The Best Pants for Travel vary on the types of traveller. If you search for Best Travel Pants you will be sent every which way for light weight, easy to wash, tough to wrinkle options. All of these specialty options are probably great if you want to climb mountains or are travelling for months on end on a shoe string and need to do your laundry in a sink.
For the rest of us who want to wander the greatest cities of the world in actual clothing and not something that makes us stick out like, well a tourist. Plus making stylish outfits with clothing you wear on a regular basis and actually like as opposed to travel pants you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing in your day to day life will make you a happier traveler.
So instead these are the best travel pants you already have in your closet.
photo 1/2/3 pants from left to right 1/2/3/4/5/6/7
1. Best Travel Pants; Skinny Denim with Stretch
If you read People solely for what Celebs are wearing to the airport you will notice a common theme – skinny jeans. But not all skinny jeans are created equal. I have tried quite a few. Some make you feel like a stuffed sausage, others require constant adjustments and some are JUUUUUSSST right.
I personally recommend Yoga jeans. They are soft, have a flattering waist band and don’t bag out after a long flight. Another brand that makes a great skinny jean that won’t break the are from Madewell.
Not only are skinny jeans great for a flight but when you are wandering through one of the great cities you can count on them for the foundation of an easy put together look.
Keep in mind that denim doesn’t require washing after every wear. In fact denim aficionados will say that you don’t want to wash your jeans for months at a time! But for the rest of us we can get away with packing one or two pairs and wearing them in high rotation while on vacation. Spot clean spills and you won’t have to worry about long drying times.
2. Best Travel Pants; Ponte
I am a firm believer that leggings are not pants. But a ponte pant, which is generally a thicker stretch pant, has enough structure that if you chose to wear them without a longer sweater or top you can still pull it off. But watch some of the most shared airport outfits and you will see that these type of pants are typically paired with tall boots and a long cardigan.
Pack some longer tees and a great white shirt to create classic looks for sightseeing.
Much like denim because of the heavier construction you can get away without washing these pants for a few wears, unlike leggings which will look sloppy and slept in after one wear.
3. Best Travel Pants; relaxed, updated chino
When you are traveling to warmer countries it might make more sense to pack something a bit more relaxed as opposed to only skinny pants. I am really liking the relaxed light weight cotton styles. Even paper bag waist pants are coming back in a big way.
These pants are made of lighter fabrics and looser construction which allow for a cooler laid back vibe.
If you are like me and prefer pants to shorts, especially when there is a lot of walking involved these are an option to add to your suitcase. Especially if you are going to be moving from country to country and you need to pack for moderate and hot temperatures.
Cuff this style at the ankle and pair with sandals or booties.
The only drawback to this style is wrinkles. Especially the lighter weight the fabric the more likely you are going to have to deal with wrinkles. Make some use of the iron in the room or pack a travel steamer to battle the wrinkles.
What pants do you wear for travel? Did they make the Best Travel Pants list?
Find more of my travel style inspiration over on Pinterest.