Figuring out what to wear on a flight is a delicate balance of style & comfort. This can be even more complicated when traveling for work or vacation — particularly if your destination is a different climate.
Luckily, there are plenty of great clothing options out there that’ll help you stay comfortable on even the longest flight.
So let’s dig into the nitty gritty about what to wear, how to pack, and our favorite comfortable clothing options for men.
Comfort is Key: What To Look For
It’s essential to focus on wearing clothing that won't restrict your movement or make you feel uncomfortable. Instead, focus on finding clothing that is breathable, odor-resistant, soft, and temperature-regulating. It's also essential to wear layers to self-regulate your temperature throughout the day.
At TEREN, we love making clothing from merino wool & bamboo. Both fabrics are anti-microbial and breathable, so you don’t have to worry about offending your neighbor if you get sweaty running to your terminal.
They’re also naturally wrinkle-resistant fabrics, so you can throw them in your backpack without worry.
Other great fabrics to choose from are cotton & synthetic blends. We strongly believe in the power & freedom of one bag travel, so we’ve designed an all-purpose, science-driven capsule wardrobe for men.
It also never hurts to bring along a couple of extra layers to help self-regulate your temperature for long travel days.
Our Favorite Men’s Clothing For Flights
Here are our favorite clothing items for flights.
1. Traveler Tee
We created the Traveler Tee to be an all-in-one solution for any occasion. This shirt is an ideal base layer or undershirt but stylish enough to stand alone.
The Traveler Tee is made from 100% pure superfine (17.5 Microns) Merino wool, which means it has unmatched anti-microbial properties (no, really. You can wear it for a week straight and still not smell bad.) But it's also wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and super comfy.
It’s available in a long-sleeved option and four stylish colors—Sage, navy, black, and grey.
2. Daily Driver Fleece
Layering is essential when traveling because temperatures can shift dramatically throughout your day. Staying comfortable can dramatically improve your travel experience.
This is why we recommend bringing a great mid-layer & light jacket like the Daily Driver Fleece. This is an ultra-lightweight layer that features a four-way stretch so you can move around and feel comfy all day.
Unlike most fleece layers, the Daily Driver Fleece is sleek & packable, so you can throw it in your carry-on bag for easy access without it taking up too much space.
The best part? This jacket is made from recycled water bottles, meaning you’re investing in the planet's health and not contributing to the damaging fast-fashion industry.
Be sure to stay away from jackets that restrict your movement and create a lot of bulk in your luggage, like a leather jacket or denim jacket.
3. Daily Driver Shirt
You may be wondering, “How in the world did a button-up shirt make this list?”
Well, throw everything you know about button-up shirts out the window. The Daily Driver Shirt is expertly and carefully crafted to be the ultimate companion for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, businessmen, and more.
This shirt has all the features you’ve ever wanted in a button-up, including odor resistance, stain protection, four-way stretch, UV protection, moisture-wicking technology, and a completely sustainable blend of fabrics.
Not only that, but there is an integrated lens cleaner, & a fire-starting collar stays in each shirt. (and yes, they’re travel tested with no problems at TSA)
That is why this shirt is the ultimate for an airplane outfit. You will look great throughout your long flight and appropriately dressed to hit the trails or a business meeting.
This shirt also comes in a long-sleeved option, as well as an array of stylish colors.
4. Lightweight Traveler Pants
If you’re a devout lover of jeans, we get it. But did you know that some great alternatives to jeans are more comfortable, more versatile, and even more sustainable than denim?
We created the Lightweight Traveler Pants to be your go-to pair of pants for not just travel outfits but also weddings, camping trips, and even the office.
These pants are the perfect long pants for travel because they’re lightweight & ultra-packable but also durable, breathable, and quick-drying.
They’re stylish enough to wear to a wedding but also functional enough to wear on a multi-day backpacking trip. (multiple customers have worn them on thru hiking the PCT, the CDT, and the AT) They’re truly the best travel pants you’ll ever own.
5. Daily Driver Shorts
If you’re traveling in the summertime or through hot climates, you’ll likely need a great pair of shorts. The Daily Driver shorts are the perfect companion for any vacation and truly one of the best pairs of shorts you’ll ever own.
Just like all of our clothing at TEREN, these shorts are the perfect blend of style & comfort—but they’re also one of the most versatile pairs of shorts you’ll ever own.
They’re stretchy, lightweight, breathable, and odor-resistant, so you can wear them on a long flight or even a multi-day camping trip without fear of being stinky.
They come in both a 7-inch & 9-inch inseam option as well as an array of stylish colors like khaki, black, charcoal, green, brown, and navy.
Packing Tips
As a frequent budget traveler, I’ve mastered the art of one-bag travel, and if you’re interested in learning how, be sure to check out the article!
But regardless of whether you’re fitting everything in your carry-on or checking a bag, it's essential to bring the right things with you on a long plane ride.
Be sure to pack comfortable clothes you can re-wear, as well as lightweight layers that are appropriate for your destination.
Also, it’s relatively common for people to retain some extra water after a long-haul flight. This is why you should ensure your travel outfit gives you flexibility & room for movement.
Foot & ankle swelling are a common problem (as well as deep vein thrombosis), which is why it’s always essential to wear comfortable shoes. If you suffer from swelling often or are prone to blood clots, it can be beneficial to wear compression socks.
Compression socks help encourage blood circulation, which will keep swelling down and help prevent blood clots.
Other than clothing, always be sure to bring:
- Refillable water bottle
- A way to charge your devices (external battery pack, charging cords)
- Snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- Chapstick
- Deodorant
- Prescription medication
- Entertainment (books, puzzles, podcasts, downloaded movies, etc.)
- Earphones
It can be helpful to download all of your media ahead of time, too.
As a full-time traveler, YouTube Premium is one of my most used subscriptions. Not only can you watch your favorite creators ad-free, but you can download content to watch anytime.
I also like to have a couple of podcasts, music playlists, movies, and videos downloaded ahead of time. The right entertainment is the key to getting through long-haul flights.
Minimalist travel doesn’t mean you’ll ever have to go without things you need, it's all about packing smarter, lighter, and cutting the unnecessary things. If you find travel stressful, you’ll likely benefit from a refined packing list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about what to wear on an airplane:
Are you supposed to dress nice on a plane?
There’s no set dress code for the airport, but wearing a stylish travel outfit, especially for long flights, can help you feel comfortable through any layover and ready to tackle the day when you get off the plane.
What are the best fabrics for travel?
Breathable, lightweight, and wrinkle-resistant fabrics are ideal for flights. This is why at TEREN, we are huge advocates of bamboo & merino wool clothing.
Are there any restrictions on clothing items?
No, there are no restrictions on what you can wear on a flight. However, wearing easy-to-remove shoes & lightweight clothing can make airport security go smoother.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully by now, you feel ready to tackle your next big trip with comfort & ease.
If you’ve ever worn the wrong outfit on a long travel day, you know how much of an impact it can have on your mood. Tight clothes, blue jeans, and stiff fabrics can make sleeping, sitting, and navigating tiny airplane bathrooms miserable.
The best thing is that all of the clothes we mentioned are perfect staple items if you travel frequently or are just looking for a high-quality wardrobe that works for you for any occasion.
We started TEREN to create the perfect travel clothes for the style-conscious man, and we stand by our mission to bring only the highest quality clothing to the market.