Travel Products Style Apparel The Best Travel Clothes and Accessories for Women of 2023 From dresses to sweats to sandals, don’t miss these travel staples. By Rena Behar Rena Behar Rena Behar is a freelance journalist and editor focusing on tech, travel, and gender. She has contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 27, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T + L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa You’ve booked your ticket, made your restaurant reservations, now it’s finally time to pack for your big trip. While we’re sure you’ll have a lovely time no matter what you’re wearing, the best travel clothes and accessories can help make that long-awaited adventure go just a little more smoothly, (and make you look that much better in your photos afterward). When it comes to a travel wardrobe, we favor versatile, easy-to-pack pieces you can wear all day, without having to sacrifice valuable exploring time for an outfit change. Here are some of our favorites, from cashmere sweaters to comfortable sneakers and everything in between. Our Top Picks Best Dress: Quince Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress at Onequince.com Jump to Review Best Tank Top: Everlane Pima Micro-Rib Funnel-Neck Tank at Everlane.com Jump to Review Best Long-sleeve Shirt: Ibex Women's Travel Henley Long Sleeve at Ibex.com Jump to Review Best Sweater: Naadam The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater at Naadam.co Jump to Review Best Jacket: Athleta Mendocino Coat at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Leggings: Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Leggings at Bloomingdales Jump to Review Best Jeans: Aviator Best Travel Jeans Slim Straight at Aviatorusa.com Jump to Review Best Joggers: Duer Live Free High Rise Jogger at Shopduer.com Jump to Review Best Sweats: Aether W Foundation Hoodie at Aetherapparel.com Jump to Review Best Pajamas: Lunya Silk Tee Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Dress Quince Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress Quince View On Onequince.com Why We Love It This dress is soft, flattering, affordable, and responsibly made. What to Consider It may be a bit on the low-cut side for some builds, and we wish it came in a few more colors. Our pick for the best travel dress from Quince does everything you need a dress to do and then some. The Tencel material is super soft and light, as well as sustainably made. The skirt is long enough to comfortably sit down on the train and let you into religious sites without concern, and is accented with two side-seam pockets for smaller items. Meanwhile, the fitted top is both flattering and easy to layer, and provides a nice level of shape to the cut. In addition to environmentally friendly materials and Global Recycle Standard-certified yarn, it’s also made in Sedex-certified factories that aim to improve working conditions. It’s also affordable enough that you won’t stress out about packing it, and machine washable for easy cleaning. Price at time of publish: $40 Best Tank Top Everlane Pima Micro-Rib Funnel-Neck Tank Everlane View On Everlane.com Why We Love It It’s the perfect under-layer while also being solid enough to stand on its own. What to Consider We wish it came in more colors. Everlane won our top tank top pick with this distinctive high-neck style that can be dressed up or down. The fine ribbed cotton combines with 5 percent elastane for just the right fit without being too tight, and the neckline works perfectly for everything from cut-off shorts to a blazer. It’s also thick enough to maintain its shape and avoid being see-through, and can easily be thrown in the washer and dryer. Plus it boasts Everlane’s usual responsible production. The tank comes in a few neutral shades, and sizes from XXS to XL. While we would have appreciated a few more color options, still, it’s hard to beat a basic. Price at time of publish: $40 Best Long-sleeve Shirt Ibex Women's Travel Henley Long Sleeve Ibex View On Ibex.com Why We Love It This simple shirt is a versatile classic. What to Consider It’s a little pricey. For frequent travelers, it’s hard not to fill your entire wardrobe with merino wool – a naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant material – especially when you’re on the road and really don’t want to have to do laundry. The seven snaps on this classic henley build let you stay as buttoned-up or risque as you please while adding some visual interest, and it’s just fitted enough to be flattering without being clingy. The smooth finish of the fabric and flatlock seams keep you comfortable, there are five colors available, and it can even be machine-washed (though it needs to line dry). Price at time of publish: $135 The 10 Best Travel T-shirts of 2023 Best Sweater Naadam