summer

In summer you need to dress for the weather, but only up to a point. Yes, you want to be ready for the heat. But you should also be prepared for that airport and in-flight chill. 

Sandals or flip-flops might seem like a good idea, but wear something comfortable for lots of walking through the airport and to your accommodations once you’ve arrived. Here’s a solid travel outfit idea for the summer and sun:

  • Light pair of pants or jeans: You can find several suggestions in our roundup of the best travel pants, including several lightweight options that will transfer from the airport AC to the outdoor heat well.
  • Sundress: A light dress can be a great alternative to pants.
  • T-shirt
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Light jacket or shawl

I don’t recommend wearing shorts while flying for two reasons. First, the AC. Second, shorts take up less space in your bag than pants. By wearing the pants you make room for two pairs of shorts, which expands your outfit opportunities.

If your sunny destination is in the tropics, don’t forget a rain shell. Places like Thailand or the southern part of Mexico will often experience rain on a daily basis during certain seasons. You’ll want to be ready if you emerge from the airport directly into a downpour.  

The Best Airport Outfits for Spring or Fall

In the in-between weather of the spring or fall, days can be warmer but nights can get cold fast. Random rain showers might pop up. Be prepared. Destinations like San Francisco or Seattle have inconsistent weather all year round.

Layers are the name of the game in these situations. You want to be ready for changes in temperature or the possibility of rain.

Your outfit can be similar to the summer recommendations but add a raincoat or jacket. The same goes for a warm layer like a hoodie or light sweater. Your middle-weather airport outfit should look something like this:

  • A medium-weight shirt: I’m a big fan of the Plaid Board Shirt from Pendleton, which is heavy enough to cut a chill but light enough to keep from working up a sweat. It also takes up barely any room and can add some color to a range of outfits. The Sombra Sun Hoodie from Cotopaxi is a great option for women as it’s light, comfy, and takes up next to zero space in your bag.
  • Medium-weight pants: In our travel pants guide, we mentioned two jogger options that are great in this regard. The pants are comfy and warm, but you won’t overheat.
  • A middle layer between your shirt and jacket, like a hoodie or sweater.
  • Destination-appropriate jacket
Woman wearing winter coat while traveling in New York City

The Best Airport Outfits for Winter

Traveling in the cold can be the most challenging as you need to be bundled up against the weather outside but don’t necessarily want to wear all that warmth once you’re inside the airport. This is especially true if there’s snow or heavy rain involved.

An abundance of layers might seem like the best idea, but too many layers can be tricky in an airport. You’ll end up taking them on and off, juggling them all the way to your gate. A better option is a single, oversized coat that you can take on and off as necessary without too much struggle. With the coat, your cold-weather airport outfit should look something like this:

  • Oversized coat or parka
  • Heavier jeans or pants
  • Lightweight shirt as a base
  • Light layer like a sweater or hoodie (no need for more with that heavy coat)
  • Beanie
  • Waterproof shoes
  • Gloves (optional)
  • Scarf (optional)

Notice that I suggested waterproof shoes rather than heavy snow boots. Boots are necessary if you’re going someplace specifically for snow sports, but they’re overkill and outright unstylish in places like Europe, even in the winter. Find yourself a nice pair of waterproof shoes or comfortable ankle boots.

Tortuga
Carry-On-Sized Travel Backpacks
4.5

Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.

Pros:
  • Thick comfortable straps
  • Easy to organize
  • Durable, waterproof fabric
  • Backed by our Worldwide Warranty
Shop at Tortuga

The Best Airplane Backpack

Now you might be wondering what the best luggage is to go with your airport outfit. My goal is always to go carry-on-only to avoid the hassles and holdups of checking a bag. You also want something that’s appropriate for any weather situation, especially rain.

From my experience, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is your best option. Not only is it unparalleled in terms of maximizing the usability of every square inch afforded to you by airline carry on restrictions, but its durable sailcloth exterior is waterproof and built to withstand whatever the weather throws at it. It’s also uber-comfortable thanks to its heavily padded, fully adjustable harness. 

I’ve worn my Travel Backpack for countless hours of navigating airports and wandering cities, and it always feels great.

Conclusion

In the end, choosing the right airport outfit comes down to thinking strategically:

  • Layer for the weather, keeping in mind that the temperature inside the airport and plane might differ dramatically from the conditions outside.
  • Build a capsule wardrobe so that you can look great and be prepared for anything while fitting it all into a carry-on-sized travel backpack.
  • In more extreme cold, an oversized coat can be a good alternative to over-layering, the latter of which can result in too much hassle as you take things on and off to adjust for the circumstance.
Nick Hilton

Nick Hilden

Pacific Northwest native Nick Hilden is a travel and culture writer whose work has appeared in Afar, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Men’s Health, Fodor’s, Popular Science, Scientific American, Thrillist, Vice, Runner’s World, and many, many more. He’s carried a Tortuga Outbreaker through year after year of traveling to places like Turkey, Tunisia, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Serbia, France, Italy, Greece, Mexico, all across the U.S., and beyond. You can follow his travels via Instagram @nick.hilden.

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