Heading off on a trip and don’t know what to wear? Whether you’re venturing to the airport, the train station, or in the car, one thing’s for sure: Comfort is non-negotiable. Sure, trusty leggings and cozy sweats are MVPs, but, sometimes, you want to look a little more “effortless jet-setter” and a little less “just rolled out of bed.” Enter: travel pants.
When curating our list of the best travel pants, we held them to sky-high standards: They needed to be versatile enough to wear straight off the plane and into whatever adventure awaits, comfy enough for the bizarre yoga-esque positions you’ll find yourself in while attempting to sleep on a long-haul flight, and stylish enough to pair seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe (and avoid the dreaded overpacking guilt). Bonus points to pants with practical perks like wrinkle resistance, technical fabrics, and — the holy grail — pockets.
Meet our 29 favorite travel pants below. Once you experience the magic of sweat-wicking, breezy, and polished bottoms that don’t scream “athleisure overload,” we promise you’ll never look back.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
When your travel day calls for comfort and personality, these drapey wide-leg pants deliver both.
Old Navy High-Waisted Playa Wide-Leg Pants, $, available at Old Navy
Gap Linen-Blend Relaxed Straight Ankle Pants
Lean into the butter yellow trend with these breezy pants — perfect for a travel day en route to your sunny beach escape.
Gap Linen-Blend Relaxed Straight Ankle Pants, $, available at Gap
Ann Taylor Weekend Collection Belted Wide-Leg Ankle Pant
Comfy tailored cotton wide-legs? That’s just good business trip sense.
Ann Taylor Weekend Collection Belted Wide-Leg Ankle Pant, $, available at Ann Taylor
Damson Madder Piper Waffle Jogger
Your basic jogger is shaking. Red waffle fabric and contrast picot trim just raised the bar.
Damson Madder Piper Waffle Jogger, $, available at Damson Madder
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Bootcut Pant
Quince has done it again — first with its washable silk, now with its ultimate travel pant, combining the sleek silhouette of dress trousers with the comfort of your favorite yoga bottoms. The pull-on style and four-way stretch make it as functional as it is stylish — perfect for running, squatting, mid-flight naps, or anything else your day throws at you. Honestly, we wouldn’t blame you for wearing it to work, too. It also comes in four different inseam lengths.
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Bootcut Pants, $, available at Quince
Treasure & Bond Pleated Wide Leg Pull-On Pants
Light, airy, and totally utility-coded. These high-waist, wide-leg pants are perfect for snoozing in flight and wearing straight off the plane.
Treasure & Bond Pleated Wide Leg Pull-On Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
SPANX AirEssentials Brushed Straight Leg Pant
Comfort meets polish: These straight-leg pants have a silky-soft feel, four-way stretch, and pintuck details for a more refined travel look — perfect for long-haul flights, road trips, and beyond.
SPANX AirEssentials Brushed Straight Leg Pant, $, available at SPANX
Lululemon Dance Studio Relaxed-Fit Mid-Rise Cargo Pant
Pockets make the difference between good travel pants and great ones — and this mid-rise cargo style from Lululemon ticks all the right boxes, blending all-day function with effortless style.
Lululemon Dance Studio Relaxed-Fit Mid-Rise Cargo Pant, $, available at Lululemon
Pilcro The Izzie Relaxed Pull-On Barrel Pants
Bring the barrel-leg trend to travel days with these twill pull-on pants. A gently tapered fit and rave reviews ensure a comfort-plus feel through every leg of the journey.
Pilcro The Izzie Relaxed Twill Pull-On Barrel Pants, $, available at Anthropologie
Caslon Wide Leg Linen Pants
Pajama-level swish meets go-anywhere polish. These linen-blend wide-legs are as easy as they are elevated.
Caslon Wide Leg Linen Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
Rag & Bone Miramar Terry Wide-Leg Pant
Hear us out — jeans, yes, but not really jeans. These super-soft, denim-lookalike wonders come highly recommended by stylish women for comfort-first moments, from marathon travel days to pregnancy. A must-try for their exceptional softness.
rag & bone Miramar Terry Wide-Leg Pant, $, available at rag & bone
The Group Haven Pant
These high-rise pull-on pants keep you cool and comfortable on the move. The sweat-wicking fabric feels sleek, while the relaxed wide-leg fit makes long hours easier.
Laid-back and utility-driven, these cargo pants are built for travel days. An elastic waist keeps things comfortable, while roomy pockets stash essentials within reach.
