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What to Wear on the Plane to Paris: 6 Chic and Comfortable Travel Outfits

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Francophile, the question always comes up before a Paris trip: what do I wear on the plane? After many transatlantic flights of my own, I’ve learned that the answer doesn’t have to be yoga pants and an oversized hoodie. You can be comfortable and look like you belong in Paris the moment you step off the plane.

Below are six travel outfit ideas I actually wear — and would wear again — on my flights to Paris. Each one is built on the principles of French dressing: quality fabrics, a neutral palette, effortless layering, and that certain je ne sais quoi that makes getting dressed feel like an act of intention.

Why What You Wear on the Plane to Paris Matters

I know — it might seem frivolous to think carefully about a plane outfit. But hear me out. When you travel to Paris, you step into a city where dressing is a cultural act. Parisian women don’t separate “travel clothes” from “real clothes.” They wear what they’d wear anywhere, adjusted for comfort.

Dressing with intention on travel day also sets the tone for your entire trip. It signals to yourself — and the city — that you’re arriving with purpose. And practically speaking, a thoughtful travel outfit does double duty: comfortable for 8+ hours in the air, and presentable enough to head straight to a café or check into your hotel without needing to change.

The key principles for what to wear on the plane to Paris: comfort without casualness, neutral or navy tones, breathable fabrics, easy layers, and shoes you can slip on and off at security.

6 Travel Outfits to Wear on the Plane to Paris

These six outfits span a range of styles — from relaxed and minimal to polished and layered. All of them are real combinations I’ve put together, and each photo below shows exactly how the pieces work together.

1. The Navy Classic — Cashmere Wrap, White Button-Down & Dark Denim

J.Crew Linen Blouse– J.Crew Linen Pants–Tuckernuck Blanket Scarf–Veronica Beard Sneakers–Quince Black Tote– Tuckernuck Sunglasses–Salt and Stone Body Set

This is one of my most-worn travel combinations. A crisp white oxford shirt, dark straight-leg jeans, and a navy cashmere wrap hit every mark: polished, comfortable, and quintessentially French. The woven black tote keeps everything organized in the cabin, and the tortoiseshell sunglasses add that finishing editorial touch.

Why it works: Dark denim holds its shape all day and doesn’t wrinkle like linen or cotton trousers. The wrap is your best friend on a cold flight and doubles as a scarf when you land.

Travel essential shown: Salt & Stone body wash and deodorant a chic, TSA-friendly way to freshen up mid-flight or upon arrival.

SHOP THE LOOK

2. The Structured Jacket + Flare Trouser Combo

Rag and Bone Blazer–Madewell Stripe Shirt–Varley Black Pants–Béis Weekender–Bombas Compression Socks– La Bonne Brosse Brush–New Balance Sneaker

A structured black jacket over a soft blue-stripe shirt is one of those combinations that looks more intentional than it takes to put together. The flare trouser and elastic waist, please, it gives you comfort without sacrificing silhouette. White crew socks peeking above New Balance sneakers add a casual-cool touch that feels very “Paris on a Saturday morning.”

Why it works: The jacket is structured enough to look sharp in airport photos but comes off easily once you’re settled in your seat. The blue-and-black palette is timeless and requires zero coordination thinking.

Travel essential shown: A cream structured travel bag with compartments that are functional, but it doesn’t look like a gym bag.

SHOP THE LOOK

3. The Breton Stripe + Trench Coat

J.Crew Trench Coat–Everlane Stripe Sweater–Madewell Pants–Cuyana Leather Tote–Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask– Margaux Ballet Flats–AWAY Compression Packing Cubes

If there is one travel outfit that feels completely, unapologetically French, it’s this one. A Breton stripe sweater, tailored black trousers, and a classic trench coat are the travel uniform of the French woman. Ballet flats instead of sneakers here because they are effortless to slip off, and they carry you from gate to café without a second thought.

Why it works: The trench coat acts as both a layer and a style anchor and everything looks more put-together underneath one. And the Breton stripe needs no explanation. It’s Paris.

Travel essential shown: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask and navy packing cubes — because arriving in Paris well-rested and organized matters.

SHOP THE LOOK

4. Neutral Layers — The Chore Jacket + Silk Scarf

Varley Light Jacket–Aligne Ponte Trouser–Rag and Bone Tee–Madewell Scarf–Veronica Beard Sneaker– Christian Dior Hand Cream–Quince Suitcase–Cadence Pill Capsules

This is the outfit I’d wear if I wanted to look like I travel to Paris regularly which, ideally, I do. A beige chore jacket over a white tee, navy relaxed trousers, and a silk scarf tied loosely at the collar: it’s minimal but it reads as completely intentional. The cream hard-shell carry-on coordinates the whole look in a way that feels almost editorial.

