The ideal travel outfit, even when your journey is long haul
I don't mean smart as in Sunday best. It's not 1963. And I don't mean something you can go straight to a boardroom meeting in, either. It's not 1993.
I'm talking about simple tricks to look sleek. Coordinating colours (that includes shoes or trainers), strong contrasts (stripes, checks, simple graphic prints), some unfussy silver or gold jewellery for a finished look (nothing pricey, it's easily lost on-board), fabrics that look considered rather than just grabbed from your gym bag, and a tailored element you can pop on when you've arrived.
If those boxes are ticked, most of the outfit can be a blend of casual stretchy and loose. A simple 100 per cent organic cotton T-shirt is a good start (try navygrey.co), or something with an integral, non-wired bra that still offers support (M&S has options).
Athletics brands such as Vuori, Sweaty Betty and Alo Yoga have all branched into a category I'll call travel trousers, which are game-changers (yes, if you're flying business they'll give you PJs but they're generally nylon, which might be fine on your legs but not round your armpits).
I wore these Lululemons on a 23-hour flight to Sydney recently (including a three-hour stopover in Doha, where the Four Seasons-quality showers make all the difference). Lululemon also sells pleat fronts with stretchy waistbands. They're all as synthetic as Hollywood plastic surgery, but easy to wash, although mine have faded a bit.
High Sport, the OG of stretch trousers, has super- stylish cotton kick flares… for £680. Alternatively, Baujken's jogger-meets-smart in sustainable, Ecovero and Lenzing, worn with a blazer and the right shoes, would work for our smart-vibes matrix.
Cotton knits are cooler than wool and more straightforward to wash. Cardigans are easier to take on and off: for extra smartness, make it a cardigan jacket. If you're partial to a soft scarf (every micro luxury helps), Cornelia James's ultra-lightweight, 6ft- long shawls are heaven – and take up almost no space.
Speaking of which, a tote with a separate compartment for your laptop or iPad is ideal to safeguard it from liquids. Aspinal's London Tote has the internals just right. I pop my scarf, Kindle plus charger and potions in separate pouches in it so that I can keep essentials next to me without having to disturb my neighbour constantly by reaching into the overhead locker. Stow London has excellent clear travel accessories – pricey but durable.
Skincare supremo Keren Bartov recommends plenty of massaging with facial oil and repeat applications of moisturiser and hyaluronic acid, particularly on your neck. And SPF. Those rays at 35,000 feet are real. And boring as it is, drinking a minimum of 1.5 litres while on an eight-hour flight is transformative. Take your gua sha stone with you and use it for instant depuffing. No one will bat an eye at your on-board spa session, possibly because they're wearing a sheet mask. Final touch as you land? A swipe of bright lipstick or whatever your one desert island cosmetic is: previous 24 hours erased.
Your in-flight wardrobe...
Lisa wears: Jumper, from a selection, Sézane; Stretch high-rise pants, £108, Lululemon; Cashmere foulard, £165, & Daughter; Leather sandals, £225, Russell & Bromley; Sunglasses, £150, Cubitts; Enamel dipped earrings, £35, Whistles; Bonded canvas tote bag, £143 (down from £239) £239, Radley; Cabin suitcase, £310, Antler
Photography: Sarah Brick. Hair and make-up: Oonagh Connor at Joy Goodman using Cetaphil and Charlotte Tilbury. Styling: Sophie Tobin. Stylist's assistant: Hansveni Dave Shopping: Hansveni Dave
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- The Guardian
Last call: Melbourne airport ranked Australia's least convenient
