Your choice of travel clothes don’t seem all that important until you find yourself in remote places with no access to laundry services.

Traveling with carry-on luggage only and combining business conferences with ecotourism adventures just complicates matters even more.

Traveling together for 9 years now, we’ve gotten much smarter about what travel clothing we pack. We even created an informal Travel Packing Checklist, which changes depending on the type of climate(s) we’re traveling to.

Technology changes constantly and new fashion innovations help make our lives much easier, so our travel wear list is ever-evolving.

What follows is our epic guide divided into the best travel clothes for women and the best travel clothing for men with reviews for the travel clothing brands we wear most often.

READ MORE: The Best Carry-On Luggage

Click on the links below to jump to the section you want to explore!

BEST TRAVEL CLOTHES FOR WOMEN

One of the hardest decisions for ladies who travel carryon-only is what to wear on a plane. Since we always travel light, it’s important for us to choose perfect travel outfits for long flights, which we can also wear once we’re in our final destination.

Mary evaluates her airplane outfits very pragmatically ever since our 15-hour flight to a romantic overwater bungalow in Tahiti, which resulted in a not-so-pleasant and very unromantic infection. 

In her eyes, the best travel outfits for planes include layers that you can easily remove/add, are comfortable, and, most importantly, let your lady parts breath.

Here is Mary’s personal travel outfit formula:

1. Base Layer- Either wear cotton underwear, bike shorts (which she has strategically altered to let more air circulate), or go au natural.
2. First Layer- Leggings or bike shorts and tank top.
3. Second Layer- Long dress or skirt.
4. Outer Layer- Light sweater, scarf, or jacket (depending on season), which can also be rolled up for use as a travel pillow.

With this combination, she wears several outfits at once, which can be altered at any time to suit the temperature outside or in the plane.

According to Mary, the most important aspect of choosing what to wear on a plane is your shoes. We usually find ourselves running through terminals to catch connecting flights, or hauling our bags up lots of stairs.

Because of this and our limited packing space, she usually wears her bulkier shoes on the plane. Cute sneakers are ideal, and are easily hidden beneath a long dress. 

READ MORE: 50 of the Best Travel Shoes

 

Best Travel Dress

Royal Robbins Geneva Ponte Dress

Check Price on Amazon

Royal Robbins offers the perfect stylish travel clothes for any woman on the go. The 52-year-old adventure apparel company is also dedicated to social responsibility, being bluedesign partners and encouraging less waste through their Rewear program.

Their elegant Geneva Ponte black travel dress has a casual fit, yet is extremely flattering to the figure. It has ¾ sleeves and its length hits just around the knees. Made from 4-way stretch fabric, this travel dress is wrinkle-free, so it’s fine to wear straight from your suitcase.

Mary likes the fit of the Geneva Ponte so much that it has become her go-to business attire for the travel conferences where we often speak and teach. She especially likes packing a travel dress with pockets in order to hold her business cards, phone, and lipstick.  

 

Nuu-Muu Spice Ruu-Muu & X-Dress

Check Price on Nuu-Muu

Our hunt for the best travel dress for Mary led us to the sassy Spice Ruu-Muu from Nuu-Muu along with the more classic black travel dress, the X-Dress.

We discovered this Bellingham, Washington-based company last year and love their fun, flirty line of dresses made for “exercise-and-everything-else.”

It’s form-flattering blend of polyester and 4-way stretch spandex makes it perfect to wear over shorts for yoga, SUP, hiking, biking and other forms of exercise. They offer two A-line styles; Classic with Keyhole Neckline or Scoop Neck.

Both styles give you the option of selecting a dress with pockets which are located on the lower back for carrying essentials.

But it’s also cute enough to wear alone or paired with jeans or leggings for a night on the town. Mary thinks it’s the best travel dress for summer.

Toad & Co Shakti Sleeveless Dress

Check Price on Amazon

We’ve been fans of Toad & Co’s ethos– which includes partnerships with Conservation Alliance, the National Park Foundation, and Planet Access Company– for years.

But their line of eco-friendly clothes gives us another reason to love the California brand.

Inspired by the Hindu word “shakti” which means “divine feminine energy,” their soft organic cotton Shakti Dress will flow with you through markets, festivals and food truck stops.

