What really gives me a headache before a trip isn’t deciding where to go, but figuring out what to wear on the day I leave.

The journey from the airport to the hotel may only take a few hours, but it is often one of the most challenging parts of the trip when it comes to getting dressed. I have to pull my suitcase through long airport corridors, sit on a plane, deal with chilly air conditioning and changing temperatures, and then head straight to the hotel to check in once I arrive.

That’s why I’m becoming less and less willing to sacrifice comfort just to “look good in photos.” For me, the ideal travel outfit should be comfortable enough to sit in on a plane, easy to walk around in, and polished enough that I can head straight to a café, restaurant or explore the area around my hotel after arriving. I also don’t want to look like I’ve just got up from the sofa at home.

Recently, while sorting through my travel wardrobe, I’ve been drawn to some of Bonmarché’s basics. Its womenswear range has plenty of T-shirts, wide-leg trousers, dresses and lightweight knitwear that work well for everyday travel, and many of the pieces are easy to mix and match.

Here are four of my favourite outfit combinations for going straight from the airport to the hotel.

01. Wide-Leg Trousers + a Simple Top: My Favourite Airport Outfit

If I could only choose one travel outfit, I’d probably go for wide-leg trousers with a simple short-sleeved top.

I especially like this combination because it doesn’t look overly styled, but it still feels more polished than wearing a full tracksuit. Bonmarché has plenty of wide-leg and lightweight trousers at the moment, and I particularly like styles with a little drape. The relaxed legs mean I don’t feel restricted when I’m sitting on a plane, and I’m not constantly adjusting my clothes during a long flight.

I usually choose wide-leg trousers in off-white, light khaki or black, then pair them with a short-sleeved top in white, cream or pale blue.

If the trousers are a lighter colour, I’ll choose a top with a little more detail, such as a textured top, striped top or simple short-sleeved shirt from Bonmarché. Its womenswear range has plenty of easy-to-style options like these, including textured styles, stripes and linen-blend tops.

The biggest feeling I get when I wear this outfit to the airport is, “Finally, I don’t have to suffer for the sake of looking good.”

I used to wear skinny jeans quite often when travelling. They looked neat when I first left home, but after sitting on a plane for several hours, I could really feel the discomfort around my waist and legs. Since switching to wide-leg trousers, I feel much more relaxed. Especially when I have a long walk through the airport, I don’t get that feeling of my clothes restricting my movement.

A few colour combinations I use most often:

• Off-white + pale blue
• Khaki + white
• Black + cream
• Navy + white

If I want the whole outfit to feel a little more travel-ready, I’ll add a brown or caramel bag and finish it with a clean pair of white trainers.

For me, this is what comfortable travel dressing looks like: comfortable on the plane, practical when I’m pulling my suitcase around, and easy enough to keep wearing once I reach the hotel.

02. T-Shirt + Midi Skirt: Straight from the Plane to Dinner

If my travel plans involve going straight to a restaurant or doing some sightseeing after checking into the hotel, I’ll swap the wide-leg trousers for a skirt.

I really like wearing skirts when I travel because they feel lighter than jeans without looking as casual as a full leisurewear outfit.

I usually choose a simple white or cream T-shirt and pair it with a midi skirt. Bonmarché’s womenswear range has plenty of basic T-shirts and skirts, as well as different styles such as printed skirts and knitted skirts.

If I want the whole outfit to feel lighter, I’ll choose a pale top with a blue, green or beige skirt.

If the destination itself has distinctive architecture, such as an old European town, I might go for a skirt with a subtle print and keep the top very simple.

I really like the idea of letting the top stay simple while the skirt becomes the main feature.

When I’m travelling, I don’t want to spend too much time thinking about what to wear. A simple T-shirt is already comfortable enough, while a skirt can instantly make the whole outfit feel a little more feminine.

The colour combinations I usually go for:

White T-shirt + blue skirt

This is one of the easiest colour combinations for me to wear when travelling.

If I don’t want to stick with blue and white, I might try:

Cream + olive green

Or:

Light grey + a soft print

I try not to wear very bold prints on both the top and skirt, because too many strong patterns can make travel photos look visually cluttered.

One of my favourite things about this outfit is that I barely need to change once I arrive at the hotel.