The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater Naadam View On Naadam.co Why We Love It This sweater pairs quality with affordability and a wide range of sizes and colors. What to Consider The sleeves are designed to run short, and you may need to do some occasional maintenance against pilling. We love this Naadam sweater for its low price and high quality, paired with an extensive range of colors and sizes. Right now there are 23 colors available, with nine core neutrals and a rotating set of limited edition seasonal shades, and it comes in sizes ranging from XXS to XXL. The sweater is made from 100 percent Mongolian cashmere so it will stay soft against your skin. The sleeves are designed to run short for easier layering, though taller shoppers may find this a bit annoying. And like all cashmere, it tends to be a bit high-maintenance, but we think it’s worth the tradeoff. Price at time of publish: $75 Best Jacket Athleta Mendocino Coat Athleta View On Gap.com Why We Love It This down-alternative jacket resists wind and rain while still being machine washable. What to Consider The fit runs boxy. There’s no doubt you’ll need at least one versatile jacket while you’re on the road, and our best packable jacket pick can be just that. Inside, a Primaloft Eco insulation is a synthetic and sustainable alternative to down. On the outside, an internal drawcord and external belt help create a more flattering silhouette (though it does tend to run a bit on the boxy side). The side pockets zip up for easy access to your phone or keys. It’s also wind-resistant and water-repellent, and can be machine washed and dried. It comes in two colors and sizes ranging from XXS to 3X, so everyone should be able to find a good fit. Price at time of publish: $229 Best Leggings Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Leggings Girlfriend Collective View On Bloomingdales View On Girlfriend.com Why We Love It These leggings have a great size range, solid construction, and use recycled materials. What to Consider They’re machine washable, but don’t put them in the dryer. These super popular leggings made it onto our list of the best yoga pants for travel, but we’re confident you’ll be able to find just as many uses for them on the road as in the studio. Choose between two inseam lengths, a roster of colors (five essentials and a rotating list of limited seasonal options), and an impressive size range from XXS to 6XL. They’ve got a high rise and sturdy construction for long days walking around, as well as sweat-wicking fabric that won’t go sheer no matter how much bending and stretching you do. Best of all, these are made from recycled plastic bottles. You’ll also get three total pockets – two deeper ones on the sides to fit most phones, and a hidden one in the back for your keys and cards to keep you hands free while you explore. Price at time of publish: $88 The Best 16 Jean Jackets of 2023 Best Jeans Aviator Best Travel Jeans Slim Straight Aviator View On Aviatorusa.com Why We Love It These look like your favorite pair of jeans, but include extra stretch and secret pockets. What to Consider Because of the spandex, the fabric is a bit thinner than other jeans. While jeans aren’t always great travel pants, these ones are made of a blend of cotton, rayon, polyester, and spandex that makes them softer, more foldable, and better at retaining their shape for longer (no sagging to be found in between washes). But what really distinguishes Aviator jeans is the pockets. All four are extremely deep (personally, I can fit my hand and about 2 to 3 inches of my wrist and forearm inside), and the back pockets include a stealthy zippered compartment perfect for cash or cards. Aviator’s jeans also come in skinny, boyfriend, and flare styles and multiple washes. Sizing is done by waist measurement and goes from 24 to 36; all jeans come with a 34-inch inseam, but they’ll hem them for free if you ask (though that does make the pants non-returnable). Price at time of publish: $145 Best Joggers Duer Live Free High Rise Jogger Duer View On Shopduer.com Why We Love It These stretchy, soft joggers can be worn nearly anywhere. What to Consider Every size has the same inseam length. A good pair of joggers will take you from the plane or train to dinner without anyone batting an eye. Duer’s comfortable joggers can do that and more, with a high rise, slim leg, and narrow cuff that won’t look out of place no matter where you’re going. They’re made of a soft blend of cotton and Tencel lyocell, with less than 10 percent polyester and spandex, so they’re naturally odor-neutralizing and moisture-resistant (and can, of course, be both machine washed and tumble dried). All of the joggers come in a cropped 28-inch inseam, with waist sizes available from 24 to 34, and there are six colors available