Good for hot climates, this travel dress (with pockets!) has a v-neck back for additional ventilation while still providing coverage for your bra straps.

Aventura Joni Dress

Check Price on Amazon

Aventura’s cute, cozy Joni Dress is available in four space-dyed patterns of 100% organic cotton jersey.

This travel dress is great because you can easily dress it up for dinner or wear it strolling through local markets.  We found that it runs a little big, so you may want to try a size smaller than you usually wear.

For every garment purchased, the company feeds one person for one day through regional food banks.

Stonewear Lyra Dress

Check Price on Amazon

Finding travel clothes for women that are both fashionable AND eco-friendly can be a challenge. So we were excited to discover Stonewear Designs, an apparel brand inspired by the rock climbing culture of Boulder, Colorado.

The entire line including the lovely and supportive Lyra dress is made from sustainable fabrics (using recycled plastic bottles, wood cellulose, etc.).

With a flattering fit, this summer travel dress will make you look as good as you feel.

Sulu Collection

California-born, Bombay-bred designer Sulu Grant pays tribute to her Indian heritage with the Sulu Collection of  travel dresses for summer. They work equally well on a beautiful beach or metropolitan streets.

Perfect for hot humid temperatures, the airy crinkle cotton of the Brandy Dress make it perfect for resort wear– comfy enough for a day on the beach but with detailed embroidery that dazzles at dinnertime.

Mary adds a thin white belt to give the dress a bit more structure for the evening.

Bags of Love Design Your Own Bodycon Dress

We’ve been looking for a green dress that accentuates Mary’s curves for over two years now, but hadn’t found one she loves.

Fortunately, the folks at London’s Bags of Love offered us an opportunity to create our own stylish travel clothes!

The company specializes in custom designed products, with over 450 different items to choose from. Their sleeveless lycra bodycon dress, with its shapely cut and sexy split legs, proved the perfect fit for Mary’s comely curves.

For the image we went with a photo from Rwanda, of Egrets taking flight in Akagera National Park. Doesn’t it look stunning on her?

Happy Yellow Dress- The Wanderer

Mary and I both have a thing for retro clothing styles (as anyone who has seen my extensive collection of Guayaberas can attest).

So we’re enamored with Happy Yellow Dress, a vintage-inspired women’s clothing line launched by British Columbia-bred designer Debbie Yam. We love the entire line, but our favorite dress is The Wanderer.

We dig everything about it: The light blue and vertical white-striped fabric, the cinched waist and full skirt, the traditional cheongsam collar and fun frog closures. It’s an adorable fashion flashback with a flattering ’50s-style silhouette.

One of the things Mary especially likes is a travel dress with pockets.  Most of the dresses you’ll find on Happy Yellow Dress have side seam pockets for holding sunglasses, credit cards, etc. 

READ MORE: The Ultimate Beach Vacation Packing List

 

The Best Travel Pants for Women

Aviator Comfort Skinny Fit Jeans

Check Price on Aviator USA

Aviator USA was founded by former Macy’s art director Colby Kane. An avid traveler, Kane wanted to create fashionable yet affordable travel jeans that could be locally made in Los Angeles.

Once you experience the soft, glove-like fit of their Aviator Comfort Skinny Jean, you’ll make them your go-to travel pants. Mary was concerned her curves might be a bit much for the skinny-cut style, but the stretch fabric perfectly forms to her shape and didn’t stretch out after long days of travel. 

They’re great for everything from touring cities to climbing Mayan Ruins. Strategically placed pockets help you keep your valuables close. The back pocket zips closed so you can keep your ID, credit cards, and cash secure, and the deep front pockets are large enough to hold your phone. 

Craghoppers Pro Lite Pants

Check Price on Amazon

Craghoppers is one of our favorite clothing brands for their classic styles and rugged durability.

We like them even more now that they’ve recently partnered with National Geographic to launch a full line of adventure clothing. Some of the proceeds from the line benefit the society’s ongoing efforts in supporting the health and diversity of our planet.

Their NosiLife Insect Shield line, which provides up to 90% protection from mosquitoes and other biting insects, includes the Pro Lite Pants. These ultra-lightweight travel pants are flattering to the figure, and designed to dry quickly for ultimate wash-n-wear convenience.

