The question of how to dress for air travel is a common one, especially among women. There are tons of flying hacks out there for female travelers to ensure a stress-free airport experience and prevent missed flights - and one of them is knowing the best women's clothes for flying. Whether it's one's first time flying on a plane or one's hundredth, it's hard to figure out what to pack for a trip.

So what should women wear on flights - how what to wear on a flight as a woman? If an outfit can't be worn two or three times and look different by customizing it with accessories, then you shouldn't bring it on a flight. Attire that can go from day to night is always the best bet. And you'll look effortlessly chic and stylish in a sea of tourists who are wearing tourist shirts, sweats, and baseball caps.

Whether it’s because one will stick out like a sore thumb abroad or the traveler will be uncomfortable on a plane, it's essential to pack and dress appropriately when dressing for a flight. For some, that means they'll want to research their specific destination to find out which clothes are and aren't applicable to their particular flight.

Travelers should also keep in mind the local customs and religious beliefs. The key is to blend in. This means no bright or loud colors and sticking to neutrals. Visitors look less like a mark for thieves who prey on people who look like tourists. Now that there's a general sense of what to bring while traveling, here are some specific things women should wear on flights, as well as some things women shouldn't wear on flights.

UPDATE: 2023/06/12 20:58 EST BY AARON SPRAY

More Of The Best Women's Clothes For Air Travel

Knowing how to dress for a flight for the first time can be challenging. Should one dress formally or casually? Knowing what to wear on a plane as a woman can make the journey much more relaxing and enjoyable. This list was updated and expanded to with more of the best women's clothes for air travel.

28 Don't Wear: High Heels

couple's feet at the Eiffel Tower
Photo by The Paris Photographer on Unsplash
Woman wearing high heels at the Eiffel Tower 

Answering the "what to wear while traveling" question is easier to start by saying what not to wear while traveling - and one thing is simple when figuring out the best women's clothes for air travel. Do not ever bring or wear shoes with heels on flights. That means platform shoes and stilettos.

First off, do you know how hard it is to walk through a cavernous airport while wearing high heels? You have to walk from security to get to your gate, and that may be a long stroll. And besides, if you're on a vacation, when are you going to wear high heels? While suntanning by the pool? While getting ice from the ice machine? Yes, you may want to dress up for dinner, but remember, as Town & Country said, comfort is everything when you travel.

27 Wear: A Hat That Suits The Climate​​​​​

Woman in a hat smiling against a horse
Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash
Woman in a hat smiling against a horse

A woman will benefit by bringing a hat while flying. A hat serves three purposes. One, you can wear it on bad hair days. A fedora straw hat, a newsboy cap or a military cap are ideal. Two, a hat can keep you warm if you're going somewhere cold. We suggest a wool or cashmere beanie.

Finally, a hat can drastically change your look. A straw hat is the best to bring because it can make a white T-shirt and jeans or any ensemble look effortlessly chic. If you want to look sporty at the beach, wear a visor or borrow your boyfriend's baseball cap.

26 Don't Wear: Bright Colors

Boat on beach
Boat on the tropical beach

Don't wear clothes in bold patterns or loud colors. Remember that you should bring attire that coordinates well with each other, such as any combination of black, navy, grey and charcoal. You can't go wrong with a black T and your favorite jeans or leggings, and you will be keeping your packing to a minimum.

As Smarter Travel pointed out, those colors will make you look put together, and you'll be able to blend in with the crowd while sightseeing and not draw unwanted attention to yourself, especially thieves.

25 Wear: Tactical Jackets Or Hoodies With Plentiful Large Pockets

Individual stands in an orange jacket
Photo by Daniel Bowman on Unsplash
Individual stands in an orange jacket against a snowy backdrop

Everyone knows how difficult it can be to stick to the hand luggage limit, especially when you have lots of essentials that you really need to keep on your person at all times. It's also incredibly irritating and time-consuming to have to keep unpacking and re-packing your carry-on case every time you go through airport security (there are many hacks to get through airport security faster to help with that).

However, the key to enjoying an organized and hassle-free waltz through the airport and bypassing strict hand luggage allowances is to wear your affairs. Travelers can buy specifically designed travel-friendly jackets and hoodies with lots of tactical and large pockets that can be used to hold all manners of items.

Phones, passports, tablets, wallets, cameras and even laptops can all be kept on you instead of in your hand baggage, which means you can breeze through airport security and carry more without worrying about going over the weight and bag quantity limit.

24 Don't Wear: More Than One Pair Of Jeans For The Whole Trip

Anantara Kihavah Maldives
Photo by Matheen Faiz on Unsplash
An aerial view of Anantara Kihavah

Jeans go with anything; they're versatile and long-lasting and are perfect for any type of weather. As we suggested, for that effortless look, pairing denim with a navy blazer and a white T-shirt is perfect for informal events, such as when visiting tourist sites. While other people will look like tourists, you'll look very chic.

