When it comes to travel outfits, most men just want to be comfortable. This post is all about traveling in comfort and style, because why not have both?
Whether you fly once every few months or every single week, you've probably noticed the variety of men's travel outfits at the airport.
Some men are wearing suits, but most are dressed with one thing in mind: comfort.
Note: Huge thanks to Original Grain for making this post possible! Original Grain is the premier maker of wood and steel watches. The Minimalist features the world's thinnest wooden bezel, made from sustainably sourced wood found all over the world. Use the code modestman for an exclusive discount!It's totally fine to make comfort a priority when deciding what to wear to the airport, but that doesn't mean it's okay to look sloppy when you're flying.
You don't have to wear a suit, but you shouldn't look like you just rolled out of bed, and I think there's a nice middle ground you should aim for.
I'll show you one of my favorite travel outfits below, but first check out this video for five ways to travel in comfort and style:
Here's my go-to travel getup:
shirt (sold out) | pants (similar) | watch | shoes
It's comfortable, functional and stylish. Even though it isn't a very “dressy” outfit, I still look better than most men I see at the airport.
Why is that? First and foremost, my clothes fit well. Plus, even though my outfit is pretty plain, my accessories make it cool.
Notice how the brown leather watch band matches my messenger bag and shoes? It's all about the details, my friend.
This watch may seem ordinary at first glance, but it's actually very unique. Check out the razor thin wooden bezel around the face.
I've seen wooden watches before, but never one like this. Most wooden watches are too big and chunky for my taste, but this one is thin, sleek and elegant.
Note: If you like this watch, check out The Minimalist collection from Original Grain. Use the code modestman for a special discount.
Accessories are the best way to spruce up an otherwise simple outfit, and a wristwatch is an extremely practical accessory for traveling (especially air travel).
They look stylish, and a unique watch is a great conversation starter. Plus they help you keep track of local time when you're flying through different timezones.
I like to set my watch to match my destination right when I sit down on the plane. That way, I always know exactly what time it is where I'm going.
More Casual Travel Outfit
If you want to go with a more casual look, you can swap your chinos and loafers for jeans and sneakers.
shirt (sold out) | jeans | sunglasses | watch | belt | shoes
But don't wear running shoes or beat up old tennis shoes. Go with something like Onitsuka, Vans, Common Projects, Adidas, etc.
This casual travel outfit is still pretty stylish because the individual pieces fit, and the accessories add just enough flare.
What's Your Travel Style?
What do you wear to the airport? Are you a shorts and t-shirt kind of guy, or do you dress it up a little bit?
Let me know in the comments section!
Kevin says
August 30, 2016 at 12:53 pmHey Brock,
Cool post. I have a question unrelated to this topic:
Are clothing brands that are “made in USA” better in quality than brands that are not?
Example – American Apparel > Bonobos/J. Crew/Banana Republic ???
What are some high quality “made in USA” clothing brands?
What are some high quality clothing brands not “made in USA”?
I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity and I’m in search of high quality professional menswear attire and casual wear.
Thanks in advance!
Brock says
August 30, 2016 at 1:39 pmNot necessarily. There are plenty of amazing products coming out of non-USA countries, including China. There’s also a lot of crap coming out of the USA. So to answer your question, “made in USA” isn’t always accurate or indicative of quality.
That said, I think there’s a strong correlation between brands who are dedicated to USA manufacturing and brands who are obsessed with quality. It’s generally WAY more expensive to actually product products here in the U.S., so you have to really care about your products to keep your production here.
I think for someone like you, it’s worth research each brand on a case-by-case basis. Here’s a good starting point:
http://www.acontinuouslean.com/the-american-list/
Robert says
August 30, 2016 at 12:55 pmHey Brock, good tips. Really impressed with the production quality of the video– you’re certainly kicking things up to pro level here.
I just wanted to add another reason why it pays to look good while traveling. When you’re on the road, especially in places you’re not familiar with, people feel more secure interacting with those who look more clean and professional.
If for whatever reason you get held up in customs, immigration, or get lost on the way to your hotel, people are more likely to help you if you’re wearing an oxford shirt than someone who looks like they just crawled out of a Netflix marathon. Traveling through airports can be stressful, particularly with international travel, and looking good takes away at least some of the uncertainty.
Best,
Brock says
August 30, 2016 at 1:32 pmThanks, Robert! And that’s a great point. Things can be a little…touchy with airport staff, especially if you don’t speak their language. Looking ‘put together’ will definitely help you out. At the very least, it won’t hurt.
Teig says
September 27, 2016 at 3:51 pmI fly very frequently, and to reinforce the comment here, I’ve noticed that when I’m “put together” (e.g. suit, fitted shirt, no tie, great accessories) and stay calm, I often get bumped into another class on the plane, am the first to get re-scheduled well when there’s a problem, and have even been slipped a nice travel voucher or two just for dressing well and smiling. It goes a long way. Plus, a good suit is like wearing nice pajamas – comfortable. Great watch, btw.
Rollo says
August 30, 2016 at 3:34 pmI always try to step it up a little for air travel. In my life I have seen the crowds at airports go from classy, well dressed, to looking like a Greyhound bus terminal. This is a good place for someone disgusted with the increasingly low standards of appearance to take a stand. Casual sport coat and something decent to go with it are what I always wear.
AAMA says
August 30, 2016 at 8:21 pmGreat Job again Brock!
carinutah says
August 31, 2016 at 9:48 amGreat post! Air travel can be so stressful and I’ve noticed that when I make a special effort and feel like I’m looking my best, somehow my stress levels go down. Also, gate agents take notice and when there’s an empty seat in first class, guess which people they upgrade? When I was single and traveling a lot, it happened over and over. It wasn’t the reason why I made the effort, but it’s a nice perk!
Blake says
August 31, 2016 at 10:08 pmI know it’s sold out, but that’s probably the best polo shirt I’ve seen. Would you happen to know the brand?
Brock says
August 31, 2016 at 10:13 pmGant Rugger. Yeah man, I love it. I think it’s called the “Vee” polo.
MarkinTex says
September 1, 2016 at 10:36 amWhen I was a little kid traveling in the early 80s, my mother would always dress my brothers and me in sport coats, slacks, dress shoes, and we weren’t out of place, most people still dressed up for travel. Now you see people in flipflops, t-shirts, and gym shorts, allegedly in the name of “comfort”, but then you see them struggling to run in their flipflops to make their connections, and shivering on cold planes. And then when they lose their luggage they have to show up for a meeting or a nice restaurant looking like they just came off the beach. Fortunately I never have to wear a suit for business anymore (highly impractical, especially for my semi-tropical Houston climate), but whether I’m traveling for business or pleasure, I wear the same outfit: a pair of chinos, a long-sleeve button-down shirt (even in summer, because planes get cold) and a pair of brown oxfords with rubber soles with a decent tread and some Dr. Scholes inserts. I’m a carry-on-only guy, and my carry-on always has a thin simple black nylon windbreaker with a jersey lining I bought at Old Navy 10 years ago in case I need an extra layer.
Chris says
September 1, 2016 at 6:52 pmGreat post. I travel a lot, and I see the full range of looks in airports – mostly bad. Another reason not to wear shorts and sandals – other than not wanting to look like you’re 5…people don’t necessarily want to sit next to a guy’s hairy legs and nasty feet.
The Shorter Guy says
September 13, 2016 at 12:39 pmI travel a lot here from/In the UK and Europe, with both work and on vacation. I have seen the best dressed guys plus a lot of UK horror stories, like soccer t-shirts and my biggest pet hate, jogging bottoms!