What to Actually Wear on a Long Haul Flight Without Sacrificing Style

Long haul flight outfits are one of those things that sound simple until you’re actually standing in your bedroom at 4am trying to figure out what to wear for a 10 hour flight. You want to be comfortable enough to actually sleep but you don’t want to land looking like you’ve just rolled out of bed either. It’s a harder balance than it should be.

The good news is it really doesn’t have to be that complicated. The secret is choosing pieces that are comfortable enough to sit in for hours but still look like an actual outfit when you get off the plane. Think soft fabrics, easy layers and shoes you can slip on and off at security without having to sit on the airport floor.

Whether you’re heading somewhere hot and want to keep things light, or you’re flying through the night and need to be as warm and cosy as possible, these long haul flight outfits have got you covered for every type of journey.

1. Black Leggings, White Fitted Tee and Black Windbreaker

This is the outfit for anyone who just wants to be comfortable on a long haul flight and not think too hard about it. Black leggings and a white fitted tee is the most practical base you can start with, and the black windbreaker over the top is perfect for when the cabin gets freezing which it always does. The white New Balance 530s are comfortable enough for a full travel day and look way better than a pair of bulky trainers. The grey slouchy socks, travel pillow and AirPods case are the practical touches that make long-haul travel actually bearable and the black nylon tote fits everything you need for the flight.

The breakdown:

• White fitted tee
• Black cropped leggings
• Black windbreaker
• Grey travel neck pillow
• Grey slouchy socks
• AirPods case
• White New Balance 530s
• Black nylon tote bag

2. Rust Crop Top, Cream Wide Leg Joggers and Camel Cardigan

This is the outfit that looks like you made an effort without actually having to make much effort at all. The rust crop top and cream wide-leg joggers with a drawstring waist is one of the most comfortable combinations you can wear on a long-haul flight, no tight waistbands, no stiff fabric, just really easy pieces that happen to look really good together. The camel oversized cardigan is the perfect layer for when the temperature drops on the plane, and the brown suede clogs are easy to slip on and off at security without any faff. The tan leather crossbody bag and cream carry-on suitcase keep everything in the same warm neutral palette.

The breakdown:

• Rust ribbed crop top
• Cream wide leg drawstring joggers
• Camel oversized cardigan
• Brown suede clogs
• Tan leather crossbody bag
• Cream carry on suitcase

3. Adidas Stripe Crop Tee, Black Cargo Trousers and Denim Jacket

This one is for anyone who refuses to sacrifice style for comfort on a long haul flight and honestly you don’t have to with this outfit. The black wide leg Adidas cargo trousers are comfortable enough to sleep in but the Adidas stripe crop tee and denim jacket give it a really cool, sporty edge. The grey New York cap means you don’t have to worry about your hair and the black cat eye sunglasses are there for when you land and need to look like you haven’t just spent 10 hours on a plane. The black Adidas Sambas and black crescent crossbody bag finish the whole thing off.

The breakdown:

• Adidas stripe crop tee
• Black wide leg Adidas cargo trousers
• Denim jacket
• Grey New York baseball cap
• Black cat eye sunglasses
• Black crescent crossbody bag
• Black Adidas Sambas
• Black carry on suitcase

4. Chocolate Brown Seamless Jumpsuit and Camel Windbreaker

If you want to be as comfortable as humanly possible on a long haul flight while still looking like you tried, a seamless jumpsuit is honestly the answer. The chocolate brown one piece fits like a second skin and there are no waistbands, no uncomfortable seams, nothing to dig in after hour three. The camel windbreaker over the top keeps you warm in the cabin and the camel Adidas Gazelles are comfortable enough for a full travel day. The camel sling bag is practical enough to keep your essentials close without having to dig through a massive bag and the travel pillow and cosy socks mean you’re actually set up to sleep on the flight.

The breakdown:

• Chocolate brown seamless long sleeve jumpsuit
• Camel windbreaker jacket
• Camel travel neck pillow
• Camel ribbed socks
• Camel sling crossbody bag
• Camel Adidas Gazelle trainers

5. White vest, Black Linen Shorts and Blue Stripe Shirt

This one is perfect for anyone flying somewhere hot and wanting to land feeling fresh rather than like they’ve been sitting in a tin can for 10 hours. The white tank and black linen drawstring shorts are as comfortable as it gets for a warm weather flight and the blue stripe oversized shirt layered on top gives you coverage for the cold cabin without making you too hot. The nude Birkenstock sandals are the best shoe choice for a long haul flight, easy to slip off, really comfortable and they work perfectly when you land too. The cream canvas tote is big enough for all your hand luggage essentials.

The breakdown:

• White ribbed tank top
• Black linen drawstring shorts
• Blue stripe oversized shirt
• AirPods
• Cream canvas tote bag
• Nude Birkenstock Arizona sandals

6. Sage Green Knit Co-ord, Birkenstock Clogs and Travel Essentials

A matching knit co-ord is honestly one of the best things you can wear on a long haul flight because it looks like a proper outfit but feels like pyjamas. The sage green set with the cream contrast trim is really elevated for what is essentially a very comfortable two piece and the wide leg trousers mean you have plenty of room to actually move and stretch on the plane. The cream Birkenstock Boston clogs are easy to slip on and off at security and the cream over ear headphones, travel pillow and cream leather tote mean you are fully sorted for the journey.

The breakdown:

• Sage green knit sweatshirt and wide leg trouser co-ord
• Cream travel neck pillow
• Cream over ear headphones
• Cream leather tote bag
• Cream Birkenstock Boston clogs

7. Blue Linen Shirt, Cream Tailored Shorts and Nude Sandals

This is the most elevated of all the long haul flight outfits in this post and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to step off the plane looking like they haven’t just been travelling for hours. The blue linen oversized shirt and cream tailored shorts is a really clean, fresh combination and linen is genuinely one of the best fabrics for long haul travel because it breathes really well. The nude flat sandals are comfortable enough for a full travel day and the cream puffer crossbody bag and weekend bag keep everything practical without ruining the look. The rust cat eye sunglasses are the one pop of colour that stops the whole outfit from feeling too plain.

The breakdown:

• Blue oversized linen shirt
• Cream tailored shorts
• Rust cat eye sunglasses
• Cream puffer crossbody bag
• Cream and sand weekend bag
• Nude flat sandals

And that’s a wrap on these long haul flight outfits! Whether you went for the seamless jumpsuit, the matching co-ord or kept it casual with shorts and a linen shirt, the most important thing is that you actually feel good for the whole journey. Nobody wants to spend 10 hours uncomfortable and nobody should have to.

Save this post for the next time you’ve got a holiday planned and will be taking a long haul flight and no idea what to pack in your carry-on.