Fall Travel Day Outfits: What to Wear to the Airport

My rule for travel days is simple: if I cannot nap in it, I am not wearing it. Fall makes this easier, because layers let you handle a freezing gate and a stuffy plane with the same outfit.

It starts with the top. The ALAÏA oversized cotton sweatshirt in black is the one I would wear with leggings and a long coat, and The Frankie Shop Mirra sweatshirt in grey is the one for a day when you want to disappear into the crowd. The Les Tien zip-up hoodie in pink is for anyone who likes a little color at 6 AM.

You will walk more than you think, and you will take your shoes off at security. Slip-on feeling and clean lines win.

The Chloé Kick sneaker in leather and suede is the easy one to wear with everything, and the Toteme Flex leather sneaker in ivory looks calm with a dark coat. The Golden Goose Marathon is the louder pair, and the Dries Van Noten satin low-top in green is for anyone who wants the airport to see a little personality.

Planes are cold, then warm, then cold again. A thin cashmere layer on top of your tee is the answer, and it packs down to almost nothing.

The Max Mara cropped cashmere-wool sweater and The Row Poesis cashmere top are the clean, quiet ones, and the NILI LOTAN cable-knit in blue adds a bit of color. The By Malene Birger knit cape is the one if you want the layer to double as a blanket. What I would skip is anything scratchy, because you will notice it by hour three.

A crossbody keeps your passport and phone within reach and your hands free for the coffee. That alone makes the day better.

The Moncler Keoni quilted nylon bag is the practical pick, and the Khaite Blake in blue suede is the one that makes a sweatshirt outfit look planned. The Etro suede bag in burgundy and the ALAÏA Le Coeur are the more playful choices. Wear it across your body, never on one shoulder, and you will not think about it again.

Soft top, clean sneakers, one cozy layer and a bag you can forget about. Get that right and the rest of the trip feels easier.

If this is the kind of week you are dressing for, I would also read my notes on girls trip outfits, weekend errands outfits, cozy girl outfits and rainy day outfits.