We The Free Park Ave Pants, $, available at Free People
Mango Wide Leg Knit Pants
Polished but low effort — these refined knit pants bring stretch comfort with a sophisticated drape. The wide-leg silhouette and elastic waist make them a first-class choice for travel days.
Mango Wide Leg Knit Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
Vuori Halo Essential Wideleg
Do you dream of Vuori’s DreamKnit? Same. These ultra-soft wide-leg pants deliver that signature feel — with a mid-rise fit, drawcord waist, and front slash pockets — perfect for travel days or laid-back lounging.
Vuori Halo Essential Wideleg, $, available at Vuori
OFFLINE By Aerie Real Me Xtra Trouser
Meet the Aerie Xtra Trouser: buttery-soft with a super-wide waistband that hugs comfortably and a wide leg to balance a fitted top. Pair it with an oversized shirt or classic sweater for a non-try-hard, put-together vibe.
OFFLINE by Aerie Real Me XTRA High Waisted Trouser, $, available at Aerie
Dôen Hilaire Pant
These vintage-inspired palazzo pants offer retro charm with ease. The horn button detail at the high waistband adds to their timeless character.
The iconic swish of ’90s-inspired parachute pants is like an audible time machine, triggering nostalgic vibes we’re fully into for travel days. And with sweet tie bows in the mix? We’re swooning.
Daily Practice by Anthropologie Full Twist Pants, $, available at Anthropologie
Emerson Fry Midnight Tulip Wide Leg Pants
As smart as they are roomy, these pants practically guarantee you’ll at least look the part of a business class upgrade.
Emerson Fry Midnight Tulip Wide Leg Pants, $, available at Tuckernuck
Everlane The Dream Pant
Wrinkle-resistant and business-ready (thanks to the pintuck detailing), these cotton-blend pants rival the comfort of your favorite sweats.
The look of trousers with the ease of a drawstring? That’s the kind of duality we love — perfect for channeling the polished vibe of travel’s golden era on your next work trip or adventure.
Abercrombie & Fitch Menswear Pull-On Pant, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
J.Crew Factory Kelsey Flare Pant
Unburdened by legit work pants on a plane? Say hello to these cute kick-flares crafted from a so-soft cotton blend — equally smart with a blazer and loafers as they are with a crewneck sweatshirt and sneakers. Available in classic, petite, and tall lengths.
J.Crew Factory Kelsey Flare Pant, $, available at J.Crew Factory
Cou Cou Intimates The Pant
Who knew cute pointelle could be travel-ready? Pair with the coordinating tank and a comfy half-zip for so-cozy airport style.
Not your average track pant — these polished wide-leg trousers bring a sleek upgrade to sporty style. With a relaxed fit and an adjustable waist, they’re equal parts comfort and cool for travel days and beyond.
Reformation Julien Poplin Pant, $, available at Reformation
Alex Mill Riley Pant
Travel days call for pants that feel like pajamas but look pulled together. Made from ultra-soft lyocell, this drapey pair keeps things breezy, comfy, and effortlessly polished.
Alex Mill Riley Pant in Drapey Twill, $, available at Alex Mill
Athleta Brooklyn Mid-Rise Ankle Pant
Side-panel pants with a professional punch? Count us in. They bring ventilation and a subtle textural twist to your look, and they're available in regular, tall, and petite lengths.
Athleta Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant, $, available at Athleta
Eloquii Side Stripe Track Pants
These track pants blend comfort with polish, making them perfect for travel days. The rich burgundy hue elevates the sporty silhouette, while the wrinkle-resistant ponte fabric and wide-leg fit keep things easy from takeoff to touchdown.
Eloquii Side Stripe Track Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
Madewell Satin Pull-On Straight Pants
Hop aboard the satin pant trend in transit — nothing looks more luxe (without the fuss or discomfort).
Madewell Pull-On Straight Satin Pants, $, available at Madewell
Spiritual Gangster Victoria Rib Pants
These ribbed flares nail two trends in one — a textured knit and a subtly flared leg. Soft, stretchy, and kissed with wool, they’re the perfect blend of style and warmth for chilly plane cabins.
Spiritual Gangster Victoria Rib Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
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All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Refinery 29’s Global Fashion Director Irina Grechko knows a thing or two (or twenty-two!) about what makes a good fashion investment. Watch this space monthly to get answers to all your shopping questions, and insights on the season’s top trends and covetable styles, as Irina shares her shopping picks as if it’s her job… because it is.
After years of working in fashion and traveling everywhere from Japan to London and Iceland for work, I’ve got my packing down to an art — I rarely bring more than I need (if only so I have room in my suitcase for all the destination shopping). I have my favorite luggage brands (Rimowa and Away), my must-have travel jewelry and cosmetics cases (Tumi), and, most importantly, my go-to outfit formulas.
