There’s a craft to the travel outfit. It should be comfortable, that goes without saying, but it also need to fulfill a host of other requirements: no single-wear items, fabrics that are able to meet a Goldilocksian standard of temperatures, and pieces that balance form and function. (When it comes to dealing with red-eyes, we’re of the look-good-feel-good school of psychological trickery.) While the best sweaters and shoes to wear on flights are relative no-brainers, travel pants are a different story. Restrictive waistbands and finicky fabrics really cut down your options—so we set out to find some solutions.
Vogue’s Favorite Travel Pants:
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Turns out, the best travel pants are those that aren’t recognizable as such. From wide-leg linen options that’ll double as your beach cover-up to colorful pull-on pants you can style a myriad ways, our findings would be worth a spot in your carry-on even if you didn’t need them for the trip itself. (Though if old habits die hard, you can by all means can lean into full loungewear; we found some elevated options too.) This edit is suited for a range of transit options: Those traveling by boat or shorter-stint train rides have a little more flexibility than, say, someone stuck in an airplane cabin for 10 hours.
Ahead, shop the 24 best travel pants for every style and destination.
The Linen Ones
If you’re traveling in the summer, opting for linen is a no-brainer. Wear yours with a cozy knit on the plane, then swap in silky blouses, baby tees, and even swimwear for the top once you arrive. Color-wise, a neutral will give you the most mileage out of your travel capsule wardrobe—J. Crew and Cos’s black and navy linen pants are classic options, though we’re also loving Beyond Yoga’s pull-on pair done in a rich espresso hue.
