There’s a craft to the travel outfit. It should be comfortable, that goes without saying, but it also need to fulfill a host of other requirements: no single-wear items, fabrics that are able to meet a Goldilocksian standard of temperatures, and pieces that balance form and function. (When it comes to dealing with red-eyes, we’re of the look-good-feel-good school of psychological trickery.) While the best sweaters and shoes to wear on flights are relative no-brainers, travel pants are a different story. Restrictive waistbands and finicky fabrics really cut down your options—so we set out to find some solutions.
Vogue’s Favorite Travel Pants:
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Turns out, the best travel pants are those that aren’t recognizable as such. From wide-leg linen options that’ll double as your beach cover-up to colorful pull-on pants you can style a myriad of ways, our findings would be worth a spot in your carry-on even if you didn’t need them for the trip itself. They’re suited for a range of transit options, too: those traveling by boat or shorter-stint train rides have a little more flexibility than, say, someone stuck in an airplane cabin for 10 hours.
Ahead, shop the 24 best travel pants for every style and destination.
The Linen Ones
If you’re traveling in the summer, opting for linen is a no-brainer. Wear yours with a cozy knit on the plane, then swap in silky blouses, baby tees, and even swimwear for the top once you arrive. Color-wise, a neutral will give you the most mileage out of your travel capsule wardrobe—J. Crew and Reformation’s black linen pants are classic options, though we’re also loving Banana Republic’s pull-on pair done in a rich espresso hue.
The Athleisure Ones
If you’re going to wear sweatpants on a plane—why not give it your best shot? A butter yellow pair from Polo Ralph Lauren zhuzhes up a plain white tee and baseball cap; or, for an of-the-moment take on loungewear, opt for a set of Adidas track pants. This two-tone blue pick is from the brand’s ongoing collaboration with Wales Bonner.
The Denim Ones
For some people, wearing jeans on a flight is the mark of a psychopath—but we’d argue those people simply don’t know where to shop for denim. Loose shapes with a mid-to-low-rise waist are the way to go because they won’t feel constricting if you’re dealing with a red-eye. Plus, because the fabric is heavier, jeans will keep you warm if you’re someone who struggles with the arctic temperatures most cabins are set to.
The Cotton Ones
More structured than linen but more relaxed than denim, a cotton travel pant gives you a lot of flexibility. Take this olive-colored pair from Citizens of Humanity: the drawstring waist is long haul flight-appropriate, but the thicker fabric means they don’t immediately read as casual. For a dressier option, Toteme makes an inky black pant that blends cotton with silk—good for the plane, even better when worn with strappy heeled sandals for a dinner out.
The Knit Ones
Introducing, the dressed-up version of your favorite sweats. Knit pants, whether made from luxe cashmere like these grey Guest in Residence ones or from breathable cotton like La Ligne’s striped pair, have all the comfort of loungewear but feel just the tiniest bit more elevated. (Though for true pajama cosplay, both Donni and Leset make great pointelle versions.)
The Colorful Ones
Sometimes, the best way to brighten a long and (let’s face it) deeply unglamorous day of travel is to bamboozle yourself into a better mood by way of fun clothing. That’s where these colorful options, from deep cobalt to celery green, come in. If you have a road trip or ferry ride ahead of you and need to be aperitivo-ready by the time you get to your destination, these have the bonus of pulling double duty as legitimate vacation staples—just swap your comfy tee for a tank top.
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