I can put my luggage down, grab a small bag and head out to find somewhere to eat. If it gets a little cooler, I’ll drape a lightweight cardigan over my shoulders.

Bonmarché’s knitwear range includes lightweight cardigans and short-sleeved knitted styles, which are really useful when I want the option of adding another layer while travelling.

That’s what makes this combination so comfortable for me: I don’t feel overdressed while sitting on the plane, but once I arrive, I also don’t look like I’ve just stepped off the aircraft.

03. Lightweight Top + Straight-Leg Trousers: A Practical Choice for Long Journeys

If I’m taking a longer journey, perhaps with a connecting flight, a train ride, or a long transfer from the airport to the hotel, I’ll choose something more practical, such as straight-leg trousers with a lightweight top.

I’ve found that the biggest advantage of straight-leg trousers is that they give me more freedom than skinny trousers while still looking neater than a very loose pair.

Bonmarché’s womenswear range includes straight-leg trousers, elasticated-waist trousers and jeans. Its Straight Leg Pull-On Elasticated Trousers are the kind of style I find particularly suitable for travelling.

I’ll usually pair them with a light-coloured short-sleeved top and add a lightweight layer that I can easily take off when I no longer need it.

If I want to look a little more polished, I’ll choose a shirt-style top. If I’m simply focused on getting from one place to another, I’ll go for a soft T-shirt or knitted top.

I tend to prefer neutral colours for this outfit:

Navy straight-leg trousers + a white top

Or:

Beige trousers + a pale blue top

If the colours feel too plain, I’ll add a colourful bag or scarf to give the outfit a little more interest.

I don’t recommend making a travel outfit too complicated with lots of different colours. Three main colours or fewer are usually enough for me.

This is the outfit I genuinely reach for when I know I’ll be doing a lot of travelling.

I can wear it on a plane, on a train and while pulling my suitcase around, and once I arrive at the hotel, I can still pop out to a supermarket, café or casual restaurant without feeling underdressed.

I especially like elasticated-waist trousers for travelling.

I tend to eat quite a lot when I’m on holiday, and I don’t want to spend the whole day thinking about whether my waistband feels too tight. Comfort really does have an impact on my mood when I travel.

A Few Simple Rules I Follow When Choosing Travel Outfits

After a few trips, I’ve realised that airport outfits don’t have to be as polished as possible. The real goal is to find a balance between feeling comfortable and still looking put together.

There are a few details I pay particular attention to now.

First, I look for pieces I can move in

I do a lot of walking when I travel, so I don’t choose extremely fitted clothes just to make myself look slimmer.

Wide-leg trousers, straight-leg trousers, midi skirts and slightly relaxed tops are all styles I tend to reach for.

Second, I keep the colours simple

I usually choose one main colour and balance it with white, beige or black.

This makes everything easier to mix and match, and it also means the clothes I pack can be worn in different combinations.

Third, I always bring a lightweight layer

I rarely travel wearing just one layer anymore.

The temperature at the airport, on the plane and at the hotel can be completely different, so I’ll usually carry a lightweight cardigan, shirt or knitted layer with me.

Bonmarché’s knitwear range works particularly well for creating these kinds of travel layers.

Fourth, comfort always comes first when it comes to shoes

I’ve definitely learnt this lesson the hard way.

A beautiful pair of shoes can look great in travel photos, but if my feet start hurting after a few hours of walking, my mood can change immediately.

So now I prioritise trainers, flats or comfortable shoes that I already know I can walk in.

I’m becoming more and more drawn to a very simple way of dressing for travel: looking like I’ve made an effort without feeling any pressure from what I’m wearing.

The journey from the airport to the hotel is only one small part of a trip, but when I’m comfortable during those first few hours, I feel like the whole journey gets off to a much easier start.

Good travel outfits aren’t about proving how many beautiful clothes I’ve packed. They’re about being able to walk into the airport, sit on the plane, pull my suitcase through the arrivals hall and reach the hotel while still feeling good about how I look.

That’s also what I like about Bonmarché. T-shirts, trousers, skirts and lightweight knitwear are all relatively easy to mix and match, so I can adjust my outfits depending on my travel plans without having to pack a huge number of clothes.