The concept of "travel attire" has always fascinated me. What a woman wears in the morning tells you a lot about her personality, as does her choice of clothing when she knows she will be sitting at a desk all day, rushing to the airport in the afternoon, and having dinner somewhere completely different in the evening.
In my opinion, dressing casually is not the way to go when travelling. Plus, I think being comfortable shouldn't mean sacrificing your appearance.
Personally, I think the sweet spot for a great travel wardrobe is in the middle. Perfect for everyday use, elegant enough to impress an unexpected visitor, and unique enough to make you feel at home even after a long flight.
In my experience at Echostudio, that is the best measure of usability.
Put Some Thought Into Your Airport Outfit
Their style category now includes "airport dressing", which can be a bit much at times.
You shouldn't feel pressured to wear an outfit that was tailor-made for a photo op at the airport. You should dress in a way that allows you to move freely, allows you to relax after a few hours, and yet manages to look presentable upon arrival.
A great place to start is with a pair of well-cut trousers and a simple top. You can check out the Flared Sleeve Top and the Echo Beige Sand Pants. Suddenly, your outfit is suitable for more than just the airport when you add a structured jacket or an interesting layer.
The key is to pick out pieces that aren't too demanding. Clothes should facilitate your journey, not add an extra layer of complexity.
Plan Your Entire Day, Not Just Your Flight
I find that women often make the mistake of treating each event as an independent event when they are packing.
Meeting for work. The airport. Having dinner. Lunch on the weekend. Exploring tourist attractions.
Your luggage will be full before you even leave on your trip because five different occasions call for five different outfits. I like to think of pieces that can travel through the day with you.
A stunning dress can be worn with flats during the day and transformed into heels and jewellery at night. The right blazer can elevate an outfit from casual to meeting-appropriate and then complete the look for a night out in town. You can check out the Echo Slit Open Dress and the Echo Beige Sand Coat.
Versatility in design is highly valuable in this context.
You're not packing more. You're basically getting more out of your packing.
Comfort Does Not Equal Casual
I am deeply committed to this style.
Oversized garments, baggy joggers, and clothes that balloon out of shape by midday are not necessary for comfort. When it comes to looking put-together without sacrificing comfort, the options are endless.
Try to find garments that don't require continuous adjusting, fabrics that flow with your body, and cuts that highlight your best features without drawing attention to them.
Draping allows for comfort and freedom of movement, making it an ideal travel garment. Loose-fitting garments can achieve the identical result. Wearing a well-cut co-ord allows you the freedom of separates without sacrificing style. You can check out the Echo Reed Denim Dress and the Echo Draped Denim Set
A Traveller's Best Friend, the Blazer
The one item of clothing I would bring on most of my business trips is a trusty blazer.
Why? Because it gets things done, not because it's a timeless fashion rule. Check out the Echo Ribbed Coat
Pair it with trousers for the workplace. Before you head out to dinner, throw it over a plain dress. On days when you just want to kick back and relax, pair it with some denim. Wear it on flights where you anticipate a temperature change.
Also, a blazer can make an otherwise unassuming ensemble look more put-together. And sometimes that's just what you're hoping for when you step foot in an unfamiliar place, be it a city, a session, or even just a room.
Travelling in a Dress Is Surprisingly Easy
Travelling in a dress has always been my favourite because it eliminates a lot of decision-making.
You don’t have to think about which top goes with which trousers. You wear one beautiful piece and build around it.
For a day of sightseeing and travel, all you need is a modern dress for women, some comfy flats, and a roomy purse. Later, switch to heels, add earrings and a smaller bag, and the same dress feels entirely different.
When travelling with carry-on bags, this is a lifesaver. Instead of packing a suitcase full of separates, a handful of carefully selected dresses can offer you a lot more outfit options.
Items I Would Actually Bring
I wouldn't start with multiple outfits if I were assembling a compact travel wardrobe.
I would begin with a few items that I truly like wearing.
A pair of trousers for women that are comfortable. An attractive top. Just one blazer. Two dresses that have completely different personalities. A flexible co-ord. Everyday shoes that are comfortable. One set of heels. A nice purse and some jewellery.
After that, I would construct upon it. It is the goal to have each item in the bag communicate with another. That way, getting dressed in the morning isn't a mystery every time.
Final Reflection
One thing I've noticed about travel attire is that the woman who packs the most doesn't always look the most put-together.
In most cases, she was the one who had an idea of what she wanted before she even started packing.
She is self-assured because she knows which silhouettes flatter her. With confidence, she knows which shoes she can wear. She has a dress that can be worn from lunch to dinner, no problem. She is aware that a blazer, when picked out with care, can elevate an understated ensemble.
A complete wardrobe overhaul is not required each time she boards an aeroplane. All she has to do is know how to put her clothing to good use.
So, the next time you're taking a trip from your office to the airport lounge and beyond, don't bring an outfit for every conceivable scenario. Choose clothing that can adapt to the dynamic woman you already are.
