Packing for a trip sounds easy until you actually have to decide what to bring! You want clothes that are comfy enough for a long travel day, don’t come out of your suitcase looking like a crumpled mess, and are cute enough that you feel good wearing them.
From wrinkle-resistant pants and easy dresses to lightweight layers and comfortable walking shoes, these are the best travel clothes for women that are highly rated and most popular. They make packing simpler, work for almost any itinerary, and help you feel comfortable and confident wherever your travels take you.
What Makes Clothing Good for Travel?
Not every cute outfit is a good travel outfit. I’ve made the mistake of packing things I thought I would wear, only to get there and realize they wrinkle terribly, aren’t comfortable enough for walking, or only work with one other thing in my suitcase.
The best clothes for travel are comfortable, lightweight, easy to care for, and versatile. I also look for fabrics with some stretch and pieces that don’t wrinkle easily. If something can be worn a couple of different ways, even better!
Here’s what I look for when I’m shopping for travel clothes:
- Wrinkle-resistant fabrics
- Stretch and comfort
- Lightweight, packable pieces
- Easy-care fabrics
- Neutral or coordinating colors
- Pieces you can dress up or down
- Pockets are always a bonus!
The Best Travel Clothes for Women in 2026
Best Travel Pants: Aritzia Lodge Pants
If there’s one thing worth investing in, it’s a great pair of travel pants. Chances are you’ll wear them more than anything else in your suitcase.
Have you tried the Aritzia Lodge Pants? They’re super popular, and they’re my favorite pants to travel in. They’re light, comfy, and relaxed, but still cute enough that I don’t feel like I’m wearing lounge pants through the airport.
They also come in so many colors! I love the neutrals for travel because they’re easy to mix and match with everything in my suitcase. Add a tee or pullover and a cute pair of sneakers, and you’re good to go. I wear mine on the plane, sightseeing, and just running around.
Best Wrinkle-Free Travel Pants: Chico’s Travelers No Tummy Pants
If you’ve followed Fabulous After 40 for a while, you already know how much I like Chico’s Travelers collection. These Chico’s Travelers No Tummy Pants were practically made for travel. They come out of the suitcase looking fresh, they’re comfortable to wear all day, and they come in both regular and tall lengths.
Best Travel Jeans: Talbots Slim Ankle Pull-On Travel Jeans
Yes, I travel in jeans, but they have to be the right jeans! I look for denim with some stretch that’s soft and comfortable instead of thick and stiff. The last thing you want is a waistband digging into you after sitting for hours. These Talbots Slim Ankle Pull-On Travel Jeans really check all the boxes for travel jeans. A medium or dark wash is usually my favorite because it doesn’t show every little mark and feels a bit dressier than a faded wash.
More Travel Pants I Love:
Best Travel Top: Talbots No-Iron Top
Who wants to pull out an iron on vacation? Not me! That’s why a no-iron shirt is such a great travel piece. Chico’s and Talbots both make some of my favorites. The No-Iron tops from Talbots stay crisp and fresh-looking, even after being tucked into a suitcase, and there are always lots of pretty colors and prints to choose from.
More Travel Tops to Try
Best Travel Dress: SPANX AirEssentials® Tie-Waist Midi Shirt Dress
There’s nothing easier than throwing on one dress and being ready to go. SPANX AirEssentials is one of those fabrics you have to feel to understand why everyone loves it! It’s incredibly soft, light, and stretchy, which makes this shirtdress a dream for travel. I also love the tie waist because it gives you some shape, and the midi length is so easy and comfortable. Best of all, it doesn’t take up much room in your suitcase and comes out looking fresh and ready to go.
More Travel Dresses I’m Loving:
The Best Layers for Travel
Weather has a funny way of surprising you, especially when you’re traveling.
Lightweight Cardigan
A cardigan is one of those pieces you’ll use far more than you expect. I usually keep mine in my tote while flying because airplanes are always freezing.
Denim Jacket
Every travel wardrobe needs one casual layer that works with dresses, skirts, and pants. A denim jacket is timeless, never feels too dressy, and instantly pulls an outfit together.
Lightweight Rain Jacket
Even if rain isn’t in the forecast, I almost always pack a rain jacket. It doubles as a windbreaker and takes up very little room in your suitcase.
Packable Puffer
For fall, winter, or mountain destinations, a lightweight puffer adds warmth without taking over your suitcase. I’d suggest looking at Lands’ End, Quince, or Amazon for one!
Best Wrinkle-Free Travel Clothes
The last thing I want to do on vacation is iron! That’s why I always look for wrinkle-resistant pieces that can go straight from my suitcase to sightseeing or dinner.
Chico’s Travelers Collection is one of my longtime favorites for pants, tops, jackets, and dresses that don’t wrinkle easily. Talbots Non-Iron Shirts are another great pick when you want something crisp and classic without packing an iron.
I also keep an eye out for words like wrinkle-resistant, non-iron, and easy-care when I’m shopping. Those are usually a good sign that something will travel well!
Best Fabrics for Travel
I’ve found that the fabric is just as important as the style. You can have the cutest outfit, but if it’s wrinkled by the time you unpack or feels uncomfortable after a day of sightseeing, you probably won’t wear it again. These are the fabrics I always look for when I’m shopping for travel clothes:
Tencel: Soft, lightweight, and one of my favorites because it drapes beautifully and doesn’t wrinkle as easily as linen.
Ponte Knit: This is my go-to for travel pants. It has plenty of stretch, keeps its shape, and looks just as nice at dinner as it does on the plane.
Cotton Blends: I love a classic cotton tee, but a blend with a little modal or spandex stays looking nicer and is usually more comfortable after a long day.
Merino Wool: Perfect for lightweight sweaters and layers. It keeps you warm when you need it but never feels bulky.
Linen: I still pack linen for warm-weather trips because nothing feels cooler. Yes, it wrinkles, but that’s part of its relaxed, vacation look. If wrinkles bother you, a linen blend is a great alternative.
Performance Fabrics: Some of my favorite travel pieces are made from modern performance fabrics that stretch, resist wrinkles, dry quickly, and are incredibly comfortable. They’ve come a long way from looking like workout clothes.
Best Walking Shoes for Travel: On Cloud 6 Sneakers
If I’m going to be walking all day, I want a sneaker that’s really comfortable, but I don’t want it to look like an orthopedic shoe! On Cloud 6 Sneakers hit that sweet spot. They’re lightweight, cushioned, and supportive, plus they have that cool, sporty look that’s so popular right now.
I’ve got even more stylish options in my guide to the most comfortable walking shoes for Europe.
Best Walking Sandals for Travel: NAOT Kayla Sandals
The NAOT Kayla Sandals prove that a serious walking sandal doesn’t have to look clunky! They’re light, supportive, and have a cushioned cork and latex footbed that gets even more comfortable as you wear them. I especially like the slim straps, which give them a much prettier, more feminine look than a lot of walking sandals.
Want a few more options? Take a peek at my favorite comfy walking sandals for travel.
More Travel Style Inspiration
Once you’ve got your travel wardrobe sorted, the rest of packing becomes so much easier.
If you’re planning your next trip, be sure to check out my guides to what to wear on a plane, the best travel bags for women, the most comfortable walking shoes for Europe, and what to pack for a European vacation. They’ll help you put together a travel wardrobe that’s comfortable, stylish, and ready for wherever your next adventure takes you.