In terms of the latter, what has helped me streamline my packing is to identify the “theme” of the trip. If I am traveling for Fashion Week, I start planning outfits with shoes, which need to be comfortable — as I am constantly on the move and need to be able to jump on a subway or walk briskly when running late — but presentable. If I am going on a more leisurely trip, I will pick a few colors and plan looks around them for maximum outfit combos. Regardless of where I go, every piece of clothing needs to work with at least two other pieces in my suitcase.
Most recently, this technique has served me when I was away for 10 days in Paris during Fashion Week. Ahead, my go-to packing list.
Next step is looking at the bottoms that will work with my shoes. When settling on a color palette for a work trip, I tend to stick to neutrals for maximum versatility and outfit options. For me, this tends to mean dark-wash, tailored jeans; a go-with-everything white denim midi skirt; and a pair of classic navy, black, or olive trousers (I went with navy this season).
Packing List: Tops
I don’t overthink tops when traveling, packing my favorite tried-and-true (if boring) tees, button-downs, and sweaters. In addition to the staples, I bring blazers that can also double as tops (see photo above), as well as turtlenecks for extra texture or a pop of color (Pleats Please Issey Miyake styles work great for this).
In the last two months, no top has gotten more traction in my closet than this Mango blouse. I throw it underneath suits (see photo below), leather jackets, and sweaters for an instant element of drama that elevates what could otherwise be perceived as a basic look.
Packing List: Suit
Speaking of suits, after years of bringing dresses that I would wear only once on trips, I began to pack skirt and pant suits instead. These are so versatile — not only can you wear a matching set together for a look that doesn’t take more than a few minutes to put together (great for mornings when you’re running late), but you can also sport them separately with other items in the suitcase. I love the look of a wool pant tucked into a high-knee boot, or a striped blazer over a more casual mariniere tee or an athletic polo shirt.
Packing List: Outerwear
Some fashion editors consider coats the most important part of the outfit during the cold-weather season. And while that’s true — when editors run from show to show in February, their outerwear is the only thing you see — if I were to bring a coat for every day of PFW, I would have to lug two suitcases and still not have room for anything else.
Instead, for versatility, I tend to stick to a few oversized outerwear silhouettes. That way, I can create layered looks underneath and cheat the image of more looks than I actually have in my suitcase by wearing the jackets open and closed. This waxed Barbour jacket (a signature of the brand for a very good reason) looks equally good with a sweater underneath as over it. Meanwhile, the Mango leather jacket with adjustable zippers that move both ways (photo below) can be worn to highlight the top or the bottom part of the outfit.
Packing List: Accessories
Shoes aside, my accessories are limited to three handbags — two medium-sized crossbodies and an evening-appropriate (and flat) bag that could range from an oversized clutch (see suit photo) to a small shoulder style (photo above) — in solid colors that go with every possible look, as well as a mix of chunky gold and silver earrings that can dress up a simple outfit.
After years of receiving scarves as gifts, and thanks to my Instagram algorithm that’s now filled with styling hacks, I’ve begun to take advantage of my collection and adding them to my must-pack list, not only wearing them around my neck but as ties, belts, headbands, and bag accessories.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
In any given year, there are a few banner moments that bubble up in the fashion world well before they take over the zeitgeist. (One obvious example: Valentino’s entirely pink fall/winter 2022 collection showed more than 16 months before Barbie hit theaters and Barbiecore became inescapable.) While there are myriad elements that factor into the trend cycle, spring collections are typically most indicative of the moments that will define the following year. And if the latest crop of shows is any indication, there’s no shortage of (style) optimism in 2025 (in spite of…everything).
There are more than enough trends that feel like walking contradictions. (For example, traditionally grungy plaid takes on a more refined approach at Bottega Veneta and Burberry.) Still, many sartorial threads point to a more whimsical, almost idiosyncratic take on dressing in 2025: Once-sharp suiting is softened; athleisure enjoys a palpable, office-ready refinement; and undeniably joyous, more-is-more magpie moments rule at brands like Schiaparelli, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. (It’s impossible to take yourself too seriously in a bubble skirt.)
Some may posit that we’ve over-indexed on fantasy — however, there are plenty of more wearable trends set to ascend in the new year that you can start shopping now. Discover them ahead, along with the exact styles we’re eyeing for 2025 dressing.
