Choosing what to wear for a road trip can be harder than you think. You want to look cute, but you also want to be comfy, so you want your clothes to have some structure but not be too stiff.
You also don’t want them to be too stretchy and be three sizes too big by the time you get to your destination!
To help you plan your next road trip wardrobe, we put together a little guide for choosing what to wear the next time you hit the road, complete with some helpful hints and a few outfit suggestions.
Let’s start with some helpful tips:
- Comfy Shoes Are a Must
Odds are, you’re going to be in and out of the car pretty frequently. Whether it’s to run into a gas station, pose for the perfect photo op, stretch your legs, or get out and explore your surroundings, you’re going to want to have comfy shoes that you can easily slip off and on. And, if you’re worried about creating the perfect look, don’t. There are a ton of shoes that are as stylish as they are comfy.
- Layer Up
Unless you’re traveling somewhere where the temp is just plain hot, you may want to wear or have an extra layer handy. It can be as simple as a flannel or denim jacket, but it never hurts to have a little something extra to have on hand just in case.
- When Considering Your Bag, Think Big
Oftentimes, a mini crossbody for vacation simply won’t do. We suggest grabbing a tote bag, medium to large messenger bag, or backpack with plenty of pocket space for organizing and carrying everything you could need.
- Sometimes, It’s the Little Things
Don’t forget those little must-haves, like hair ties, sunnies, and chapstick. Whether you’re a fan of windows being down or not, it never hurts to have some extra hair ties in case you need to toss your hair up in a bun or ponytail. Likewise, your eyes are guaranteed to get a little heavy from all of the driving, and too much sun exposure can be hard on your eyes, so make sure you’ve got a good pair of sunglasses with you.
It also never fails that our lips tend to chap the most when we’re away from home and on the road. Don’t forget to pack an extra chapstick in case you desperately need some.
Now that you’re prepared for the trip itself, let’s talk fashion. We’ve collected some of the most essential road trip pieces that you’ll absolutely want to have packed in your bag.
Get Your Leggings On
(image via travel ideas)
No matter where you’re traveling or how long you’re going to be cooped up in a car, you can never go wrong with leggings. The best part? There are a million different ways to style them.
We love the idea of pairing leggings with a graphic t-shirt, the perfect flannel, and some retro sneakers. This pretty much fits our criteria of being comfy, having layers, wearing comfy shoes, and being ready to for whatever photo op that may present itself.
Get the look: OFFLINE OG High Waisted Legging, $19.95 (shop here) / Found Classic Graphic Tee, $38 (shop here) / Men’s Brushed Flannel Shirt, $50 (shop here) / Adidas Sleek Super 72 Shoes, $100 (shop here)
Cut Off Denim? Yes, Please
(image via livingly)
Another piece of clothing that can never do you wrong is that pair of cut-off denim shorts that fit like a glove. Pair your best denim shorts with a plain white tee and, you guessed it, a flannel, and you’ve got a super comfy and super cute outfit to face the day in. We also paired ours with Birkenstocks and a bandana headband.
Get the look: 501 Original Women’s Shorts, $69.50 (shop here) / EveryWear V-Neck Tee, $8 (shop here) / AE Oversized Plain Flannel Shirt, $50 (shop here) / Mayari Birko-Flor Nubuck Mocha, $100 (shop here) / Bandana-Print Multi-Wear Headwrap, $13.50 (shop here)
Don’t Sweat It
(image via we heart it)
Again, we think you absolutely cannot go wrong with leggings on a road trip. This time, we paired leggings with a cropped sweatshirt and, of course, some retro sneakers. This is a great outfit for all you explorers that like to step out of the car and do a little hiking now and then.
Get the look: GAP Basic Leggings, $29.95 (shop here) / Bae Hoodie, $88 (shop here) / Reebok Club C 85 Model Vintage Women’s Shoes, $70 (shop here)