Jet-Set in Style: The Evolution of Airport Fashion

I don’t know about you, but my TikTok For You page is constantly inundated with “pack with me” and “get ready to travel with me” videos. When I’m tangled in the endless web of scrolling (and yes, I’m guilty of it), I find myself captivated by influencers with their chic suitcases, packing cubes, and meticulously planned outfits. Even if I’m lounging on my couch, these videos always make me eagerly anticipate my next traveling escapade.

While I love the excitement that comes with arriving at my destination, one of my favorite parts of a vacation isn’t actually when the plane lands. For me, it’s the lead-up to getting on the plane where I get to observe the different ways people dress to board their flights. Admittedly, I’m a bit of what I like to call a “gate stalker,” meaning I’m always eyeing the outfits I see on the way to my departure gate.

Airport fashion has come a long way from past decades when flying on an airplane was a major luxury reserved for society’s elite. From the 1950s to the 1960s, those wealthy enough to snag a seat on a plane wore their very best when traveling, with men looking perfectly tailored in their suits and the women donning their heels and fur coats to board the plane. 

The 1970s provided a more fun and rebellious take on airport style, a welcome change characterized by the socially defiant nature of the decade. Denim (We’re looking at you, bell bottoms), chunky boots, and casual silhouettes took over the airport scene. Aside from celebrities, people in the 1980s and 1990s had started to make the shift toward wearing their everyday looks to travel as flying became more and more accessible.

The 2000s and 2010s saw the rise of athleisure and comfort-focused fashion, with tracksuits, joggers, and the like becoming go-to picks for travelers–a trend that has extended into the present. Today, traveling often feels like a means to an end, a way to get from one point to another. It makes sense why we’ve shifted so drastically to comfortable styles when considering the minimal legroom and lengthy waiting times. But back then, travel was an artful affair, where every flying opportunity could double as a press opportunity for the upper class and starlets on board.

So how do we elevate our ensembles while keeping the ethos of comfort that defines the 2020s at the forefront? Blending comfortable fabrics and silhouettes with the right accessories and footwear will often do the trick! Take, for example, this adorable sweater set from Free People! Pair it with some statement jewelry and a pair of ankle boots for the perfect mix of cozy and chic. Bonus points if the knit set you pick is easier to layer, since you’ll be able to accommodate for any temperature shifts on the plane!

When I went to Las Vegas earlier this summer, I found myself using the same outfit formula for the trip there and back. After all, like Lizzie McGuire, I have no shame in being an outfit repeater. I like to pair a graphic tee and my favorite maxi skirt together with a pair of Adidas Sambas, some crew socks, and simple jewelry! This outfit encapsulates the fun, lowkey vibe that Gen Z has been bringing to the table this summer, and I can say from personal experience that it was super easy to put together.

So step onto the plane with style, and let practicality meet panache on the journey to your next destination. After all, the sky’s the limit!