A typical capsule wardrobe features black, white, and perhaps a pop of navy but designers are expanding the definition of neutral. We’ve reached meme-levels of saturation on brown suede, and the most mellow of the earth tones — rich camels, chocolates, butter yellows, and even burgundies — seem to be having their moment in the sun.
At Hermès, camels step in where creams or blacks once dominated, while Bottega Veneta’s ultra-saturated wine red finds its way to dresses and blazers. The latter hue peppers collections from Tibi, Simkhai, and Tanner Fletcher, too. For its part, Max Mara relies upon deep chocolate browns and khakis for the better half of its most recent offerings. For a truly modern take on the trend, try mixing each with black — it’s refined, elevated, and just the right amount of unexpected.
Fashion Trend 2025: Bubbling Up
If the unlikely comeback of the bubble skirt — an ‘80s relic and much-slandered, socialite-favorite silhouette of the early aughts — is any indication, fashion has traded its love affair with the ‘90s for the decade prior.
The item entered the sartorial ether earlier this year but spring/summer 2025 sees its test run evolve into a fully fledged curve obsession. At Stella McCartney, toga-like dresses drape over the shoulder and sweep the torso to reveal a bubbled-hemmed mini. Similarly, Nicklas Skovgaard — an early adopter of the trend back in 2023 — offers generous iterations of his signature silhouette. Meanwhile, hoop skirts, impossibly voluminous dresses and a general embrace of curves make their way into collections from JW Anderson, Who Decides War, Erdem, Loewe, and Junya Watanabe (though time will tell if those are runway exclusives).
Fashion Trend 2025: Power Leg
Every season introduces a true, capital-F Fashion trend. Fall 2023 saw the rise of hot pants. Before that, it was the micro-mini. Spring/Summer 2025 is shaping up to be the season of the power leg.
Designers love a hybrid (see: the scarf coat), and while this trend isn’t exactly rooted in practicality, it’s nothing short of fun. Victoria Beckham, Bottega Veneta, Polo Ralph Lauren, Courrèges, and Coperni are all riffing on the same idea in varying iterations: Beckham slices a pair of burgundy trousers from shin to mid-thigh to reveal a sliver of black satin shorts, Coperni put Amelia Gray Hamlin in a slim-legged style, and Matthieu Blazy dressed models in a three-way pants-shorts-skirt hybrid that reveals only one calf in full. The favoritism lives on at Courrèges and Proenza Schouler, where asymmetrical silhouettes, which also included skirts, showcase a single gam.
Credit should go to Eckhaus Latta and Maryam Nassir Zadeh, who each had one-legged looks in their respective spring 2023 shows — 2025, though, may be the year it finally goes mainstream (hey, a girl can dream).
Fashion Trend 2025: Sheer Genius
The sheer trend has had a chokehold on fashion for a few seasons now, but designers aren’t just leaning into it for spring/summer 2025 — they’re building entire collections around fluid, diaphanous fabrics that are made to move.
At Totême, Dries Van Noten, Marina Moscone, and Simone Rocha, gossamer-light silks that catch the slightest breeze take center stage in the form of twisted tulle skirts and sheer, sheathlike overdresses cut on the bias that lend an ephemeral feel to a simple silk gown. Sure, we’ve seen the soft power of a layer of tulle, romanticized to show the female form; even more relevant are the gauzy maxi dresses, button-downs and flowing pants that let underthings shine through.
Fashion Trend 2025: All The Accoutrements
It’s as if bag charms were just a foreshadowing. Never mind that Nicolas Ghesquière’s Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2025 and cruise 2025 collections are lessons in over-layering, or that Ann Demeulemeester found inspiration in a Bella Donna-era Stevie Nicks for its most recent outing. The vibe for the new year is more is more is more is…well, you get it.
A direct challenge to quiet luxury, it’s as though designers finally discovered the antithesis of that oft-maligned Coco Chanel quote — and they found it in bows, brocades, bowling bags, and other magpie moments that would typically age you. The only rule is that there are no rules, so go ahead — wear the stripes and the polka dots and the sparkles with the three necklaces.
Fashion Trend 2025: Sporty Spice
As a concept, athleisure — which began as a trend among Los Angeles twentysomethings of wearing leggings and sports bras outside of Pilates — has morphed into a full-blown style profile. For spring, it’s finally dipping its feet into office-appropriate territory, as pioneered by Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren, Tolu Coker, Tommy Hilfiger, and The Attico.
We’re seeing colorblocked windbreakers paired beautifully with evening wear-forward midi and maxi skirts (a banner silhouette of the season). Meanwhile, funnel-neck anoraks, jersey-style tunics, track separates, short-sleeve polo dresses and details like a contrast half-zip offer a more subtle take at Lacoste, Ganni and Ferragamo. Miu Miu is even turning its now-infamous boy shorts into a sport-utility version of the trend, so you know it’s real.
