The Fabrics I Always Pack

Over time, I’ve realized that fabrics matter more than trends — especially when airports, planes, and hotel conference rooms seem determined to alternate between Arctic-level air conditioning and unexpected warmth. The right materials help regulate temperature, layer beautifully, travel well, and somehow make even the simplest basics feel elevated.

I’m not interested in packing high-maintenance pieces that only look good for the first hour of a trip. I want fabrics that survive long airport days, changing weather, chilly flights, coffee runs, conference rooms, and real life — while still looking polished and intentional.

These are the fabrics I reach for over and over again.

Merino Wool

Merino wool has quietly become one of the hardest-working materials in my wardrobe.

I especially love merino in quarter-zip pullovers, tank tops, underwear, and lightweight outerwear like bomber jackets and long vests. It regulates temperature incredibly well, which makes it perfect for travel days when you’re constantly moving between freezing airports, warm Ubers, cold planes, and unpredictable weather.

What I love most is that merino feels elevated without trying too hard. It’s lightweight but warm, layers beautifully, rarely wrinkles, and somehow always manages to look polished — even after a long day of travel.

A good merino quarter zip is one of the first things I throw into my carry-on.

Mongolian Cashmere

Nothing elevates basics faster than good cashmere.

I constantly reach for Mongolian cashmere tees and long sleeve layers because they make even the simplest outfits feel more refined. The softness, drape, and texture instantly make an outfit feel intentional without relying on logos or trends.

I get most of my cashmere pieces from Quince because they’re reasonably priced while still feeling luxurious and elevated. Their cashmere layers have become staples in my wardrobe because they’re lightweight, comfortable, easy to layer, and look far more expensive than they actually are.

I especially love lightweight cashmere for travel because it works effortlessly under blazers, coats, and jackets without adding bulk. Airports are always cold, conference rooms are unpredictable, and a soft cashmere layer somehow always makes the entire outfit feel more pulled together.

The older I get, the more I appreciate fabrics that feel luxurious while still being wearable in real life — and good cashmere does exactly that.

Polyester + Spandex Blends

Some of my most-worn travel basics are actually polyester and spandex blends — especially the 88% polyester, 12% spandex tees from Trendy Queen that I talk about constantly.

Both the long sleeve and short sleeve versions have become staples for me because they hold their shape beautifully, resist wrinkles, layer effortlessly, and wash incredibly well. They’re fitted without feeling restrictive and structured enough to look polished with very little effort.

I love fabrics like this for travel because they work hard behind the scenes. They pack easily, dry quickly, don’t demand special care, and still look clean and elevated after a long day of airports, meetings, errands, or hotel check-ins.

Sometimes the pieces that look the most elevated are actually the ones that are the easiest to wear.

Bonus: Spanx’s Nylon + Elastane Blend

I also have to mention the nylon and elastane blends that Spanx uses in some of their leggings because they’ve become some of my most reliable travel pieces.

The Booty Boost leggings are one of my airport staples because they smooth, support, and hold everything in place without feeling stiff or uncomfortable. They’re flattering, easy to move in, and polished enough to pair with elevated layers like blazers, cashmere, or structured jackets.

They’re also thick enough to feel supportive without being see-through, which is surprisingly hard to find in travel leggings.

I also love the Body Line leggings with full tummy compression for long travel days. They feel supportive in a way that still remains wearable for hours, and the fabric has enough structure to keep the outfit looking sleek and intentional while still being comfortable enough for flights, driving days, or running through terminals.

These kinds of performance blends are a perfect example of what I mean when I say that good fabrics make outfits look more expensive.

Luxury Starts with Texture

One of the easiest ways to make an outfit feel more elevated has nothing to do with logos or trends. It’s texture.

Soft cashmere, refined merino, structured knits, smooth layering fabrics — those details completely change the feel of an outfit before accessories even enter the conversation.

The more I travel, the more I pay attention to how fabrics wear, move, wash, and hold up over time. Great style starts with pieces you genuinely want to live in.

And the right materials make even the simplest outfits look a little more expensive. -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.