It’s summer and the airports are already packed! School’s out for some, almost out for others, and road trips are beginning to happen. Travel clothes are an important part of any trip and a little bit more challenging in the summer because of the heat. We are always looking for items that can do double and triple duty – that are good on the plane (or air-conditioned car) as well as at the destination. Pieces that can be dressed up or down.
Our focus of this FabList is a summer travel wardrobe to a city location (we’ll follow up with a swimsuit guide in the next few weeks!). We’ve chosen some ‘general travel item basics’ that can be worn in a variety of situations (dinner/plane/sightseeing etc). No ball gowns or high heels on this list!
Note: Summer clothing, especially in warm weather, includes linen! Do NOT worry about linen wrinkling. Linen wrinkles – it’s part of the charm. As Maria Bogner (founder of Bogner ski clothing) told Chrissie many years ago, “If it’s not wrinkled, how will people know it’s linen!?’. And, if you can’t get over it, pack this great little travel steamer!
Pants/Bottoms:
Quince Linen Pants: These come in slim or wide-leg, in a variety of colors, and ring up at $40. Jo likes the wide-leg version with a thicker elastic waistband. They pair nicely with a T-shirt. Tie a sweater (this cotton cashmere crewneck from Quince) or sweatshirt (The Great makes the best sweatshirts!) around your neck and you’re ready for anything.
Colored Cotton Pant: It’s summer so don’t be afraid to wear some color! The Colette pant comes in 13 colors and a few patterns – try the lime or orange to pep up any party.
Athleta Endless High Rise Pant – These stretchy, comfy yet sleek pants with side pockets look equally good with tennies and a sweatshirt on the plane as they do with a jacket and slides or heels worn out to dinner. Travel versatility! For a lighter-weight option, the Brooklyn pants are always a great choice. And for hiking or when you need a bit more ‘durable’ but still lightweight pant, the Trekkie pants are awesome (Chrissie wears them on the plane, on long hiking trips and has even taken them on safari).
Vuori sweatpants – Perfect travel sweats – not too bulky and so comfy for flights, for exercise or for when you are back at the hotel and need some lounge time.
Shorts: These Quince linen shorts have a 5” inseam and come in lots of colors! For a longer more traditional Bermuda-style short, you can’t go wrong with these from Vince.
Tops/Tees:
T-Shirt: We like this one by COS which comes in lots of colors and stripes.
Polo: If you’re looking for a collared tee, this tangerine polo is a perfect choice! Also comes in white.
Linen Blouse: A relaxed-fit linen blouse is perfect for day or night and can even be used as a beach cover-up! Jo just got this one from Quince and loves it!!
‘Fancier’ Everyday Blouse: Taylor Swift made this one famous, but we see why. If you’re looking for a shirt with a bit of flair that you can pair with shorts or a linen skirt and flip flops by day, or let it dress up a pair of linen pants for an al fresco dinner. Tuckernuck makes an eyelet white shirt that could fill the same need (size down).
Dresses:
One-and-done dresses are perfect for summer! These from Everlane are crowd-pleasers:
- Daytripper shirtdress: We love chambray!! This piece features a trapeze silhouette, knee length, high-low shirt tail, short sleeve, collar, button closure, chest pockets, in organic cotton and recycled cotton.
- Eyelet shirtdress: This piece features a mini-length, short sleeve, collared silhouette with front buttoned plackets, on-seam side pockets and full lining. Available in white and black.
- Linen Shirtdress: Chrissie has/loves this one as it’s lightweight linen, flows, has nice covered buttons and hangs well.
Linen Dress: Chrissie & Jo both have this dress from Quince in multiple colors! It’s perfect with sneakers or birks. Throw on and go.
Maxi Dress: If you are looking for a longer dress option, the Somerset from Anthro is a FabList favorite and comes in lots of colors and patterns. Quince has a dupe – you can find it here.
Cotton Knee-Length Dress with Great Stitching Detail: Chrissie has this in green from a past season and finds it’s a great dinner or ‘nicer’ day dress and perfect for warm nights. Love the stitching detail on the red! Size down.
Sweaters/Jackets:
Frank & Eileen Belfast Jacket: This jacket is a popular travel choice for a reason! The triple fleece version is soft, looks polished, won’t wrinkle, comes in a bunch of color options and is a ‘step up’ from a regular sweater or sweatshirt. It also comes in a linen version (available in black or white).
Lightweight Cardigan: An everyday sweater you can throw on over a dress or with pants that doesn’t take up too much room in the suitcase and won’t break the bank…the holy grail. Chrissie just ordered this one and fingers crossed it fits all the criteria!
Lightweight puffer: You might not think down for summer, but these lightweight down jackets are great when the temp drops. This flyweight from Barbour is a classic choice.
Rain Coat: Cause you never know! Raincoats don’t have to just be for rain – they are a great layering piece that can add a layer of warmth and chicness! This poncho is a great throw-on piece and this relaxed parka from Uniqlo is so cute!
Moncler Sweater Puffer: a little bit of down combined with a sweater/sweatshirt is the perfect combo for cold planes and warmer airports.
Shoes:
New Balance Tennis Shoes: Can be worn for sightseeing and long travel days. Tone-on-tone neutrals can be worn with dresses as well.
Simple White Tennis Shoe: If you are looking for a simple white and relatively unbranded tennis shoe that’s a bit “elevated” to wear with dresses, this one from Common Projects is a good choice. We also like this platform one from Superga.
Birkenstocks: Chrissie & Jo both can walk ALL day in these!! If you need a waterproof pair these are great!
Espadrilles: Summer also means espadrilles! These wedge ones would be perfect with linen pants or a dress. This Gucci pair in denim is Fab!
Leather Sandal: A chic leather sandal is a wardrobe staple. This new one from Prada is a classic that will last forever and this Larroude sandal is on trend this season!
Accessories:
Scarf: We both always travel with a big scarf to use as a blanket, headrest, or neck warmer, or to throw over your shoulders when going out to dinner. Joanne loves this one by Toteme for a more fashion-forward choice but a basic like this always works. Opt for a fun bright color so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle!
Straw Tote: Always a great choice for summer! This Chloe bag is a classic and we love this one too!! For a less $ option, Gap has an offering as well.
Waist Bag: For a smaller option the Lulu Everywhere Bag is great to throw your passport, money, phone etc into and wear on the plane or about town. Then throw it into a larger purse or backpack when out and about.
