From Margot Robbie’s white tee to Kendall Jenner’s jelly sandals, here’s what to wear when the flight is long and the photos are unavoidable
Travel is rarely glamorous. Cancellations, security queues, a carry-on that refuses to fit the overhead bin — none of it lends itself to looking pulled together. Your outfit, though, can hold the line.
Peak summer travel is here, with the busiest months still to come, so we went looking at how a few well-dressed frequent fliers handle the terminal. Comfort tends to dominate the brief, but that doesn’t have to mean a sweatsuit. Margot Robbie has worn a plain white T-shirt with baggy jeans, ballet flats and a flap bag, which reads relaxed without reading lazy. Daisy Edgar-Jones took the opposite route with a cotton sundress and a cashmere wrap instead of the usual matching set. Barbara Palvin went for a trench, a striped button-down, wide-leg trousers and sneakers. Three very different answers to the same question.
Below, eight looks to borrow, with the pieces to shop each one.
Clean classics
A white T-shirt and blue jeans still work, decades after they stopped being a novelty. Follow Robbie’s lead: comfortable ballet flats, a structured flap bag, a good leather belt, tortoise sunglasses. That’s the whole formula.
- Leset Margo Tee, $78 (currently $68 at Saks Fifth Avenue)
- Citizens of Humanity Ayla Baggy Jeans, $268
- Margaux Demi Ballet Flats, $280
- Coach Chelsea 30 Bag, $325
- Chimi Ellipse Sunglasses, $220
Simple yet polished
Leggings are not the only option. Edgar-Jones makes the case for a sundress in summer or anywhere warm, layered with a cashmere wrap for the inevitable cabin chill. Add high-vamp flats and a substantial double-handle tote and you’ll walk off the plane looking like you slept.
- Staud Wells Cotton-Poplin A-Line Midi Dress, $285
- White & Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap Scarf, $385
- Miu Miu Vivant Leather Bag, $4,500
- Heaven Mayhem Esme Sunglasses, $170
- Reformation Blaine Flats, $298
On-the-go essentials
Sometimes the capsule wardrobe is enough. Palvin’s khaki trench, striped shirt, wide-leg trousers and sneakers cover curbside drop-off through baggage claim, and survive a red-eye without looking like they did.
- Burberry Long Gabardine Ellingham Car Coat, $3,150
- Comme Si La Shirt Classica, $295
- Gap 365 High-Rise Pleated Trousers, $90
- Vans Old Skool Sneakers, $75
- United Colors of Benetton Hardside Luggage
French flair
Julianne Moore moves between cities constantly and dresses accordingly. Her minimalist approach with a French accent: a black suit layered over a Breton stripe top, both pieces you’ll wear for the length of any trip. Keep the accessories plain — clean loafers and an oversize shopper.
- Theory Relaxed Slash Blazer, $495 (40% off, now $297)
- Matteau Breton Stripe Tee, $315
- Theory Slim-Fit Flare Trousers, $325 (now $270)
- Bottega Veneta Lagoon Leather Loafers, $1,100
- Lié Studio Grace Leather Tote, $800
Denim on denim
The Canadian tuxedo travels well. Isabelle Huppert’s version pairs a denim button-down with matching bootcut jeans and a tonal handbag, then breaks up the blue with a khaki car coat and white sneakers.
- Mango Cotton Twill Trench Coat, $250
- Polo Ralph Lauren Slim-Fit Denim Button-Up Shirt, $168
- Éterne Cash Rigid Bootcut Jeans, $425
- Balenciaga Le City Medium Top Handle Bag, $2,990
- Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Sneakers, $170
Summer-coded staples
Plane, train or bus, Kendall Jenner’s warm-weather kit applies. A halter top with capri pants and jelly sandals, plus a cardigan stashed for the over-air-conditioned stretch. One note for frequent fliers: a leather weekender, particularly The Row’s, is the rare bag that improves with wear.
- Zara Rounded Hem Halter Top, $15
- Skims Refined Knit Capri Pants, $118
- The Row Marlo 14 Leather Tote, $5,300
- Ancient Greek Sandals Iro Jelly Flats, $140
- Chimi Code Sunglasses, $200
Trench dressing
Katie Holmes builds around the trench. Underneath: a silk button-up over a tank, slinky trousers, pointed ballet flats, a pendant necklace. Polished enough for a car straight from the airport to dinner.
- Róhe Classic Double-Breasted Trench Coat, $1,805
- Everlane Must-Have Shirt in Washable Silk, $168
- J.Crew Cosmo Pants, $158
- Prada Saffiano Leather Travel Bag, $5,100
- Ralph Lauren Pointed Leather Ballet Flats, $398
A versatile mix
Amanda Seyfried keeps it simple and easy to copy: a soft black tailored jacket, a fitted turtleneck, relaxed flared jeans. A serious travel bag (hers is Bottega Veneta) and a flat shoe that goes with everything finish it.
- Cos Double-Faced Wool Short Jacket, $299
- Frame Rib Turtleneck, $188
- Mother Jinx Heel Flared Jeans, $270
- Khaite Jane Flats, $840
- Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Weekender Bag, $5,500