Why it works: The scarf is doing 80% of the work here. It adds color, pattern, and personality to an otherwise very neutral outfit and it keeps your neck warm on the flight.

Travel essential shown: A stackable jewelry travel case because arriving with tangled necklaces is not très chic.

SHOP THE LOOK

5. The Black Maxi Dress + Denim Jacket

FRAME Denim Jacket–Tuckernuck Knit Dress–Loewe Sneaker–Cuyana Travel Case–Longchamp Tote–SONY Headphones– Citrus Lite Steamer

A sleeveless black maxi dress is one of the most versatile travel pieces you can own. It’s comfortable, it doesn’t wrinkle, and it looks elegant without effort. Layer it with a denim jacket for the airport and the flight, then remove the jacket when you land for an instant outfit upgrade. The Loewe Flow Runner sneakers bring in the fashion-girl element.

Why it works: A maxi dress reads as dressed-up but moves like loungewear. This combination works for every airline class and every type of traveler.

Travel essentials shown: Longchamp Le Pliage tote (a Paris essential in its own right), noise-canceling headphones, and a portable steamer for arriving wrinkle-free.

SHOP THE LOOK

6. The Navy Polo + Wide-Leg Trouser

J.Crew Navy Top–Aritzia Lodge Pant–New Balance Sneakers–La Bonne Brosse Comb–Silk Sleeping Mask– AWAY Suitcase– Quince Passport Cover

This one is for the overnight flight — or for the traveler who wants maximum comfort without giving up a polished silhouette. A navy ribbed polo with pearl buttons, paired with wide-leg drawstring trousers in black, is the definition of elevated loungewear. It looks put-together from a distance, but you could absolutely sleep in it at 35,000 feet.

Why it works: The polo adds structure at the top, which balances the relaxed width of the trouser. Navy and black is one of the chicest combinations in French dressing.

Travel essentials shown: A silk sleep mask, navy passport holder, and wide-tooth comb — the small details that make a long flight feel more manageable.

SHOP THE LOOK

What to Look for in a Great Paris Travel Outfit

Fabric First

Choose fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily and feel good after hours of sitting. My favorites are ponte knit, merino wool, modal, and a good stretch-cotton blend for denim. Save the linen and the silk blouses for Paris — they’re worth it once you’ve landed.

Layers Are Non-Negotiable

Airplane cabins are unpredictable — cold one hour, warm the next. A cashmere wrap, a denim jacket, or a chore coat gives you flexibility without bulk. A good layer also functions as an instant style upgrade the moment you step off the plane.

Shoes You Can Slip Off Easily

Security. Always security. Sneakers with easy lacing or slip-on styles make the whole process smoother. Ballet flats are ideal if you prefer a more feminine look. Just avoid anything with complicated straps or laces you’ll regret at the TSA line.

A Bag That Works Hard

Your carry-on is your companion for the entire journey. A structured tote, a travel duffel, or a classic Longchamp Le Pliage all work beautifully — each one looks intentional and holds everything you need within arm’s reach.

One Accessory That Elevates

A silk scarf tied at the collar or looped through a bag handle. A pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses. A good watch. One deliberate accessory takes any neutral outfit from simple to studied. This is exactly how French women dress — not more, just better.

My Favorite Travel Essentials to Pack on the Plane

Beyond the outfit, a few small extras make a long flight feel more like an experience and less like an ordeal. These are the items I always bring on the plane to Paris:

• Salt & Stone body wash and deodorant — travel-sized, clean formulas, gorgeous packaging
• Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask — apply before landing for an instant glow
• Silk sleep mask — protects your eyes on overnight flights and looks chic doing it
• Noise-canceling headphones — essential for a 9-hour flight

Ready to Plan Your Paris Trip?

Knowing what to wear on the plane to Paris is just the beginning. Once you land, you’ll want to know where to go, what to eat, and how to move through the city with ease — not as a tourist, but as someone who belongs there.

That’s exactly what Your Essential Guide to Paris is for. It’s a 117-page downloadable guide with my personal recommendations for where to stay, eat, shop, and explore — curated for women who want to experience Paris the way Parisians do.

→ GET YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PARIS