From the time commercial aviation was popularized after World War II through the late 60s/early 70s, travel had a certain decorum. Vintage photos and video show male passengers in tailored suits often paired with a hat while women donned their finest dresses, stockings and pumps. It’s no wonder the 1950s and 60s came to be known as the ``Golden Age of Commercial Aviation.” The crew? They were just as dapper with flight attendants well coiffed in sleek sets with silk blouses, white gloves and matching pillbox hats or overseas caps. In-flight dining was just as extravagant: multi-course meals served on elegant china atop crisp white linens. And after alcohol was made legal on flights in 1949, the dirty martinis and Tom Collinses flowed freely. 

Today you’re likely to see travelers donning pajama bottoms. And fuzzy slippers…or worse, barefoot in the cabin. Which both pair well with how unglamorous travel can be nowadays. 

We all want to travel comfortably, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice style. We rounded up some fashionable but functional must haves to stay both chic and sensible on the go.  

 

TATEJONES Dress for Women 

We are loving TATEJONES right now for its uncomplicated approach to modern, minimalistic, “go everywhere, do everything” clothing so much so that we’re carrying it at our flagship LEIGH retail storesustainable travel bagsin downtown Newport, Rhode Island. Clothes for men, women and an ungendered collection are all designed and made in L.A. using 100% domestic fabrics. With a commitment to environmental responsibility, TATEJONES produces limited runs of styles to prevent waste. Pieces are high quality and meant to be enjoyed for a long time. 

Our TATEJONES summer travel pick: the women’s one shoulder dress. Super soft and supple, pair it with a wide brim hat for an elegant look or a simple pair of tennis shoes for travel day comfort. 

 

KÜHL Travel Shorts for Men

Much like LEIGH and TATEJONES, KÜHL only sources their high-quality materials from environmentally conscious and ethically minded partners in addition to only producing limited runs so as not to waste resources. 

Our KÜHL summer travel pick: the men’s travel short. Whether on the open road or in the airport terminal, these lightweight  travel shorts are built for performance and comfort. Cut from advanced fabrics that offer year-round performance, zipped and hidden pockets allow men to stash easy grab-and-go essentials. 

Azzul Mules for Women

When we first met Manuel Rodrigues and learned more about his journey immigrating from Portugal  to America as a teenager, we knew it was kismet. Azzul’s Founder and Creative Director draws inspiration from his native country where the company’s shoes, sandals and boots are handcrafted by local artisans after being imagined by the creative New York-based designers. Today, we carry Azzul at our flagship LEIGH retail store in downtown Newport, Rhode Island. 

Our Azzul summer travel pick: the sardine embroidered mule for women. Made from naturally dyed canvas, these mules are leather lined with a padded leather insole and outsole. A low stacked heel offers the slightest lift and it’s easy-on-easy off design makes TSA screening a breeze. 

LEIGH ShoeCase for Everyone 

We couldn’t have a post about practical but ever-so-extraordinary must haves without including the piece that launched it all: the LEIGH Shoe Case. Specifically designed for you and your shoes, the LEIGH Shoe Case solves the most frustrating part of packing – shoes being haphazardly tucked into any available corner of your carry on (especially your…running sneakers). No, thank you. Give your shoes the amazingly sleek and functional new home they deserve. Our innovative sliding system lets you create custom compartments to accommodate the shoes you want to bring with you every time while the  Ionic+™ Antimicrobial lining keeps your  pieces odor-, mold- and mildew-free. Even better for your kicks? No crushing. No creasing. No stress. Carrie Bradshaw would be so proud. 

While no one expects haute couture when you’re one the go, kicking it up a notch will undoubtedly lift your spirits and put a little spring in your step. As they say, "There is no such thing as being overdressed; everyone else is simply underdressed."

Enter to win your own LEIGH ShoeCase Here!

 

X, Andrea

 

Andrea E. McHugh is a travel and lifestyle writer, food editor and content creator whose work has appeared in USA Today, Family Circle, Yankee Magazine, Yahoo! News, MSN, Travel Pulse, The Hartford Courant, Providence Journal and Daily Candy in addition to appearing on Good Morning America, featured in Conde Nast Traveler and more. She’s the founder of NewportStylephile.com. And in her free time (lol), Andrea blogs for LEIGH 2-3 times per month (lucky us)!