A Winter Airport Outfit Recipe
The simple outfit that carried me through my past months of travel
I knew moving across the world would mean a lot of back home travel, but I didn’t anticipate how taxing it would be. I still have back pain from my return flight two weeks ago. But, since I was small, I’ve loved flying. The only thing I’d pack as a carry-on was a small pink roller suitcase full of miniature Barbies collected from McDonald’s Happy Meals. I’m sure my mom still has the Rubbermaid bin of them in a storage unit somewhere.
My recent constant schedule of air travel (and train travel) requires a comfy outfit. I’m always cold, and I’d rather be sweaty with layers than frozen while stuck in a seat for hours. However, this past February, I settled on the perfect winter travel outfit that keeps me temperature regulated, and tricks fellow cabin members and passersby into thinking I am not disheveled.
From afar, the outfit doesn’t look that noteworthy. And technically it isn’t at first glance — but what makes it appealing is the comfort that comes from this oversized yet tidy silhouette. One of my favorite things is when you put on an oversized article of clothing and it drapes perfectly without swallowing you up. It’s a phenomenon I experienced with the coat pictured in the above photo, and also with my favorite secondhand Mango coat that I wrote about in newsletter from last fall.
So, let’s break down what I’m wearing in this photo, and how each of them have come together to create my favorite winter travel outfit recipe.
First, a thin long-sleeve wool shirt
In my opinion, this is the most important part of the outfit. Thin wool long-sleeve tops have been a godsend for me this winter. I usually layer them with a heavier sweater on top, since temperatures have gotten to around freezing level in Switzerland, but they work just as well on their own. For me, thin wool tops are great at temperature-regulating due to their breathability— they keep you warm, but not too warm, and cool, but not too cool. I know that a popular one in the fashion community is the version from COS, which tends to go on sale often. They also produce them in a variety of exciting colors seasonally. Intimissimi also sells a modal-cashmere blend version, which I haven’t tried but have heard equally good things about. For an extra $12, they’ll let you embroider your initials on it, which is sweet if you’re into that!
Next, a cozy cardigan
Really, this doesn’t have to be any type of particular cut or color, but I like a cardigan instead of a pullover sweater just because it’s easier to remove without bumping the person sitting next to you on the plane (unless one is flying biz class, which is a daydream for another time). The one I’m wearing in the photo is very old H&M that I think I stole from my mom. Regardless, I’d suggest layering over top one of your favorites of the less itchy variety. Something a little bit longer and not cropped will probably work in your favor, as it covers up more and plays into the comfy oversized look.
Third, a pair of loose trousers (controversial)
Trousers? On a plane? During a long-haul flight? I know, it seems a little much, but I really didn’t have an issue traveling in my Effortless Pants from Aritzia. It’s not a brand I tend to gravitate towards very much, but I did cave and buy these because they fit my petite stature very well and the crepe material is soft, easy to spot clean, and doesn’t pick up lint. The Uniqlo ones are supposed to be a dupe, plus you can customize the fit directly on the product page.
Two main reasons why I chose trousers over sweats: first, they just look better than sweatpants once you get off the plane, and second, the fact that they are looser helps them not smell as musty once you get off the plane. The air in that cabin just keeps recirculating, and I can’t be bothered to bring an extra set of pants on top of the extra pair of underwear that I’m packing into my cabin bags for transcontinental flight. I just won’t do it — I’m a little bit of a lazy traveler!
Lastly, a wool coat (probably too heavy to pack into your checked bag so you have to wear it on the plane anyway)
I love this coat so much. I found it on WCONCEPT, which I don’t really shop on that often but I do think there are some amazing pieces, especially in the outerwear category. They mainly stock Korean designers and brands, and this coat pictured is from TILLIDIE (which is a sick brand name). It is a one size fits all coat with the suggested size being extra small to medium. A bit odd and surely disappointing, but not uncommon for Korean brands to do. It has a raglan cut, which looks better on me than double-breasted, and the sleeves have a balloon curve to them. It sold out before I got to share it with you, but see this alternative one from a different brand. The final coat layer ensures I’ll be warm up to the moment I step inside my home, and gives me just a little more room in my checked luggage.
And that’s it. Feel free to customize your outfit with your favorite items, such as Loop earplugs (I own two pairs of them, they’re the best), compression socks, sneakers of choice, overpriced chocolate-covered pretzels from the terminal kiosk, you name it.
Outside of fashion, here are a few recommendations of things & media I’ve been loving:
Rehash podcast — Found through a comment on Viv Chen’s recent piece, “is substack the new man repeller?”
Painting my nails — Olive & June long-lasting nail polish is so, so good
Listening to episodes of THE EARLY BIRD SHOW W/ MARIA SOMERVILLE when I want something more ambient and relaxing
I recently finished listening to Glossy by Marisa Meltzer on Spotify Audiobooks, and it was interesting and gave a good look at the #girlboss era, especially for someone who was very much into the whole Glossier scene back in 2016-2017 and then moved on from the brand (aka me)
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one!