Fashion Trend 2025: Soft Suiting
After consecutive seasons of sharp tailoring comes a welcome turn toward softness. Saint Laurent’s billowing, oversized suits lead the charge, though it isn’t hard to find softer edges, slouchier trousers and silken suit shorts, if you’re looking for them. (See: Dries Van Noten, Stella McCartney, Carven.) While lapels are still cut with precision, bottoms enjoy a drapey, almost juvenilely baggy fit, as though some of the models at Loewe and Tibi had popped on their dads’ Wall Street uniforms two decades too soon. They’re pieces that would struggle to keep their shape off the hanger — which is exactly the kind of softness we’re craving.
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Reflecting on the top color trends of 2024, a few contenders swiftly come to mind. Charli xcx’s Brat Green was the loud, abrasive color no one could escape, Pantone deemed Peach Fuzz the must-have color of the year, and at a certain point in time, it was impossible to leave the house and not see someone trotting around in siren red socks or tights. It was a year that embraced a diverse range of expressive hues, cementing the truth that there’s always room for color in your wardrobe, no matter your personal style.
In 2025, there are a few standout colors that are likely to gain traction. The spring/summer 2025 runways offer a peek at what’s to come, as does the street style and influencer circuit, which is already embracing powdery pastels (icy blue and petal pink, to name a couple), saturated tones of green and red, and a certain shade of brown that we predict will be everywhere in no time flat. If you’re keen to begin incorporating these into your outfits now, read on for our predictions of the colors that’ll define 2025 fashion.
2025 Color Trend: 24K Gold
While butter yellow is surely on your radar already, a richer tone — 24k gold — is popping up on the runways of labels like Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, and Gabriela Hearst, emphasizing the impact of a confident hue. Similar to 24k jewelry, with its lustrous, gold nugget-like appearance, this yellow can be incorporated as an accent, contrasted with muted neutrals or layered with a vibrant pattern to punctuate the look.
2025 Color Trend: Tea Rose
The impact of Barbiecore can’t be overstated and while hot pink may be shimmying out of the spotlight for now, an onslaught of designers are embracing a gentle tea rose hue in 2025. From Khaite’s dreamy dresses crafted in powdery pink swaths of silk gazar to Simone Rocha’s and Ferragamo’s ballet-adjacent, petal pink separates, all signs point toward another year of pink.
A brand-new year often calls for a zippy color to perk up your wardrobe. 2025’s answer to this? Marigold. This cheery yellow-orange is cropping up as an oh-so covetable skirt at Prada, a gorgeous asymmetrical ruffled skirt at Bottega Veneta, and a head-to-toe pleated dress at Simkhai (among several others) for spring.
2025 Color Trend: Cardinal Red
Siren red has been a staple color for the last few seasons — who can forget Tibi’s red socks paired with red ballet flats? Though the fiery hue will likely continue on its trajectory (it’s pretty timeless, after all), the 2025 runways have been pointing to cardinal red as a sultry alternative. Gucci’s purplish-red lace dress will be hard to resist once it hits shelves, as will Louise Trotter’s expertly crafted separates for Carven, which could be worn just as easily to the office as on a dinner date.
2025 Color Trend: Periwinkle
Every few years, periwinkle prances its way back into the trend cycle, reminding us just how striking this color really is. Stella McCartney’s a proponent of the fanciful hue, translating it into a dramatic sheer gown that would look impeccable on the red carpet. A subtler alternative can be found at Tod’s by way of a structural top (best paired with slouchy slacks and sandals). And for the ultimate party dress moment, Brandon Maxwell takes the cake with his eye-popping halter neck frock.
2025 Color Trend: Chocolate Brown
Rich, chocolate brown will play a starring role in 2025. This timeless neutral is among the easiest to style and manages to feel a bit more refined than a simple black or charcoal gray. Look to runways like Max Mara for inspiration on how to wear it: For spring, the brand weaves the elegant hue into a smattering of chic looks, from tailoring and evening attire to an oversized jacket and coordinated mini skirt that nods perfectly to ‘70s style.
2025 Color Trend: Frog Green
Brat Green took the fashion world by storm this year, but the hue is pivoting in a slightly quieter direction in the new year by way of frog green. These grassy hues have become a favorite on runways that often have a hand in setting trends — think Sandy Liang’s cool-girl separates and Victoria Beckham’s memorable green gown worn by Gigi Hadid.
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