How to Look Great and Stay Comfortable on a Plane: Pants Edition

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at editor@smartertravel.com.

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There are all sorts of reasons you might want to look nice on your next flight. You’re hoping for a style-based upgrade. You need to arrive at your destination looking sharp and ready to go. You are determined to take a fabulous stand against the sweat-casual look. It’s just who you are.

Whatever your motivation, there are some excellent options for travelers who want to look great while maintaining a high level of comfort on flights. We’ve tested all of these pants to make sure they’re as attractive and comfortable as they claim to be. And with three different price points, there’s a great option for everyone.

Want to see a version of this article for men’s pants? Let us know in the comments section!

Betabrand

(Photo: Betabrand)

If you simply must wear yoga pants on the plane, you can still elevate your look with this clever option. Betabrand, proud purveyor of trouser innovations including corporate ladder climbing pants and the karate casual pants, has also engineered dress yoga pants.

The dress yoga pant ($78) is a rayon blend fabric adorned with a faux zipper and button, as well as fake pockets and belt loops for a dress-pant look. Put them on, however, and all you’ll feel is comfy, stretchy delight. They’re best for travel to temperate destinations, since is a bit heavy for hot destinations. But that’s also what makes them great for chilly planes and air conditioned office environments.

Uniqlo

(Photo: Uniqlo)

Uniqlo’s Women Satin Easy Print Ankle Length Pants ($30) offer easy-breezy style and comfort at the lowest price point. Designed with versatility in mind, they can be dressed up or down convincingly, and come in two color patterns. Uniqlo even manages to pull off an attractive elastic waistband, a definite plus when you’re sitting for hours on flights.

These pants fit certain body types better than others, so you may have to experiment a bit to find the right match.

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(Cover photo: Betabrand)

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