Travel days: they too often start at an ungodly hour in the morning and drag you through a variety of temperamental climates and circumstances. So how does one dress in a way that’s functional, comfortable and still somewhat presentable throughout all of these variables? I’d like to think I’ve kind of mastered this art by now, so here are a few things you need to know.

But before I share, let me point out that a lot of these items are currently marked down significantly thanks to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. If you’re not a current cardholder who gets early access to these particular items, you can check back in after July 19th for full access.

COMFORTABLE FLATS

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, ferry, car, broomstick or any other vehicle, comfortable flats are a must. With that said, this doesn’t mean gym shoes are your only choice here. This can also be in the form of a loafer, a sandal, a ballet flat or a slide depending on the outfit you choose, but there are several reasons why I suggest against any kind of heel. In addition to heels being more cumbersome when it comes to metal detectors or any kind of security screening, they’re also generally uncomfortable (I don’t care if you are Carrie Bradshaw, don’t tell me you honestly think heels are an ideal footwear choice to schlep around a suitcase in).

COMFORTABLE + VERSATILE BOTTOMS

Sit. Stand. Stairs. Sprint to gate. Sit again. Stand again. Schelp your luggage… you get the picture. Travel days certainly aren’t the time to be wearing a mini-skirt or pants that are even remotely uncomfortable. I always love to wear leggings with some sort of detail that dresses it up a bit. Sure, you may have a zipper at the ankle or some sort of leather component, but you’re essentially wearing glorified yoga pants that are comfortable enough to sleep in. If leggings aren’t your thing, I love a boyfriend jean which wears a bit more loose and comfy than your skinnies. And if you really just want to be cozy AF, go for a jogger like these.

BASIC LAYERING SHIRTS

When your plane feels like a sub-zero Icelandic tundra but minutes later your cab to the city feels like a furnace occupied by Lucifer himself, light layers are the name of the game when it comes to maintaining a comfortable temperature… but where do you start at the base of all of that? I almost wear a basic tee that can be worn under a cardigan, scarf, light-jacket or on it’s own. If you’re feeling cheeky, go for a graphic tee like this, but a safe bet for me is always a classic stripe, which pairs well with just about any later you throw over it.

BLANKET SCARVES / WRAPS

Per my commentary above, a scarf or wrap is a great additional layer to throw on when someone gets a bit too carried away with the AC. I love these because you can wrap it around your neck or your entire body if you want to wear it, but they also come in handy for a blanket you can snuggle up in on a plane. Pay attention to the material and weight of the fabric depending on the time of year you’re traveling (wool is a bit aggressive in the summer, but a light-weight cashmere will pretty much always be your best friend).

LAYERING CARDIGANS

Surprise! More ways to layer. Cozy cardigans are a must in my opinion (I seem to always go for long ones that feel like a robe and can double as a blanket if needed.) Even if it’s 100 degrees outside and you’re convinced there is no way you’ll need a sweater… bring one. They’re light enough to not weigh down your bag if you don’t need it but will be a game changer if you do.

LIGHT JACKET OR SWEATSHIRT

Sometimes interchangeable with a cardigan or oversized wrap/scarf, a light jacket or sweatshirt can also make a great final addition to top off your layering. This time of year we don’t need a parka, but having some sort of thicker shell from a denim or utility jacket can provide not only an additional layer for warmth if needed, but also double as a shield if you get caught in unexpected rain.

T-SHIRT DRESSES

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Acting as another base layer, I’m a huge fan of t-shirt dresses. Not only are they cool and breezy for warm summer travel days, they also mean you don’t have to wear pants, which I’m always a big fan of. I’d definitely advise bringing a couple layers if you opt for this base, as my legs almost always get cold on a plane when I go for this look.

Looking for some other essentials for your upcoming travel day? Be sure to check out my blog reviewing my favorite travel bags or check out the “Shop Travel Gear” section of my site for some of my “can’t live without” items.

