We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Airlines + Airports Flight Attendants Reveal What You Should Wear If You're Looking for a First-class Upgrade You’ll want to add these wardrobe essentials to your closet before your next trip. By Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a New York-based commerce writer at Travel + Leisure covering all of the best travel products, from luggage to outdoor gear. She has been a travel writer and product tester for over five years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 16, 2024 In This Article Expand In This Article ReviewsWhy Trust T+L Photo: Travel & Leisure / Kevin Liang Sometimes getting a flight upgrade isn't about the right timing or knowing the right people. Sometimes, it's all about having the right outfit. There's one way you can score a free upgrade to first class without having to do very much, flight attendants told Who What Wear: just pick the perfect ensemble. And the good news is, you don't need to be a fashion icon to do it. While many travelers prefer to wear sweatpants and sneakers (or even blankets) when they fly, these seasoned cabin crew members say that putting a little more effort into your appearance can go a long way. "When we fly, we have a strict dress code to follow. No jeans or trainers — so I always go for tight black trousers and a blazer or a dress. For men, chinos or trousers and a shirt are worn," one flight attendant told Who What Wear. Another flight attendant elaborated that you don't have to be on trend or wearing designer clothes. "Smart but understated. You should look like you travel often...it helps; someone who is potentially due to get an upgrade can be knocked back if they aren't dressed suitably." Essentially, you can still be comfortable, and elevated basics will take you far. Think casual workday chic. Dirty sneakers, flip flops, leggings, old shirts, jeans, and other "comfy" but generally too casual clothes will probably keep you in your economy seat, while a classic turtleneck, wrinkle-resistant trousers, and knit loafers might just do the trick. Luckily, there are lots of comfortable, business-casual sweaters and stretchy slacks out there, as well as protective face masks that you can easily wear for hours on end while traveling. Keep reading for our favorite comfortable yet stylish travel clothing and accessories. Wear these next time you board a plane, and they might just help you snag a first-class upgrade. Best Jacket Ayr The Espionage PHOTO: Ayr View on Ayr.com Why We Love It It’s versatile to wear for all-season travel. What to Consider It only comes in one color. A trench coat is arguably the most versatile piece of outerwear you can add to your travel wardrobe. Ayr’s The Espionage version boasts all of the qualities you look for in a stylish jacket to keep you warm in a cold airplane cabin or while out sightseeing. It’s designed to be extra soft thanks to the 100 percent cotton material (that also happens to be water resistant). While it only comes in one color, the light brown shade goes with practically any outfit to add effortless elegance en route to your destination. Best Accessory White+Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap PHOTO: White+Warren $350 at shopbop.com View on Tnuck.com $95 at Saks Fifth Avenue Why We Love It The wrap can be used as a scarf, shawl, or blanket. What to Consider It must be hand-washed or dry-cleaned only. Speaking of versatility, this luxe cashmere travel wrap from White + Warren can be styled in multiple different ways to best suit your style of the day. It can be worn as a cozy travel blanket on a flight or as a shawl to drape around the shoulders when you’re out to dinner. And if you’re traveling during the winter, the cashmere material is extremely warm wrapped around the neck as a scarf. Plus, there are tons of different colors to choose from, including a bold red to a neutral cream shade. Best Top Eileen Fisher Poplin Classic Collar Shirt PHOTO: Eileen Fisher View on Eileenfisher.com Why We Love It A simple white collared shirt can be styled in many different ways during a trip. What to Consider Cotton wrinkles easily. Warm-weathered travels call for a top with lightweight materials like this chic collared shirt from Eileen Fisher's new collection, "The 12 Shapes." Made with airy cotton fabric, this top can be styled with jeans and sneakers or dressed up with a skirt and heels. The beauty of a collared shirt is in its versatility, which makes it a travel must-have for both dressier and casual occasions. While the white color is the most versatile in our opinion, this top also comes in black, green, and a striking red for a bolder outfit. Best Dress Foreign Fare Wrap Me Up Dress PHOTO: Foreign Fare View on Foreignfare.com Why We Love It The dress is elegant and stylish, and it's made with wrinkle-resistant fabric. What to Consider It runs large so you may want to size down. A dress might not be the first thing you think of when picking out a travel outfit, but trust us when we say, this Foreign Fare wrap dress offers both style and comfort. It’s made with a wrinkle-resistant fabric so it won't get creased or crinkled when sitting for long periods or while being tucked away in a suitcase. The black and green colors are neutral, which makes it easy to pair the dress with a colorful heel for a night out or you can opt for white sneakers for an easy, breezy daytime look. The 23 Best Luxury Travel Accessories of 2024 Best Personal Item SteamLine Luggage The Sweetheart Mini PHOTO: SteamLine Luggage $325 at Nordstrom View on Steamlineluggage.com Why We Love It This mini suitcase-style purse is effortlessly chic and elegant. What to Consider It's not packable in a larger bag. If you’re looking for an elegant travel accessory, this vintage-style crossbody bag from Steamline Luggage is the perfect addition. The exterior of the bag resembles a trunk suitcase that was common in the early 20th century but it has a modern twist thanks to its miniature size and other thoughtful features like gold hardware, a combination lock, and a detachable crossbody strap. When you open up the bag, the interior is lined with delicate floral fabric and there is