Melbourne airport has been ranked Australia's least convenient, with Sydney coming in a close second-worst. Travel insurance company iSelect ranked Australia's 11 major airports on factors like cost of transport to and from the airport, parking and queue durations, then assigned each airport an overall 'convenience index' score. 'I live in Melbourne and I think Melbourne is one of the worst,' said iSelect's Sarah Grealy, who created the airport convenience index. 'The lack of transport to the airport is where it all initiated from.' Townsville and Canberra airport tied for first place, scoring 7.57, compared to Melbourne's 1.86. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Grealy said the ranking is based on five criteria: average cost of parking, average transport costs from the airport (public transport and taxi), distance from the city centre, number of daily passengers and queueing times. Grealy sourced data from each airport's annual reports and used consumer reviews from third-party website Airline Quality to quantify queueing times. Smaller airports generally scored higher due to shorter queueing times and closer proximity to their cities. Cairns and Darwin came in second and third respectively. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Sydney's airport had the most expensive average cost of parking, and long wait times with an overall score of 2.43. However, Melbourne airport's high average cost of parking and cost of public transport and taxis, combined with its distance from the CBD, solidified its place at the bottom of the list. A Melbourne airport spokesperson responded to the rating, saying: 'Melbourne airport is Australia's largest 24-hour airport and was intentionally built away from heavily built-up areas.' 'Melbourne airport offers a range of parking options, starting from just $12 a day, which is the cheapest of any capital city airport in Australia.' Public transport to and from the airport is the responsibility of the government, the spokesperson said. Grealy said her own frustration with Melbourne is mainly due to there being no train line. The privately owned SkyBus operates as the airport's main public transport provider.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aussie is refused flight into the US over huge error - and he claims it wasn't his fault: 'It ruined my holiday'
An Australian shared his disbelief after he was stopped from flying into the United States after customs officials falsely accused him of illegally living there for 14 years. Aaron Drooger had previously visited Hawaii back in 2011, before returning home to Lismore, in NSW. In April this year, he took a cruise ship to Vancouver, Canada, and attempted to then fly from Vancouver into the States. He was stopped from boarding his flight to Las Vegas at the airport, meaning he had to change his travel plans and book a direct flight to Brisbane. Immigration officers told Mr Drooger he had been staying illegally in the US for more than ten years and they could not allow him to return. Mr Drooger had visited Hawaii on an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) and believes his departure wasn't correctly logged, so it appeared he had been living in the United States for 4,000 days. 'All of these errors forced me to spend thousands of dollars extra and ruined my holiday,' he told Nine News. Despite having the appropriate evidence to prove he never overstayed his ESTA, he has yet to receive answers from US immigration. Several Aussies claim they have faced similar issues. Queensland couple Phil and Julie Lawton left the US on May 21. Weeks after they touched back down in Brisbane, they were bombarded with emails from US immigration officers. 'On the 10th of July, we got the first notice that we've got 19 days to leave the country,' Ms Lawton said. She said the emails were nearly filed as junk. The couple were made to jump through numerous hoops to try to convince officials they had actually left the US. They also contacted Home Affairs in Australia to try to confirm their record of return. As yet, the pair have been unsuccessful in their bid. Both Mr and Ms Lawton have been to the States about ten times, but doubt they will be able to go back. 'I have no confidence, and I don't think Julie has either, that unless we actually got written confirmation from US Border Protection they have made a mistake and we did leave the US on the 21st (of May), we could ever return to the US,' Mr Lawton said. The pair are still receiving regular communications warning them about their supposed visa breach. Travel insurers will rarely reimburse travellers for such problems, as they see the errors as avoidable visa issues. An immigration lawyer said the ESTA issue can affect non-citizens who try to re-enter the US. Sherwin Noorian said the various data sources which supply the system, including flight manifests, can occasionally fail. That failure can result in an 'overstay' being recorded against the travellers in question.
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I live in Australia and believe this place has the best standard of living in the country: 'The most perfect weather you can get'
Australians have named what they believe to be the places with the 'very best' standard of living in the country - and some of them may surprise you. While Sydney and Melbourne may offer more career opportunities and plentiful dining options, many Aussies are opting out of crowded commutes, soaring rent and a 'lack of community' in favour of areas further afield. From the whale-watching capital of the world to a Tasmanian city, these are the spots some claim to offer the best standard of living for those who value decent home and rental prices, great weather, culture and 'overall good vibes'. Hervey Bay, Queensland Population: 65,000 (2024) Known as the world's whale-watching capital, Hervey Bay sits on the Fraser Coast, just 3.5 hours north of Brisbane. Locals say its unspoilt coastline, peaceful charm and laid-back pace make it the perfect place to raise a family or enjoy a slower lifestyle. Residents rave about the area's kid-friendly beaches, short commutes ('it takes 15 minutes to cross town'), and property prices that are still lower than most metro areas - though they're steadily rising. Urangan, a sought-after suburb, was given a special mention for its proximity to the boat club, fishing spots and the historic pier. The region is also seeing steady development, including new retail precincts and a proposed Sheraton hotel. But those who move there say you have to 'embrace the calm'. 'This isn't where you go out. This is where you go 'out',' one resident wrote online, explaining that the lack of nightlife is replaced with dinners at home, outdoor adventures, and a closer connection to family and friends. 'Apparently Hervey Bay has the most perfect weather in Australia,' another ex-local wrote. 'Just the right summer temps, just the right winter temps and a good amount of annual rainfall. 'I have no source for that but I really have read that a couple of times and I can agree after living there for three years. I understand it's got the usual drug/crime problems now but really which towns don't have those problems these days.' Hobart, Tasmania Population: 56,000 (2025) According to locals, Hobart offers world-class scenery with the conveniences of a capital city and is great for those who love nature, crisp winters and a slower pace. Just minutes from its charming centre there are national parks, picturesque villages and views over the Derwent River that are 'absolutely world-class'. Hobart has an arty, nature-loving, slightly old-school English vibe, with friendly pubs, good food and a creative community. But there's a catch - jobs can be scarce, so it's ideal for those who can work remotely or already have a secure income. 'Tasmania is one of the most liveable places on earth if you make a good wage. I'd move there in a heartbeat,' one Reddit user wrote. 'It has fantastic access to nature, good food, amazing produce, wineries, cheaper rent, and is genuinely a great community,' another added. 'My partner and I moved here knowing no one and have both ended up in good jobs with a great lot of friends.' Capertee Valley, NSW Population: Around 130 (2021) A few hours from Sydney lies Australia's second-largest canyon - a vast, breathtaking landscape almost completely encircled by national parks. The Capertee Valley offers sandstone cliffs, abundant wildlife, and blocks of land so large (often over 50 acres) that neighbours are few and far between. Locals say it's an outdoor lover's paradise, with hiking, bird-watching, and complete seclusion. 'Capertee Valley ranks high for me. Incredible landscape and lifestyle a few hours from Sydney,' one said. The impressive Pantoneys Crown monolith is a 'must-climb', offering panoramic views of the dramatic escarpment. And while it feels remote, the valley is still within reach Mudgee, Bathurst and Lithgow - making it a sweet spot for those who want both peace and access to city centres. 'Other areas nearby [I'd recommend] are along the Turon River, and a beautiful valley system that runs east of Lake Wyndamere from Hayes Gap through Lue, Rylstone/Kandos and Dabee into the Capertee Valley at Mt Morgan,' another wrote. 'Wolgan Valley is also good, but has been cut off for a number of years by landslides. All these areas are well served with nearby major centres but Capertee Valley is at the top of my list.' What other places have the 'best standard of living' in Australia? Reddit users named a number of other places they'd either lived or desire to live due to 'high quality living': 1. Canberra, ACT Why? 'Very high salaries but has cheapish rent compared to other Australian cities and certainly compared to Sydney,' one wrote. 'It's definitely a specific vibe here, and for those that are into it Canberra is wonderful,' another said. 2. Townsville, QLD Why? 'I've lived in several capitals but living in Townsville was easy and unstressful,' one said. 'Second Townsville. Lovely city,' another wrote. 3. Perth, WA Why? 'Perth [has the] highest wages in the country and is still cheaper than most of the east coast. We have fantastic beaches that are never over crowded too,' one wrote. 'Perth is pretty great... closer to Asia, still relatively affordable, some of the best beaches in the world, perfect weather a majority of the year except for a few weeks,' another added. 4. Darwin, NT Why? 'Gonna shock some people when I say this. Darwin. I could afford to live alone, a block from the ocean, five minutes walk to a 50-metre public swimming pool with a reliable 17-minute driving commute to work,' one wrote. 'The only things that s*ck about Darwin are the expensive and long flights home, the weather and the real lack of good shopping. But if you can work around those you can have a great standard of living for a lot less than what you'd get in the big five.'