Royal Robbins Classic Zip ’n’ Go convertible pants

Check Price on Amazon

Founded by the pioneering rock climber who was famous for several first ascents in Yosemite, Royal Robbins has been a leading outdoor apparel company for more than 50 years now.

Their Classic Zip ’n’ Go convertible pants feature zip-off legs, a zippered side pocket, and a quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant fabric that’s perfect for the rigors of adventure travel.

The 3-Ply Laundered Supplex fabric feels soft like cotton, and it’s odor-resistant so you can wash it less. They’re great for destinations where doing laundry is limited to sinks and showers, such as the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica. 

Mountain Khakis Women’s Sadie Skinny Chino

Check Price on Amazon

You can’t go wrong with Mountain Khaki apparel, which we have been wearing for years. They really know how to make travel clothes designed for the adventurous and outgoing. 

Their Sadie Skinny Chino pants are the perfect travel pants for the independent woman. They pair really well with boots and flats, or can be spruced up with heels for a fancier night on the town.

Made from 98% cotton and 2% spandex twill for stretch, these pants are both comfy and versatile. The mid-rise and skinny leg make the pants stylish and feminine as well.

Prana Halle Pants

Check Price on Amazon

Prana is another clothing line we’ve both loved for years, often wearing their clothes for long hikes near our home and travel adventures abroad.

Mary thought Prana’s water-resistant Halle Pants were especially helpful when hiking through the wet forests of Rwanda to see the endangered mountain gorillas.

We also love the company’s commitment to sustainability, offering Fair Trade-certified clothes; using recycled down, polyester, and wool; and giving back to non-profit organizations such as Outdoor Outreach, which helps underprivileged kids connect with nature.

Prana Chetan Capris

Check Price on Amazon

Now that Mary’s starting new yoga and aerobics classes, Prana’s activewear will get even more use. 

She loves the fitted leg and green, blue, and purple pattern of their Chetan Capris, which are made from hemp and organic cotton. 

Elephant Pants

Check Price on Amazon

Our love of Elephants has only grown in the years since we helped lead a blogger-driven fundraiser for Thailand’s Elephant Nature Park.

So it’s no surprise we love these cool, casual pants, whose bohemian chic style was inspired by traditional Thai prints. 

But the thing we love most is the fact that 50 cents to $1  from every pair you purchase is donated to low-income students in Thailand.

OKIINO Azul Scales Leggings

Inspired by a surfing trip to Mexico, where friends Angeline Kung and Robyn Tosik wound up getting badly sunburnt, OKIINO specializes in leggings made specifically for water sports.

Normal leggings aren’t ideal for surfing and Scuba diving. But OKIINO’s leggings offer compression/body shaping, moisture wicking, quick drying, and UPF 50+ (the highest available).

Designs such as the Azul Scales are also hip and fashionable enough to be worn on dry land. Best of all, the line is sustainably made and gives back to your choice of NGOs, including 5 Gyres, Surf For Life, or the Skin Cancer Foundation.

READ MORE: The 40 Best Backpacks For Travelers

Best Travel Shirts for Women

 

Toad & Co’s Indigo-For-It Shirt

Check Price on Amazon

Sporty and stylish, the organic cotton Indigo-for-it shirt is a great example of Toad&Co’s “trail to tavern” women’s travel clothes. 

For a more casual look, you can roll up the sleeves and tie it in the front. When you’re ready for dinner, just tuck the shirt in for a completely different look.

The Indigo they use is made from an eco-friendly process that cuts back water, energy, and C02 outputs. The lightweight travel shirt is great for hot climates and provides good ventilation so that you can stay cool on your adventures.

Mountain Khakis Women’s Two Ocean Tunic

Check Price on Amazon

Mountain Khaki‘s  Two Oceans Tunic shirt is a classy and stylish shirt made for all-day wear. The tunic is made from 100% cotton, so it’s extremely soft and breathable.

The relaxed fit, roll-tab sleeves, and side seam split make this women’s travel shirt comfortable to wear, whether during long travel days or as your new favorite comfy weekend shirt.

Exofficio Clothing

Check Price on Amazon

As much as I love nature and wildlife, mosquitoes are where I draw the line. And with the Zika virus, dengue fever, and malaria all caused by the pesky critters, we were extra cautious about loading up on Insect Shield clothing for our trips to South Africa and Kenya with my daughter.