a slip pocket for extra storage. The purse can also be carried with the top-handle tote straps or the detachable crossbody strap is also adjustable so you can easily switch up the style of the bag. Best Shoes Naturalizer Morrison 2.0 Lace Up Sneaker PHOTO: Naturalizer $99 at Nordstrom $99 at Zappos View on Naturalizer.com Why We Love It These comfy white sneakers can be dressed up or down. What to Consider White shoes can get dirty easily, especially when traveling. You can never go wrong with a pair of crisp white sneakers for traveling in style. Naturalizer offers a variety of comfy shoes and the Morrison 2.0 sneakers are an excellent option for a nice-looking pair of shoes that aren’t too fancy for traveling. The clean white leather upper gives the sneakers a polished look and the thick rubber outsole is designed for stability and traction, especially for walking through an airport with slick floors. For added comfort, the shoes boast the brand's Contour+ Comfort design with a removable footbed and non-slip heal. The Ultimate Packing List for Long-haul Flights Best Pants Ripley Rader Ponte Knit Pant PHOTO: Ripley Rader View on Ripleyrader.com Why We Love It The pants are made with a super stretchy material for maximum comfort while sitting. What to Consider They may be too short for taller travelers. Flattering and stretchy, these wide-leg pants from Ripley Rader have the perfect combination of comfort and style, especially for long flights. Made out of nylon and viscose, these pants are designed to stretch without pinching or riding up while sitting. While comfort is certainly important for sitting in an airplane seat, the high-waist fit and cropped legs will add effortless style to your airport outfit. As a bonus, the pants have an elevated and structured look to them, but it’s still easy to pair the bottoms with various tops like T-shirts, sweaters, or blouses. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, we think these are the best pair of pants to add to your capsule wardrobe. Best Sweater J. McLaughlin Fairfax Sweater PHOTO: J. McLaughlin View on Jmclaughlin.com Why We Love It A collared pullover can easily be dressed up or down. What to Consider It has a tighter fit so consider sizing up for a looser look. A pullover sweater is the perfect layering piece if you get chilly on a flight. You can toss it over a T-shirt or dress and still maintain a stylish and elevated look thanks to the collar and striped pattern. Made with cotton and modal fabric, the material is both breathable and stretchy, offering a comfortable and cozy layer that won't feel restrictive or too warm on a stuffy plane. Plus, the sweater can be machine-washed for easy upkeep during or after a trip. Best Pants for Men Vuori Meta Pant PHOTO: Vuori View on Vuoriclothing.com Why We Love It The pants look like a nice pair of chinos but they are made with a super soft and stretchy fabric. What to Consider They aren't offered in a light brown color. Both short and long flights call for comfortable clothing so we love that these Vuori pants look like a typical pair of chinos but offer the comfort of a pair of sweatpants. Made with a four-way stretch polyester, these pants boast tons of special features like the ability to resist odor and moisture, and the material is quick-drying and offers UPF 30-plus protection. Oh, and did we mention the pants have not one, but five pockets? Best Shoes for Men Samuel Hubbard Sunset Sneakers PHOTO: Samuel Hubbard $185 at Zappos View on Samuelhubbard.com Why We Love It The leather upper material is sleek and stylish without sacrificing comfort. What to Consider Sneakers can take up a lot of room in a carry-on. Similar to our shoe recommendation for women, a pair of white sneakers is the way to go. These ones from Samuel Hubbard are more elevated than your average pair of sportier sneakers thanks to the soft leather material and chic navy accent color in the heel. Handcrafted in Portugal, these upscale white sneakers offer plenty of flexibility, cushioning, and breathability, which makes them the perfect shoe for long travel days. Best Shirt for Men UntuckIt Wrinkle-Free Performance Gironde Shirt PHOTO: UntuckIt View on Untuckit.com Why We Love It The fabric is designed to be stretchy, winkle-resistant, and moisture-wicking. What to Consider While it's wrinkle-resistant, it's not totally wrinkle-proof. A button-down shirt might not be the first thing you think of when packing for a trip but this one from Untuckit is designed with travelers in mind. Made with wrinkle- and moisture-resistant fabric, this shirt can be worn on an airplane and then stuffed into a suitcase without creasing and wrinkling. While it's certainly the dressier option for a top, it's also more comfortable and travel-friendly than a cotton button-down, and we don't think it hurts to dress up for a flight. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure, where she writes about and reviews travel products. Splitting her time between the East and West Coasts, Anna is always on the lookout for ways to travel in style and comfort, including efforts to get free upgrades while flying. Anna recommended products based on her expertise and she chatted with several travel editors for ideas, too. The 15 Best Cashmere Sweaters of 2024 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Additional reporting by Andrea Romano Andrea Romano Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. For the last eight years, she has been a lifestyle journalist for Mashable, Brit+Co, Reviewed, Bustle, and Travel + Leisure. learn more and Madeline Diamond Madeline Diamond Madeline Diamond is an associate ecommerce editor at Dotdash Meredith, where she primarily works on the Travel + Leisure brand. She writes about all things travel gear, including everything from the best suitcases to the most comfortable travel clothing. learn more Edited by Morgan Ashley Parker Morgan Ashley Parker Morgan Ashley Parker is an associate editorial director at Travel + Leisure where she works on commerce content and strategy. She has been writing and editing lifestyle content since 2007, traveling since birth, and shopping since she earned her first allowance. learn more