But there's no reason to bring more than one piece of denim. Stick to one pair only. Anything more, and you'll have little room in your suitcase, as denim is also heavy, even when it's folded tightly.

23 Don't Wear: Skinny Jeans

Folded denim pants
Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
Folded denim pants

You should always bring jeans with you on your trip because they go with almost everything. But you should not wear skinny or tight jeans while flying. All that time you're sitting on a plane, especially one that is over ten hours, will make your skinny jeans feel very uncomfortable. And you increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis or blood clots.

So wear more sensible jeans and, for preventive measures, put on the compression socks we talk about later. Regular socks will inhibit blood circulation and cause swelling of the legs.

Related: How To Pack Your Carry-On To Make Going Through Airport Security Hassle-Free

22 Wear: Comfortable Clothing While On A Plane

Photo by Muhammadh Saamy on Unsplash
Photo by Muhammadh Saamy on Unsplash
Family enjoying overwater villas in the Maldives 

It may be tempting to dress up to look and feel fabulous for a flight - after all, the stars make it look so easy - but even a six-hour flight will make you uncomfortable if you've chosen the wrong things to wear on the plane. The trick is to stay away from bulky items (puffy jackets, for example) and to wear clothes you can layer and that are comfortable.

For tops, bring with you a sweatshirt made of lightweight cotton over a T-shirt as a base. Then put a sweatshirt hoodie in a larger size over your shirt, big enough that it won't prohibit your movement. For pants, wear leggings or nylon workout pants. You can get some quality-made sweats at J.Crew or Pink.

21 Don't Wear: A Tote Bag Without A Top Closure

St. Lucia, Caribbean
Photo 20400363 Lawrence Weslowski Jr | Dreamstime.com
A tropical adults-only retreat awaits at Coconut Bay, St. Lucia, Caribbean

Many women who travel by plane often bring along with them a tote bag or a bag with a wide top opening on their flight so that they can easily rummage through their bag for those glasses they need to read, for example. But if the bag doesn't have a button or zipper closure and you plan on walking around with it on tourist sites, don't use it.

An open bag is an open invitation to pickpockets. Instead, carry a purse that has a zipper or a cross-body bag. Just remember, a bag with a zipper will make you less of a target for thieves.

20 Wear: Breathable Fabrics

Female tourist traveling in Madrid, Spain
Shutterstock
Female tourist traveling in Madrid, Spain

The most comfortable fabrics to wear are those that allow your skin to breathe. Materials such as cotton, linen and silk are great options, which allow adequate airflow to the skin. This ensures that sweat doesn't get clogged up, and you'll feel fresher and cleaner for longer.

Natural fabrics are of course the best choices, but other man-made quick-drying materials can be just as good for allowing your skin to breathe too - like spandex and polyester blends.

19 Wear: Comfortable Sweats For The Plane

Airplane flying over tropical palm trees
Shutterstock
Airplane flying over tropical palm trees

For those who think gym wear like sweats makes you look like a slob while flying in a plane, try this alternate outfit. Wear a Polartec jacket made of real fleece as your shell or outerwear, and if the A/C gets too cold, remove the jacket to reveal a long-sleeve lightweight sweater.

Cotton is ideal, but merino wool is thin enough to wear comfortably and will guarantee that you'll feel warm. For bottoms, suiting pants are your best bet because they offer a little bit of stretch so as not to impede your movement. The best trousers are those made of Lycra and synthetic fibers.

18 Don't Wear: Pajamas

Airplane overpassing Barcelona´s buildings.
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash
Airplane overpassing Barcelona´s buildings.

If you fly a lot, you've probably seen a lot of people at the airport or on a flight who are dressed inappropriately. One example are passengers who wear pajamas on the plane so they feel cozy and relaxed.

Pajamas are improper to wear on a flight and belong only in your bedroom or in your hotel room. It's a known fact that flight attendants treat passengers who are dressed nicely differently from those who look like slobs or think the aircraft is their home.

17 Wear: A Scarf

Woman wearing scarf in snow
Unsplash
Woman wearing scarf in snow

The essential accessory you should always bring while traveling is a scarf. It will alter your outfit in the same way as a straw hat. And style-wise, the T-shirt and jeans combo will work well with the scarf. For hot weather, wear a lightweight cotton/rayon scarf. You can also wear it when it's chilly at night, especially if you're near the beach.

Just make sure the scarf is an infinity scarf or measures around 30 x 80 so it can be layered or worn in different styles. For winter, a cashmere scarf is the only scarf that will do if you want to look stylish.

