The Airport Outfit I Reached for on My Midwest Trip
Elevated Layers for Chilly Midwest Mornings
There are some travel outfits that look good in theory, and then there are the ones you actually reach for over and over again. This is the second category.
I wore this outfit flying through Des Moines on one of those chilly Midwest mornings where the airport somehow feels colder than outside. I wanted to be comfortable enough for the gate, polished enough for the lounge, and layered enough to survive aggressive airport air conditioning without looking overly bundled.
This combination worked perfectly.
The foundation of the outfit is one of my favorite layering basics we’ve featured before: the long sleeve Trendy Queen tee. I reach for these constantly because they hold their shape, layer beautifully, and somehow always make an outfit feel a little more streamlined. They’re fitted without feeling restrictive, and they work just as well on their own as they do under jackets and cardigans.
Then there are the Spanx leggings.
If you know, you know.
They smooth, support, and lift in all the right places. They create that sleek, elongated silhouette that makes even a very comfortable airport outfit feel intentional instead of sloppy. I’ve tried a lot of travel leggings over the years, and these are still the ones I continue to repurchase.
The draped Spanx cardigan was the piece that really pulled everything together. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available directly from Spanx, but I actually found mine on Poshmark — and I see them pop up there constantly. Honestly, secondhand platforms are underrated for elevated basics like this. The faux leather detail gives it structure while still being incredibly comfortable for travel days.
The wool baseball cap may be one of the quiet heroes of the entire outfit. I specifically love that it has no visible logos. It feels sleek, minimal, and expensive-looking without trying too hard. The wool blend also makes it feel more elevated than a standard casual baseball cap while still being practical for chilly mornings and inevitable airport hair situations.
And finally: the white Vejas.
The crisp white sneakers completely changed the energy of the outfit. Without them, all the black layers could have started drifting into “heading to a funeral” territory. The bright white keeps everything modern, fresh, and balanced while still being incredibly comfortable for walking through terminals.
One of my favorite things about this formula is how easy it is to adjust on the return trip. Flying home, I wore the exact same outfit but swapped in a white shirt underneath instead. It completely changed the feel while still using the same core pieces — which is exactly the kind of travel packing strategy I love.
Because at the end of the day, that’s really the goal with elevated travel style:
fewer pieces, better combinations, and outfits that work hard without looking like they’re trying hard at all.
Elevated Pieces. Real Life. -LME
*I only share pieces I genuinely wear, use, and love. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