We first experienced the benefits of Insect Shield technology back in 2010, when we wore the BugsAway line from Exofficio during our trip to Cancun.

The lightweight travel clothes proved remarkably comfortable, moisture-wicking, and water/stain resistant, plus it’s treated with an odorless Insect Shield that repels bugs for 70+ washings.

The line has expanded quite a bit since then, and we now take their Damselfly and Ziwa Convertible Pants, Lumen and Hakuna shirts, and even their quick-drying Give-N-Go underwear with us everywhere we travel.

Ably Apparel

Check Price on Amazon

I love it when we discover new easy-care travel clothes that solve problems with science I do not understand. That’s the case with Ably Apparel, which nearly tripled its Kickstarter goal with 46 days to go.

Their revolutionary travel t-shirts use an eco-friendly technology called Filium, which makes natural fabrics repel liquids, stains, and odors.

This makes their shirts water-resistant and odor-resistant: Your sweat simply evaporates! For active travelers who are trying to pack light, it’s a simple shirt you can wear over and over again. 

Epoque Evolution Flux Top

From lounging in your hotel and taking a yoga class to swimming under picturesque waterfalls, the flux top from Epoque Evolution will support you and keep you comfy.

It is a little on the pricey side, but considering the quality and multifunctionality it is not a bad deal. It’s a bra, a top, and a bikini all-in-one, allowiong you to save space in your luggage without sacrificing versatility in your traveling clothes.

This crop-like top can be worn underneath clothing, as a sort of sports bra. Mary had her doubts about any travel top claiming to offer bust support, but the Epoque Evolution Flux Top is so well constructed that it provides both coverage and support for an F-cup chest!

The top is moisture-wicking, so sweat doesn’t stick to it and it can be worn for many days without developing an odor. It’s also quick to dry and has UPF 50 protection, so you can sit in the sun after a great swim.

Vibration Apparel All We Need Is Love T-shirt Hoodie

This cute and cozy hoodie bears one of our favorite Beatles-inspired quotes. It is a cotton/poly blend t-shirt fabric via Live Your Life Gear, with a handy hood for chilly days and nights.

But it’s the message (which we actually have on our wall at home) that makes this one of Mary’s favorite shirts. Because who couldn’t use a little more love in their life?

We also like that the brand gives back by partnering with Samaritans365, an NGO that creates programs to teach children the importance of kindness.

READ MORE: The 125 Best Gifts For Travelers

Best Travel Sweaters

DÆHLIE Half Zip Comfy Sweater

Check Price on Amazon

This warm, yet lightweight sweater from Bjorn Daehlie is perfect for travel. Not only does it fit neatly into a bag without taking up too much space, but it will also keep you toasty in cooler conditions.

Made from 50% wool, this sweater is temperature-regulating, making it great for outdoor activities. While they may not be ideal for extreme cold, they’re great for hiking and camping during the sping, fall, and early winter months.

They are available in both Men’s and Women’s styles, and in neutral colors. The generous fit is accommodating for movement, and the half zip allows you to let in some air should it get a little too warm for your taste.  

Carve Designs Silo Sweater

Check Price on Amazon

Carve Designs is a fashion range created for women, by women.

The company is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and works hard to use fabrics that are organic and sustainable. They are also involved in giving back to their community, and work with an organization that takes young cancer fighters on surfing trips.

Their Silo Sweater is a gorgeous, longer-length sweater made from 100% washable Merino Wool. If you know Merino, you know that means it’s as soft as it is fashionable.

The funnel neck, dolman sleeves, and rounded hem make this sweater perfect for most casual occasions, and it looks great with both leggings and jeans.

Kari Traa Rose Hood

Check Price on Amazon

The Rose Hood from Kari Traa, the skiwear line created by the Olympic champion freestyle skierof the same name, is great for keeping warm on days with a slight chill. Or you can wear it for what it was designed for– to be a base layer for colder climates.

Coming from a range that makes functional women’s travel clothes, the design is classy and flatters the female shape. It’s made from 100% Merino wool, and has flexible 4-way stretch.

The attached hood is lightweight and thin, adding protective warmth for your head without creating too much bulk around your neck. This Rose Hood base layer is breathable and naturally odor resistant, which is helpful when you’re wearing it for active sports and outdoor adventures.