Related: The 10 Worst Problems You Can Run Into In An Airport (& How To Solve Them)

16 Don't Wear: Bulky Parkas

View out of an airplane window at sunset
Photo by Eva Darron on Unsplash
View out of an airplane window at sunset

You should never bring a large, oversized coat while you travel. That means bulky parkas with fake-fur hoods, big puffy jackets, and quilted puffy jackets, for example. If you justify bringing such coats because you are going somewhere cold, look in the mirror to see if you look like you're in the Arctic. If you do, you're wearing the wrong jacket, and it won't fit in your carry-on.

It also won't fit in your seat if you take it off while flying. The best bet is to bring an all-season jacket that is both warm enough for winter and lightweight for crisp falls.

15 Wear: Essential Clothing For Traveling To Somewhere Hot

Female tourist searching road to hotel
Shutterstock
A tourist looking at a map

If you're going somewhere that's hot and has plenty of beaches, you should always pack at least two bathing suits. The stylish woman should also bring a swim cover-up and two large and comfy T-shirts, one to use at the beach when it gets a little cool and one to sleep in.

Even if you're traveling during cold months and you are staying at a hotel that has an indoor or heated pool, keeping a bathing suit in your luggage will allow for some impromptu swimming.

14 Wear: Attire That's Dependent On Where You're Going

Tourists sunbathe in Moon Palace Jamaica resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Unsplash 
Tourists sunbathe in Moon Palace Jamaica resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

You should always bring clothing that matches where you're going. To make this happen, choose clothing in three matching colors that should be based on your destination. This means if you are going to an urban destination like New York, you should bring attire in dark colors, such as any combination of black, navy, gray, and charcoal.

If you are going somewhere tropical, white should be the standard, along with bright clothing like orange and pink. Of course, this isn't mandatory, but it's a great fashion theme for travelers who want to match their style to where they're going on vacation.

Related: 10 Ways To Avoid Paying For Extra Fees At The Airport

13 Don't Wear: Expensive Jewelry

Krakow, Poland
Photo by Katarzyna Pracuch on Unsplash
Beautiful Kraków Market Square is full of tourists during the Summer

You should never bring expensive jewelry when traveling. If you do and are showing it off, you may just become a mark for thieves and pickpockets. But that's not the only reason. There are more problems when traveling with jewelry.

You might lose pieces while traveling, and they may be expensive or difficult to replace. Plus, if you don't separate your jewelry in your carry-on, your necklaces may get tangled or knotted up.Related: Safety Hacks All Female Travelers Should Know

12 Wear: Pieces That Exude The Classic American Look

Tourists Starting Out On The Ha Giang Loop
Photo by Aaron Spray
Tourists Starting Out On The Ha Giang Loop

You can also bring clothes that have a classic American look. You'll completely blend in if you are traveling as a tourist (if you're in the US, that is), and your outfit will take you anywhere. So what's the classic look? Definitely your favorite pair of jeans, a white T-shirt, and some nice pants or skirts.

If you also bring along a chic blazer, all of these things will create several outfits. You can wear the T under the blazer for a casual look, a blouse for a more stylish look, and you can dress up the blazer by wearing formal pants.

11 Wear: The Little Black Dress

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

Most women have the little black dress in their closet, and it's often their go-to dress for dinners out or formal occasions. Because the black dress is so versatile, you should always bring it with you when you travel. While mixing and matching, the black dress can go from day to night in an instant, which is great if you're going directly from the airport to an event and don't have any time to change and get ready.

You can wear a comfortable little black dress under a jacket while flying, enabling you to go from airport chic to a smart event or night out without even necessarily going to your accommodation to get dressed up. For an informal look, wear a floppy hat and a lightweight jacket. The style right now is the jean jacket, so wear that if you have one. For more formal affairs, dress up the dress by wearing pearls or some costume jewelry.

10 Don't Wear: A Strong Fragrance​​​​​​

Sunbathing on a beach
Image by Terri Cnudde from Pixabay 
A tourist sunbathing on the beach 

Sure, a lot of women wear perfume. But while traveling on an airplane where we're all sharing the same air, you should keep your favorite perfume to the minimum. Or better yet, especially when your scent offends other passengers, you should do without. And you should also not be experimenting while up in the air because you may spray too much perfume on yourself.

Be respectful of passengers around you. People with allergies, those with asthma, or anyone prone to headaches might also be bothered by your scent.

9 Don't Wear: Clothing That Is Packed Freely

Shades, shoes and clothing in pink suitcase
Photo by Arnel Hasanovic on Unsplash
Shades, shoes and clothing in pink suitcase 

Most women like to wear something different each day while traveling. But as discussed, you do not need an ensemble piece for every occasion. If you pack freely, you're going to lose room in your luggage, and you may have to check one of your bags and pay the cost.

Even if your trip lasts a week, stick to pieces that are of the same hue and that you can mix and match. The example again is the little black dress, which, as mentioned, you can wear at the airport and on your flight if you wish due to its potential comfort and versatility. You can dress it up with costume jewelry for special occasions, and for an informal look, you can wear the dress and cover up your upper body with an infinity scarf.