Thanks as always for stopping by... I’m excited to share a lot more travel essentials with you in the near future with all of my upcoming adventures!

Whitney

Happy Cyber Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. While going back to reality after the holiday is never fun, at least there are some great sales happening online to ease the pain a bit, right? Some of my favorites include:

LOFT: 50% OFF EVERYTHING WITH CODE CYBER MONDAY

NORDSTROM: ADDITIONAL 20% OFF SELECT SALE ITEMS

J. CREW: 20% OFF WITH CODE GETSHOPPING

EXPRESS: 50% OFF EVERYTHING

MACY'S: TAKE AN EXTRA 20-40% OFF

LUGGAGE UP TO 85% OFF AT E-BAGS

And if you're looking for flights or hotels? Priceline is offering:

15% OFF UNTIL 7:59AM EST, 12% OFF UNTIL 11:59AM EST, 7% OFF UNTIL 5:59PM EST & 5% OFF THE REST OF THE DAY (USING CODE: CYBER15

For today's gift guide, I wanted to focus on the "travel uniform" (essentially, those cozy staples every gal-on-the-go should have). I've learned that comfort + functionality is the perfect combination for travel days, and I've rounded up some of my favorite pieces that you can benefit from (some of them still included in these Cyber Monday sales!)

ponchos + wraps

CLASSIC ALPACA CAPE: CUYANA

I love Cuyana and I love a good poncho to wrap up in on a travel day. Combine those two factors and this Classic Alpaca Cape is pretty much a perfect staple for any traveler.

CASHMERE OVERSIZED SCARF WRAP

I've said dozens of times before that cashmere is one of my favorite fabrics for travel. It's soft + warm, but also lightweight, so it's perfect to wrap up in. This cashmere oversized scarf wrap from Macy's is marked down significantly for Cyber Monday.

oversized thermal scarf

Are you picking up on my love for oversized scarves and wraps yet? There's really nothing better (or more chic) than wrapping up in a big comfy piece like this oversized thermal scarf from Shopbop. This textile offers a bit of variety from cashmere if you're wanting to mix it up.

RIBBED CASHMERE MUFFLER

If you're wanting to stick with cashmere but want a piece that's a bit smaller or less overwhelming than some of my options above, you'll love this ribbed cashmere muffler from Nordstrom.

OMBRÉ ALPACA SERAPE WRAP

Another great alpaca poncho, this ombré option from Nordsrom offers something a bit more interesting than a solid print. I also love that it combines two of my favorite neutrals: camel + grey.

CARDIGANS + LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS

OPEN FRONT LONG CASHMERE CARDIGAN

Again with the cashmere, this long open front cardigan from Nordstrom is the ultimate chic + cozy option to wrap up in a travel day.

LEITH WAFFLE KNIT CARDIGAN

While cashmere is ideal, I realize it can be a bit on the expensive side. If you want something that's still long + cozy but more affordable, this Leith Waffle Knit Cardigan from Nordstrom is a great find.

TRAVELER WRAP JACKET

Stay stylish while keeping cozy in this French terry hoodie from Nordstrom. It's fashioned with a draped open front, leather cuffs and smart thumbholes to keep your hands warm. Lightweight jackets like this are clutch while traveling because they're not too bulky, but still help keep you at an ideal temperature.

comfortable jeans or leggings

Whatever pants you choose to wear on a travel day should be comfortable. If you opt for jeans, go with a boyfriend pair like these (or these). I tend to wear black leggings like these (or these) because they're a bit more comfortable but still look chic and can be styled the same way.

comfortable chic footwear

I've shared these shoes on previous blogs, but I love the simplicity of these lifestyle / athletic shoes. Not only are the comfortable, but they pair well with both workout clothes and everyday street style.

So there you have it! chic cozy neutrals that are comfortable are what you want on travel days (although to be honest, I want these everyday really...) I hope you found this to be helpful and that you can score some travel staples of your own with these Cyber Monday sales! And in case you missed it, be sure to check out my other posts from this weekend- lots of those items are still on sale too!