Holiday travel tips and some travel outfit ideas to look (and feel) great while getting there. You don’t need to choose between style and comfort!
Holiday travel. We are always trying to save money on flights and maximize our time with family, so we end up on horrible redeye flights that leave at midnight and get in at 5am. It’s so brutal. It’s not like there’s much time to catch up on sleep either, with trips home already being too short. For me, keeping sane comes down to packing smart, and staying comfortable without looking sloppy.
Here are some holiday travel tips and a few travel outfit ideas for looking (and feeling) great while getting where you need to go!
Travel Outfit Ideas
Pick a Neutral Color Palate
In a perfect world, you’ll pack in advance and plan out outfits that are easy to mix and match. I’d be lying if I said that I do that for all of my trips. Instead, I try to pack the majority of my pieces in one color scheme. That way everything goes together without having to think about it. I rely on a few colorful pieces and accessories to add flare. Just make sure your shoes and purses go with all of your packing choices.
Ways to Dress for Airport Security
Slip on shoes are essential, obviously. You may also want to wear thin socks until you get through security to avoid being barefoot in the airport! If your jewelry is fairly delicate, or made from non-metal materials, you can get away with keeping it on, like these stackable rings and a delicate necklace. I also keep my Marc Jacobs watch on when I travel because it has a leather band.
I’m loving this pyrite cuff from local designer Erica Tanov. If you’re in the Bay Area, she has stores in Berkeley and Marin. It also slips off easily in security.
Dress Cozy But Not Sloppy
I love silk as much as anyone, but let’s face it – that cross-country flight is just not the right place for it. Stick with lightweight, breathable fabrics like cashmere. Their Miskace technical cashmere blend that Kit and Ace makes keeps the softness of cashmere, but adds in machine washability and breathability that makes it great for travel. There’s no need to worry about steaming or ironing either.
Their grey long sleeve shirt is a perfect. The fabric is brushed, which makes it softer than soft. It’s cozy and warm, but not too warm. The fit balances tailored and casual perfectly. It’s also great piece for layering.
Never Underestimate the Power of a Red Lip
A red lip instantly pulls any outfit together. It makes it look like your cozy style look intentional, instead of haphazard. I wear this E.L.F. lipstick everywhere. It’s long-lasting, super flattering and the best part is, it’s only $3. In case you’re wondering about my burgundy nail polish, here’s the link. I topped it with this gorgeous gold leaf flake nail polish.
Clothes that Do Double Duty
Repeat after me: blanket scarf. That’s all you really need to know. Equally chic as a scarf or a wrap, it’s my airplane survival tool. There’s nothing like wrapping yourself up in 100% cashmere to make you forget you’re in the middle row in the economy cabin. It also looks intentional when I toss it on the couch when I get home. I have half a mind to buy a second one to actually keep there as a blanket.
Alternatives to Black Leggings
Black leggings are a travel faux pas that I am guilty of. It’s an easy habit, but I’ve realized they are really not that flattering on me. I can finally throw them out thanks to my Mulberry pants from Kit and Ace. I wear them everywhere, from errands to meetings, and get constant compliments. They are tailored, but don’t have any zips or buttons. This makes them feel like a legging, but they are tailored enough that I can wear them to work with a nice blouse. The high elastic waistband is also super flattering and makes me look, and feel, leaner. There’s also a hidden cell phone pocket in the waistband, meaning I can have both my hands free when running errands.
Kit & Ace Products (c/o):
Mulberry Pant // Ashton Brushed Long Sleeve // Border On Softness Blanket Scarf //
Discounted Flights App
Oh and on the subject of travel, have any of you tried DealRay? The premise is that the app notifies you when a super cheap flight listed, meaning you can save hundreds of dollars on tickets. I just downloaded the app last week, but within three days we got a notification about cheap flights to Iceland! Iceland has been on our list for ages, and I spontaneously bought a ticket for this coming May! After taxes and baggage fees, it came out to $950 for two round-trip direct flights to Iceland!!!! We’re so excited! If you use DealRay, let me know if you’ve found any good deals. There’s a monthly service fee, but the first two months are free if you use my referral link, so you can try it without any risk.
Thanks for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, Bloglovin’, Snapchat (@asideofsweet), or Twitter. You can also subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts and random musings from me.
Photos by Cynthia Linh (@CynEats)
Katey Violet Fog says
I definitely have to check out that flight app Dealray! I can’t believe you got a roundtrip to Iceland for $950 that’s insane!…. And so agree on the red lip. 😉
Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says
Two roundtrip tickets!!! You should definitely sign up if you’re looking for an adventure!