First up, this isn’t about the latest airport fashion to be seen in, it’s about comfort and convenience on your travels through the airport and onto the plane, in my own opinion. Further down I will share what I wear and take with me. Although male, I mention standard clothing and items that apply to anyone.

Ultimately the most comfortable airport outfits are wearing whatever you feel comfortable in, and not wearing something to please other people. I have read online comments like, “ I was disgusted at seeing what some people wear these days “. Well, my answer to that is, you go ring your therapist if the sight was that traumatic for you, and the rest of us will relax in comfort at the airport.

While people watching is a harmless airport pass time, and some may laugh to themselves if you’re donning some crazy gear, they along with 99 percent of others don’t care what you are wearing at the airport.

Although the state and cleanliness of your airport outfit should matter to an extent. I mean, don’t have yesterday’s bacon and egg all down your front, holes under your t shirt armpit, shoes covered in dog mess, or your clothes are unwashed for 3 months. kind of contradict myself on the wear what you want theme, but I hope everyone agrees with this.

So, what to wear at the airport? Basically whatever you want and feel comfortable in, as long as it’s clean, smells good, and not falling apart at the seams.

Then there’s the convenience aspect of your airport attire. Again it’s about you, if it’s convenient for you, it’s convenient. Just ask yourself these few questions:

• Is it easy to remove? Shedding a layer or going to the toilet etc
• Can I carry/ store it easily?
• Does it answer your needs for changes in weather and temperature conditions?

What I wear when traveling will depend on factors such as, where I am in the world, length of journey, layovers, luggage situation, etc.

But ultimately I find the humble tracksuit/ sweatsuit to be a very comfortable airport outfit. Mostly on a long haul trip where I have checked in baggage.

If I wear jeans it’s for convenience, usually in the packing department. With carry on bags overloaded, it’s easier to wear jeans than pack them. This is usually on short distance flights and I still find them comfortable enough.

Same for footwear, athletic shoes are king for comfort. But for short haul and carry on only luggage, they may be easier to pack than other footwear.

When these situations occur and I don’t wear a tracksuit, my go to item is a microfleece. Warm and doesn’t take up too much space. Ticks both boxes in terms of convenience and comfort.

If traveling from different climates a few times in one trip, I will take a foldable or packaway jacket. Perfect to have in your possession when going from a warm to cold climate.

The most comfortable airport outfit, the tracksuit/ sweatsuit.

Loose fitting, soft materials, lightweight, and warm is what make this the perfect travel attire. Also very stylish and easy to pack. Gone are the days when you wouldn’t be deemed well dressed wearing one of these. Now they are available in all sorts of styles and ranges, from classic sports to high end fashion. As they are more common nowadays, a smart tracksuit shouldn’t prevent you from accessing a lounge or even first class, you only have to look on social media to see celebrities and sports stars rock up at the airport in the latest sweatsuit.

Have a small flight bag.

Quick tip, the pockets will vary in size, and whether they have a zipper in your sweatsuit. So for more comfort, and to prevent things from falling out, I recommend taking a small bag to act as your pockets, could be a handbag, shoulder bag, messenger bag, or whatever takes your fancy. It’s also handy for keeping your passport and other travel docs close by, and you can keep it with you at all times, even on the plane. I always have a small shoulder bag when traveling, and have done so for years.

Bring convenience, bring a micro fleece.

A microfleece is the thinnest and lightest of fleeces and is more than warm enough for the airport or plane. What makes it so convenient is when it’s rolled up, it won’t take up a huge amount of space in your bag. Also handy to keep in your bag when traveling to more tropical climates. You won’t need it when outside, however, inside and in vehicles where the air con is at max, it will help keep the edge off.

Pack up a jacket.

A pack up jacket is a lightweight jacket that you can store in a small drawstring bag. As said before this airport outfit is ideal if hopping between different climates, so will save you the hassle of dragging around a large cumbersome coat. You can also clip it to your travel bag, so even if that’s full up, you’ll still be hands free. And it’s not going to take up much room on the plane. Rather than squeeze your coat into the dirty overhead bin, or drape it over yourself and everyone sitting near you, it will fit nicely in the overhead bin or under your seat.

A last airport travel tip from me to finish this off. Before I had a pack up jacket, and would be leaving a cold winter to head off to sunnier climes, I would take an old coat or jacket. This would be one that’s had its day and ready to be thrown out. It would be an old one of my own or a family member’s. Not wanting to lug around a big coat I won’t be wearing in sweltering heat, I’d wear it it on my journey to the airport. Once there I would leave it, now don’t shoot me for this, I know it seems like a waste, but It’s a final outing for the coat, and if whoever finds it deems it still wearable, then it’s theirs.

If you don’t have an old coat you could always try a charity shop or even eBay, to see if you can get a one wear coat for next to nothing.

I find it annoying that airports in climates with cold winters don’t have a coat storage facility. JFK Airport, Toronto Pearson International, Incheon International, and Frankfurt Airport do, and maybe a few others I don’t know about. But that’s about it. I think it would be convenient for passengers if this was more of a thing. Maybe even a swap facility for old coats, or even let charity shops set up at arrivals? Sort it out airports.

Hopefully, this will give you an idea of what to wear at the airport, if you’re thinking of it in terms of convenient and comfortable airport outfits. Also remember the first thing I said in the article, ultimately wear what makes you happy and comfortable, then you are happy and comfortable, ready for the journey ahead.