whether you’re more of a basic black or light blue “beach glass” traveler. Price at time of publish: $129 Best Sweats Aether W Foundation Hoodie Aether View On Aetherapparel.com Why We Love It These sweats will keep you comfortable but still looking put-together. What to Consider There aren’t a lot of colors available, and they’re on the expensive side. Sometimes when you’re traveling you simply want to take a break and be cozy. Enter the Aether set, one of our favorite matching sets for travel. You’ll be plenty comfortable in the French terry fabric, but touches like raglan sleeves and coverstitched seams keep you from looking frumpy. Match the hoodie with either the cropped sweatpants or shorts, which are both made from the same soft French terry cotton and feature a ribbed waistband and flat, braided drawcord with leather tips for that little extra touch. Bonus: all of Aether’s products come with a lifetime guarantee. Price at time of publish: Hoodie $195, shorts $135, pants $195 The 18 Best Travel Pants for Women of 2023 Best Pajamas Lunya Washable Silk Tee Set 4.5 Lunya View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales Why We Love It These are smooth, stylish, and can be machine washed. What to Consider They still need to be hang dried, even if you machine wash them. Everyone seems to be into Lunya’s silk pajamas, and it’s always nice to have that bedtime touch of luxe after a long travel day – especially when it’s still machine washable. Silk is naturally thermoregulating, so you’ll maintain your perfect temperature no matter no matter your accommodation, while still feeling smooth and soft. Sizes range from XS to 2X, and Lunya’s got five colors in its standard lineup, plus rotating limited editions and even the occasional designer collab, all made with Bluesign-approved dyes. If you prefer pants, there’s a tee and pants set available as well. Price at time of publish: $198 Summersault Sidestroke Summersalt The Sidestroke 4.3 Summersalt View On Amazon View On QVC View On Summersalt.com Why We Love It This suit is super flattering and comes in a wide range of colors and sizes. What to Consider The bust doesn’t have any cups or padding, but should still provide plenty of support. We can’t get enough of T+L’s top pick for the best swimsuit, the popular Sidestroke. Its one-shoulder design keeps things fun, especially with the help of a back cut-out, but it’s cut high enough that you won’t need to worry about spilling out. There’s also plenty of compression built-in to help keep everything nice and smooth, and you can choose from tricolor panel stripe styles or solid colors. There’s even a variation of the style for shoppers with long torsos, and sizes range from 0 to 24 so you can find a suitable fit, with options beyond the standard lettered sizing. Price at time of publish: $95 Best Compression Socks Vim and Vigor Nylon 15-20 mmHg Compression Socks Amazon View On Amazon View On Vimvigr.com Why We Love It These come in a wide variety of fabric options, patterns, and compressions. What to Consider Merino may run warm; go for a different fabric if you’re prone to sweating. While you may just think of them as a solution for long flights (which they are), compression socks are also great for spending prolonged periods of time on your feet. But rather than feeling like a medical device, Vim & Vigr offers a wide variety of fun patterns, as well as styles in cotton, nylon, a specific moisture-wicking nylon, and merino. Plus, these come in both compression levels of 15-20 and 20-30 mmHg, so you can customize your preferred fabric and compression level. We especially love the breathable and naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant merino, though it does run on the warmer side; go for cotton or the wicking nylon instead if you’re prone to sweating. Price at time of publish: $38 Best Sneakers Adidas Women's Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoes 4.5 adidas View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Zappos Why We Love It These are surprisingly affordable and absurdly comfortable. What to Consider They’re a bit challenging to dress up. Our editors put a series of walking shoes to the test, and the Adidas Cloudfoams emerged the victor. Our tester wrote that these shoes felt like walking on a cloud, even if they never even wore socks with them, (and you may not need to either, thanks to the memory foam “sockliner”). They come in sizes from 5 to 11 and 18 different colors, so there’s a pair to blend in with any travel wardrobe. The upper also includes 50 percent recycled content, and has a stretchy feel to make your feet feel cradled even as you circuit your third museum of the day. Price at time of publish: $60 Best Sandals Teva Midform Universal Sandal Zappos View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Nordstrom