The 11 Best Travel Clothes for Women
When we’re traveling for weeks or months at a time, ideally we’d pack clothes that look good and perform well, too. Fortunately, there’s a growing number of options for travel clothes that are functional, fashionable, and even sustainable in nature, so we can comfortably travel the planet while doing our part to protect it at the same time.
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11 best travel clothes for women in 2024
The best travel clothes look cute on camera (hello, Instagram!), but also use quality fabrics that won’t wrinkle, pill, or take a lifetime to dry. The following items fit this bill and more; read on to discover our top 11 picks for travel pieces that are high-performing *and* picture-worthy.
1. Best pants for travel: Outdoor Voices Rectrek Pants
The Rectrek is quite possibly OV’s most versatile pant and one of the best pants for travel. This design has a slightly cropped fit, and is made from a stretchy, elements-resistant fabric for added comfort and mobility. Wear these pants to a yin yoga class, a picnic in the park, or while getting lost in a foreign city.
Price: Starting at $98
2. Best jumpsuit for travel: Athleta Balance Jumpsuit
This jumpsuit from Athleta is a cult favorite. The lightweight french terry travel fabric is incredibly soft on the skin, making it the perfect outfit for a long flight or afternoon spent exploring a new town. The adjustable bungee cords on the waist also make it easy to customize and fit to your exact body type.
Price: Starting at $98
3. Best basic tee for travel: Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Tee
There’s something really classic and wonderful about a cotton tee, which is exactly why you should always put one in your travel bag. The Cotton V-Neck from Madewell is an updated version of their best-selling tee, now with a removed pocket and smoother fit. Made from light and airy slub cotton (part of the company’s Better Cotton Initiative), this T-shirt is exceptionally soft and perfectly draped, and one you’ll want to live in day after day.
Price: Starting at $19.50
4. Best baselayer for travel: Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Top
Baselayers are great for travel, because they help regulate your body temperature to keep you cool in hot conditions and warm in colder climates. Smartwool’s Base Layer Crew is made from 100% Merino wool, and offers incredible warmth, moisture-wicking abilities, and even enhanced odor resistance. This fan-favorite comes in a variety of colors and sizes, and is guaranteed to help you stay comfortable on all of your upcoming excursions.
Price: Starting at $100
5. Best jacket for travel: Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Hoodie
When you need a quality jacket to add to your travel wardrobe, Patagonia literally has you covered. Their Nano Puff Hoodie is made from a bluesign-approved™ recycled polyester, and has a water repellent finish that protects against unwanted moisture. Did we mention this highly-compressible hoodie weighs less than eleven ounces, and can be folded into a small pouch to save some major space in your suitcase? We love to see it!
Price: Starting at $249
6. Best swimsuit for travel: Summersalt Perfect Wrap One-Piece
Packing a swimsuit is sometimes a ‘must have,’ and other times more of a ‘just in case’ — but either way, you’re smart to always bring one along. Summersalt’s suits are made out of recycled materials and shipped in reusable bags, which makes them a fashionable and sustainable purchase you can feel good about. The Perfect Wrap One-Piece is universally-flattering, and its added compression means everything stays securely in place as you *dive* into adventure.
Price: Starting at $95
7. Best denim for travel: prAna Buxton Jean
Shopping for jeans can get pretty tricky, especially if you’re looking for a great pair to travel with. Luckily, prAna’s Buxton Jean checks a lot of boxes in this department. Their slim boyfriend fit and five-pocket styling makes them look contemporary and feel comfortable, too. These jeans start with organic cotton, and then add a bit of polyester and Lycra® to the mix for superior stretch and durability no matter where your day leads.
Price: Starting at $119
8. Best leggings for travel: Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Pocket Legging
Leggings are a travel staple, and few brands do leggings better than Girlfriend Collective. This compressive, squat-proof, high-rise style also has double pockets to boot — meaning you won’t have to look far to stash your phone or keys. And if you need even more reason to love these leggings, they come in an awesome range of sizes (XXS to 6XL), and are made from recycled water bottles; each pair diverts 25 water bottles from being thrown into the landfill!
Price: Starting at $88
9. Best underwear for travel: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Brief
If you’re looking for a great pair of breathable underwear to take with you on travels, look no further than ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go Bikini Brief. This breathable, quick-drying underwear has an antimicrobial treatment that helps reduce order and keep you feeling fresher, longer. What’s more, the lightweight mesh fabric supplies airflow to keep you cool, and the flatlock seams and wide waistband help to limit chafing and retain their shape for continued wear.
Price: Starting at $18
10. Best walking shoes for travel: Allbirds Tree Runner
Allbirds Tree Runners have a silky smooth, pleasantly cool upper, thanks to their proprietary knit made from responsibly-sourced eucalyptus fibers. In addition, the midsole offers amazing contour and bounce, since it’s been designed with Brazilian sugarcane SweetFoam™ (the world’s first carbon-negative EVA). And we can’t forget to mention that the laces are made from post-consumer recycled polyester, making this a totally sustainable, ultra-comfortable kick!
Price: Starting at $105
11. Best purse for travel: Arden Cove Crossbody
This purse from Arden Cove is one of our favorite items on our list — and if you’re in the mood to splurge, it might be a great fit for you. The highlights of this design include: waterproof materials, RFID-blocking card holders, locking zippers, slash-proof lining, and a cut-resistant (and detachable) shoulder strap that gives you a touch more versatility.
Price: Starting at $149
Read our full review of Arden Cove’s Crissy Full Crossbody here.
Travel Clothing FAQs
What are the best travel clothing brands?
When you’re in the market for travel clothing with both technical components and stylish details, there’s a handful of great brands to choose from. Look to Allbirds for comfortable shoes, Everlane for premium basics, and Patagonia for all your adventure-ready items.
What should you wear to the airport?
As you’re getting ready to head to the airport, put on something comfortable enough to wear for long hours in-flight, but that’ll still look good once you reach your destination. Go for a fun jumpsuit with tons of stretch and an aversion to wrinkles, and then throw on a nice pair of walking shoes to complete this easy, breezy outfit.
What travel clothing do I really need?
If you’re starting a travel wardrobe from scratch, you might be wondering what pieces you really need versus which you can wait on. A few essentials include a dress or jumpsuit you can layer and wear year round, a breathable base layer and lightweight jacket, a pair of durable leggings for active outings, and some comfortable sneakers or sandals to roam around in.