From Instagram influencers posing with luggage to designer campaigns (think Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny photographed in an airport for Gucci) , airport style has been having a big moment of late. And rightly so – as frequent flyers ourselves we know all to well the satisfaction that comes with nailing the perfect outfit formula to wear on a plane. The classic go-to is of course a smart yet comfortable loungewear set, whether it be a matching tracksuit or cashmere co-ord. Extra points if the trousers are cuffed and the logos are minimal or tongue-in-cheek. Never ones to gatekeep, here we share our editor's picks of the best loungewear brands to wear on a flight.
Vuori
Hailing from California, premium activewear brand Vuori makes thoughtful, minimal pieces designed to last. Sustainability is key – the brand requests all its suppliers to sign and adhere to a code of conduct regarding labour, working conditions and environmental practices, while prioritising using ethically-grown cotton. The brand’s Performance Joggers are a new go-to for long haul flights for commerce writer Charley Ward; super soft and cosy yet lightweight enough to not feel stifling when heading into warmer climes after disembarking from the plane.
Adanola
British brand Adanola's ADA logo has become a mainstay for the fashion-set's off-duty style, with their oversized varsity sweatshirts and sweatpants offering up equal parts cool and cosy. Be warned though, their sweatshirts tend to sell out fast. Luckily they drop new styles regularly with varying retro-sport logos.
The White Company
The White Company is a mainstay when it comes to cosy and classic cashmere loungewear. True to the brand's minimalist style, the loungewear keeps to muted tones and experiments with different textures and timeless details like simple stripe motifs.
Pangaia
Pangaia is the go-to for fun athleisure for women, men and children. The eco-conscious activewear line makes colour-popping separates for mix-and-matching, not just tops with bottoms, but across all styles from t-shirts to hoodies, joggers to shorts.
Sporty & Rich
Athleisure-lux label Sporty & Rich has become a synonym for the type of box fresh sportswear worn in airport lounges, particularly by fashion-forward jet-set types. Their logos replicate the classic styles you'd expect from sporting club merchandise, but with a more fashion-meets-cheeky aesthetic.
Cos
For a high-street option, Cos has a strong year-round loungewear offering, including cashmere, for both men and women.
Asceno
Asceno is unbeatable when it comes to smart loungewear. Its pyjama-inspired daywear makes for seriously elegant holiday looks in lux fabrics and neutral shades.
Raey
For paired back and timeless styles that are free of logos, Raey is another great go-to brand. While the Matches label may be better know for their ready to wear, their lounge wear sets are equally considered and available in a range of fabrications and colours.
Free People
For the kind of relaxed loungewear that looks and feels lived in, in a laidback Californian cool-girl way, Free People can't be beat. Their matching sets are prone to being baggy while also cropped, so it feels flattering and comfortable at the same time.
Johnstons of Elgin
When it comes to cashmere, there’s one brand the fashion world all looks to. A fashion editor secret, Johnstons of Elgin, a family-run company from Scotland, creates world famous cashmere (the biggest brands in the fashion industry place orders with them). The fabric is timeless but the styles are decidedly contemporary.
Onitsuka Tiger
Japanese-born Onitsuka Tiger was founded in 1949 but later changed its name to Asics, famed for its Olympian-favoured, high-performance trainers. After relaunching in 2002, Onitsuka Tiger has grown into an all-singing sportswear line with serious fashion credentials, collaborating with Valentino in 2020, and launching at Milan Fashion Week for its SS23 collection. Its loungewear fuses sturdy performance materials with clean cut design, such as this smart knit hoodie and trousers set, with contrast white ties.
Bamford
British label Bamford brings the finest quality cashmere (read: baby soft and oh-so huggable) to its smart clothing line, including this timeless unisex crewneck and matching joggers in black. The ideal outfit for travel, best worn in first class, or for a trip to its spa.
Luca Faloni
For a smart take on loungewear sets, keep the colours tonal but switch up the details; Italian luxury label Luca Faloni creates timeless wardrobe essentials in muted palettes such as this set in mottled charcoal grey, with different jumper options with neck style, zip options, or this version in cable knit.
Cozy Earth
US brand Cozy Earth is here to elevate your everyday basics – loungewear, sheets, towels and the like – into something more special. The designs are simple, but made more luxurious with the use of high-end, ethically-produced textiles created exclusively for the brand. Oh, and the lounge sets? Some of the softest we’ve worn; for long-haul flights where comfort is a must, they’re a sure bet.
