Travel Clothes for Women: Travel Pants & Compression Socks

It doesn't matter if you're in the driving seat, or a certified passenger princess, Lorna Jane's travel clothes for women are designed for getting there, and not just about being there. Travel pants are a must have and if you only sort one thing before a long flight or drive, make it this and work the rest of the outfit around them. You've got relaxed shapes, soft brushed cotton and linen wide leg cargos, and heaps of them have an elasticated waist and a drawcord so you can set it and forget it. Super comfy travel tops, knee-length compression socks and travel bags round out the range. A lot of this comes from our lounge and lifestyle side, so think soft and adjustable rather than just activewear.

What Makes a Good Pair of Travel Pants

The stuff that matters on a travel day is the stuff you can change while you're wearing it. The Flashdance Pants have little tabs with buttons inside the leg, so you set the length yourself. That's handy when one pair has to work with sneakers at one end of the flight and sandals at the other. The waist is elastic with a drawcord, so you pull it in or let it out, and there's a multi-pocket set-up with a back pocket. Fabric is a breathable cotton blend, 97% cotton with 3% elastane, cut relaxed through the leg. The same style comes as a linen wide leg cargo, and the rest of the Flashdance pants run through to shorter lengths. If you want a slimmer leg, that's in women's pants.

Do Compression Socks Help on Long Flights?

Compression socks apply gentle pressure to the lower leg and foot. A knee-length pair covers the calf rather than stopping at the ankle, and compression is made in a range of strengths. Which strength suits you depends on why you're wearing them, so it's worth checking before you buy.

Our Soft Compression Socks are the pair for the plane. They sit at soft to moderate compression, knee-length, made for all-day support and comfort, with compression that promotes circulation. There's a cushioned sole and arch support under your foot too. The blend is mostly nylon with cotton and elastane through it. If you've been prescribed a compression strength, check what you need before you fly. Our Pilates and everyday pairs are in activewear socks.

How to Style a Travel Outfit for Long-Haul Flights

What works for a long-haul flight isn't what works for a road trip. Check your essentials: water bottles, belt bags and a travel yoga mat are all in travel accessories.

• Long-haul flights: Go elasticated waist with a drawcord and a relaxed leg, and put the compression socks on underneath.
• Overnight and red-eyes: Brushed cotton lounge pants with a long sleeve top, or start in loungewear if comfort is the whole brief.
• Carry-on and transfers: The LJ Duffle Bag is your one-bag option, with carry handles, a detachable adjustable strap and secure zip pockets for valuables. If you'd rather have your hands free, the backpacks and crossbodies are in travel bags.
• Warm-weather trips: Linen wide leg cargos with a tank, and the summer collection for anything else warm.
• Landing and going straight out: A washed cotton tee over the same pants, and you can go from the airport to wherever you're headed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are travel tracksuit sets and lounge sets good for flying?
A tracksuit set or lounge set gives you a matching top and bottom in the same fabric. Whether it works on a flight comes down to the waistband and the leg shape, so look for an elasticated or drawcord waist and a relaxed leg rather than a fitted one. Check the top layer is something you'd wear on its own once the jacket comes off.

Q: Should you take a duffle or a backpack as your carry-on?
Duffle bags are soft-sided and load from the top, which suits clothes and anything soft. Backpacks keep both hands free, which matters more if you're changing gates or getting public transport at the other end. A crossbody or belt bag alongside either one gives your phone, keys and wallet their own zip pocket.

Q: Can you wear travel tights and leggings on a plane?
Leggings or tights are a popular choice for flights. Our Liberty styles here are 81% nylon with 19% Lycra elastane, added for stretch and shape retention when you have hours just to keep still. Flared cuts sit looser through the lower leg than a full length legging, and ankle biters leave room if you'd rather wear compression socks over a shorter leg.

Q: Can you use the travel range as activewear?
Some of our travel styles are great for keeping active while you're on the move - literally! The Liberty leggings and Luxe Rib pants use nylon and elastane that moves sweat off your skin and dries fast. The brushed cotton lounge pants and woven cotton styles aren't made in those fabrics, so keep those for the travel day and downtime.