Why We Love It The slight platform elevates this classic, comfortable sandal. What to Consider The size range is a bit limited and doesn’t include half sizes. These simple, super comfortable sandals have hit the mainstream and don’t seem to be going back. The Midform Universal has that classic Teva strap construction, plus a slight level of elevation for just a little extra edge. They’re also made from 100 percent recycled plastic, and are light, comfortable, and supportive no matter how long you walk for, thanks to a cushioned foam midsole and durable rubber outsole. They’ll also dry quickly if you get caught in any storms or river crossings and be no worse for wear, and come in plenty of colors. There are also leather and canvas styles available if you want a slightly different finish. Price at time of publish: $65 The Best Wrinkle-resistant Clothing Pieces for Travel of 2023 Best Handbag Travelon Addison Anti-Theft Small Crossbody Bag Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It This crossbody is just the right size for all your things and offers a slew of anti-theft features. What to Consider It’s not as fashion-forward as some other handbags, and the colors are a bit limited. A cross-body bag is the best style for travel because it keeps your hands free and your bag harder to grab off your shoulder. And while you’re considering anti-theft features, you may as well go all the way with one of Travelon’s anti-theft bags, which boast a host of safety accessories. There are three zippered compartments: a large main compartment, small front compartment, and thinner but full-sized back compartment. There are also plenty of organizational features within the main compartment, which is large enough to hold a standard Kindle Paperwhite. The shoulder strap is adjustable and made with a slash-resistant mesh barrier, while the zippers all lock onto the main bag and some of the internal pockets are even RFID-blocking. Price at time of publish: $70 Tips for Buying Women's Travel Clothes and Accessories Look for wrinkle-resistant materials The last thing you want to do in a hotel room is fiddle with the iron, and no one looks their freshest straight off an airplane. Avoid creating extra work for yourself and look for materials that won’t wrinkle, like wool, denim, or rayon. Anything labeled a “knit” is also less likely to wrinkle. Consider packability Thicker materials will naturally take up more room in your suitcase, as will certain styles, (jumpsuits are notorious space hogs). Look for clothing that folds or rolls easily and is made from flexible, softer fabrics. Prioritize versatility You’ve only got so much suitcase space. Rather than going for seven different outfits, why not pack simple tops and bottoms you can mix and match? And by choosing outfits that can easily switch between locations (like a dress you can wear both sightseeing and out to dinner), you’ll save time by not having to go back to your hotel to change between venues. Frequently Asked Questions How should I fold clothes for travel? There are two main schools of thought when it comes to packing styles: folding and rolling. When it comes down to it, there isn’t a huge difference between the two. Feel free to alternate; some items of clothing work best with one or the other, but you won’t know until you’ve tried it. What is the best outfit to wear when traveling? While it seems obvious, the best travel outfit will be something that you like and feel comfortable in. Generally, we prefer darker colors (less likely to show stains or look dingy at the end of a long day); soft, natural fabrics like merino wool that can temperature-regulate and resist odor; and an unstructured style so it doesn’t start digging into you if you start to puff up on a long flight or have to squeeze into a small seat. How do I pack larger items like shoes? It depends on your suitcase, but generally, put them in first. You can stash smaller items of clothing inside your shoes, like socks and underwear. Then, put your shoes in shoe bags (or consider using a hotel room shower cap) if you’re worried about damaging your shoes or getting dirt on the rest of your suitcase. From there, either line them up with the edges of your suitcase or put them in a separate dedicated compartment and build around them. Chunkier clothing items like jackets, meanwhile, should go in last or be carried or worn. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this story, T+L contributor Rena Behar utilized her extensive experience as both a traveler and gear tester to find the best travel clothes and accessories for women to shop right now. She pored through countless consumer reviews to find the best picks for every type of trip. The 13 Best Sunglasses for Travel of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit