I'm a Plus-size Travel Writer, and These Are the 10 Budget-friendly Clothes I Pack on Every Trip—From $9

Travel + Leisure

11-05-2025

Having the right travel outfit is essential; no matter what type of trip you're taking or where your destination is, it's important to pack a wardrobe that's comfortable, fun to wear, suitable for the weather, and flattering to enhance your confidence.
After much trial and error as a plus-size travel writer who is often on the go, I discovered some great pieces from Amazon's fashion hub that are just right for traveling in the spring and summer. From a striped summer dress to pull-on travel pants, these are the versatile travel plus-size clothing essentials I find myself packing again and again. No matter where your summer travels are going to take you, you can't go wrong with these must-have pieces.
These eye-catching pants are flowy and dressy. With an elastic high waist and drawstring, they always fit just right, and they have a loose, wide-leg design. Pair them with a crop top to create a summery, casual style. Alternatively, wear them with a solid, black button-down shirt for a business lunch or dinner. And, perhaps best of all, they have pockets to hold your essentials to go hands-free at the airport.
With its lace, scooped neck, this striking tank top is casual with pizzazz. I love its loose, flattering fit and breathable, soft fabric; it's perfect to wear traveling on a hot summer day. If you love to layer, it makes a great bottom layer under a cardigan or jean jacket if it's on the chillier side. This shirt is elegant and will elevate any look, pairing well with shorts, jeans, or capri pants.
I love matching sets because they work as one outfit or can be mixed and matched. This matching set is available in neutrals like black, khaki, and apricot, plus bold colors like hot pink and royal blue to suit any style. It's extremely comfortable with its lightweight material and four-way stretch. The short-sleeve, crewneck top is loose, and the pull-on pants are comfortable and have pockets. It's great to wear on flights, but it's so comfortable you might want to also wear the set as pajamas.
A jean jacket is just right for the summer. You never know when temperatures might dip, especially at night, and this denim jacket can offer just enough warmth to keep you comfortable on cooler evenings. It has a collared neckline and a button-up front, plus decorative front pockets and fully functional side pockets. In addition to the traditional denim hue, this jacket also comes in fun colors like pink and purple. It can make a fashion statement in other ways: I decorate mine with pins that have different messages and images on them.
Sometimes a comfy jumper is the best choice for a day of sightseeing or just relaxing at the hotel (one of my favorite travel activities). This overall-style jumpsuit looks cute and is flattering to all. Because it's made of polyester, it doesn't wrinkle easily, so you can just throw it in your suitcase and take it out when you arrive without worrying about ironing. I love that it comes with so many different color options and patterns to suit any style.
There's a great sale on this Hanes shirt that's one of my favorite tops to wear when flying. Although I enjoy dressing up and wearing sparkles casually, I want to keep things simple and optimally comfortable when I'm flying. Made of 100 percent cotton and available in five simple colors, it's a comfortable, casual shirt I can wear anywhere. This shirt pairs well with leggings or jeans on travel days, or you can dress it up with a blazer or a skirt.
Whether I'm going on a short or long trip, a comfortable pair of jeans always makes its way into my suitcase. These Levi jeans have been top on my list lately—they have stretch for comfort and are easy to pack without getting wrinkled. They fit so well that I feel more confident when I wear them. And at just $25, they're a total steal; grab them in another huge like sage green or a darker blue wash.
I try to always have a wrap with me when I fly, especially if I'm wearing short sleeves. For me, a shawl is an essential part of layering during the warmer months of the year because it's so easy to take on and off. This wrap resists wrinkles, so sometimes I just throw it in my backpack if I'm on a flight and realize I don't need it. It comes in a wide variety of colors, including pastels and darker colors. I especially love the shawl's flexible design: wear it open or pulled closed.
If you're looking for chic, casual tops for the summer, consider this bold, blue shirt. I love that it has fun touches like a ruffled V-neck and gathered sleeves, and it has a soft fabric that feels good against the skin. Plus, it's perfect for warm-weather travel because it's lightweight, and it doesn't wrinkle easily, so it can save you time on ironing.
These lightweight cargo joggers are lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for travel days. The elastic waist and adjustable drawcord are convenient features if your weight fluctuates like mine does. They have two side zipper pockets and a right-hip zipper pocket for safely storing valuables like your phone or wallet. The UPF 50+ and water-resistant fabric also make them the perfect hiking pants or for lounging on the beach when you don't plan to swim.
Here's a comfortable dress that's stylish and always seems to inspire joy when I wear it. I love the classic A-line style with a V-neck and loose, short sleeves. I recommend sizing up because it seems to run small, and the fabric doesn't have a lot of stretch. It is lightweight and wrinkle-resistant, too, so I love that I can easily pack it, and it will be ready to wear when I get to my destination. It's a great dress for resorts, in particular, where it can be worn to a nice dinner yet also by the pool during the day.
Ready to have the summer of peace, love, and understanding? This fun, floral peace sign shirt gives off those vibes. I love the peace sign design and matching stripes at the bottom of the long sleeves. The pullover shirt is lightweight and soft, but it can keep you warm on cold flights. If you like layering but don't want anything too heavy, this is a great option to wear over sleeveless summer tops.
This colorful, striped dress just screams 'summer fun' to me. It has a feminine style with its frilly sleeves and high waist, plus a lightweight, slightly stretchy design. The wrinkle-resistant material is key so it easily unfolds to offer a ready-to-wear, pulled-together look. Depending on how you style it, it could be dressed up for date night or worn casually with a pair of sneakers.
When traveling to beach destinations and other spots where you'll be spending lots of time in the sun, protective clothing is a must. I love that this rash guard shirt looks like a regular shirt I can wear anywhere, but it also functions as a swimsuit top. It is made of a stretchy, wrinkle-resistant material, and it's comfortable to wear with its four-way stretch. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns. More importantly, the shirt offers UPF 50+ protection, so it helps protect you from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays every time you wear it.
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