14 Transitional Travel Wear Pieces for Spring

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

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Rain, snow, clouds, and sunshine all in one day? Spring is here, and you better pack accordingly. These 14 transitional travel wear pieces for spring will have you prepared for any type of weather.

Transitional Travel Wear for Spring

Whether your spring trip is taking you to the mountains or the city, these travel wear essentials have you covered.

Fjallraven Greenland Wind Jacket

A lightweight wind- and waterproof jacket with a hood is a must-have for unpredictable spring weather. I love Fjallraven’s Greenland Wind Jacket (available for men and women), because it’s roomy enough to layer underneath when you need extra warmth, but still packs down small enough to throw in your day bag. Its two roomy hand pockets are great for travel, and the hood can be adjusted so it will stay up on even the windiest day. The women’s version comes in stylish colors and is cut with a flattering, not boxy, shape.

Keen Terradora Ethos

Designed for the trails, Keen’s Terradora Ethos hiking shoes are still low-profile enough that you could wear them in a more urban environment without judgement. This shoe-sandal hybrid has vented sides to keep you cool, and an easy bungee tie that’s easy to slip on or off at airport security.

Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket Proof T-Shirt Dress

A T-shirt dress is a great travel wear piece for spring, since you can easily layer both on the top with a cardigan and the bottom with leggings. This one by Clever Travel Companion is the best one for travel thanks to its two hidden zippered pockets that are large enough to hold a cellphone, passport, and keys.

Orvis Active Fit Chino & Slim Stretch Walking Pants

There’s nothing worse than wearing soggy jeans after getting caught in a spring downpour. Your travel wear should be something that dries quickly and repels water, like these options from Orvis. The women’s Slim Stretch Walking Pants have a stretch waistband (with no zippers or buttons) that’s super comfortable even if you’re sitting on a plane for a long time. They’re made from a rayon/nylon/spandex blend that’s not restrictive and dries quickly after a rain.

For men, the Active Fit Chinos are a travel-friendly spin on the traditional pant, adding in a little lycra stretch to their easy-to-clean material.

Allbirds Skippers

Would you wear shoes made from trees? Although the concept doesn’t sound super comfortable, the new Allbirds Skippers certainly are. The stylish boat shoes are made from an ultra-lightweight, eco-friendly eucalyptus pulp, which feels amazingly smooth and helps keep your feet cool. The tucked-in laces are made from recycled polyester, and insoles made with a merino wool fabric that’s a great travel wear essential for spring is soft, moisture-wicking, and cool. If you love the comfort of the cult-favorite Allbirds runners, the Skippers are a more fashion-friendly (but just as cushy) option.

Toad & Co Indigo Ridge Shirt

Made from 100 percent organic cotton, Toad & Co’s Indigo Ridge Shirt is designed to work in the most casual situations: wear it as a swimsuit cover-up, pair it with jeans for the office. It’s lightweight and loose-fitting so you won’t be too hot, even if the temperatures are. Best of all, the front pockets are functional for travel necessities.

Craghoppers Luna Tights

Spring signals the beginning of hiking season, and Craghopper’s Insect Shield Luna Tights, which will protect you from both bugs and sun while on any outdoor adventure. They are flexible, comfortable, and much thicker/durable than standard tights—and they have plenty of pockets.

Nuu-Muu Dress

Nuu-Muu dresses are designed with activity in mind—these are dresses that you can sweat and move in. The silky polyester and four-way-stretch spandex blend lets you move and protects you from the sun, and it dries quickly as a beach cover-up. These dresses don’t look like active-wear, so you can wear them on pretty much any portion of your vacation. All dresses are sewn in the USA, and some models have hidden pockets in the back as well.

Pact Henley & Leggings

Pact uses a super-soft organic cotton in all of their clothing, which makes them great for long travel days. I like their leggings, which are opaque enough to wear on their own but still slim enough to layer under a dress. Pair them with the Henley Tee (available for men here) for the perfect cozy plane outfit.

Aventura Vibe Legging & Tempo Top

I consider pockets an essential part of workout gear, which is why Aventura’s Vibe Leggings are so perfect. These luxurious feeling bottoms have two large side pockets that can fit even the largest smartphone, plus a rear zipper pocket at the back waist so you can go jogging without losing your keys.

Wear them with the Tempo Top, which is moisture-wicking and has a flattering ruched design, and you’ll be ready to tackle any spring workout.

Toad & Co Cue Wrap Dress

A casual wrap dress is another spring travel wear must-have: Wear it over a swimsuit to the beach, or roll it up in your suitcase so you’ll have an easy option for a nice dinner out. Toad & Co’s Cue Wrap Dress works great on warmer spring days, and can easily be added to with layers for chillier nights. This dress packs easily thanks to its wrinkle-resistance, breathable fabric blend, and it has two pockets which allow you to leave your purse behind.

More from SmarterTravel:

Caroline Morse Teel is always on the hunt for travel essentials for spring. Follow Caroline on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for style and travel photos.

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