The Case for an Airport Uniform

A couple weeks ago, I landed on a Caribbean island. This week, in a Rocky Mountain town. I wore the same thing for both journeys. Sunny heat. Chilly elevation. Doesn’t matter. Every year, I find an airport outfit and stick with it.

Travel days melt my desire for control. From Uber pickup to plane touchdown, someone else is in charge. The apps tell me where to be and when. The gate agent tells me when to board. The pilot tells me when to sit back and relax. I just follow orders. It’s why a uniform has become my airport norm. One less decision to make on days that don’t require many.

My travel outfit won’t be your travel outfit. Too personal. But if all else fails, you may copy mine. You could do worse.

Airports look like slumber parties. People wear pajama pants, slippers, pillows around their necks. I believe dressing well is a public courtesy. And no place could use more courtesy than the airport.

A light jacket polishes any look.

I was in Nashville for work. My wife told me to check out Imogene + Willie. Which is where I found this jacket. The Utility Coat in Hickory Stripe. Lived-in feel. Lifetime quality. Plus, I like the pockets. Passport and pen go in chest. Notebook goes in bottom left. Phone goes in bottom right. I’m never fiddling for anything in an ornery pant pocket. Especially useful for getting through security.

I’m rarely too warm in a terminal or plane. (Your results may vary.) So I layer on a vest and a bandana. The vest is for functional warmth. The bandana is for emotional warmth.

This bouclé sweater vest from Madewell is the right weight for any temp. Thin enough to not add bulk when layered under a jacket. It’s breathable. And it can pop over a tee as easily as it can an oxford.

I’m man enough to admit. The bandana has become the comfort blanket of my style. I don’t fly without it. I picked up mine from Buck Mason. And it lives up to the hype (and the $100+ price tag). Made from a synthetic silk called rayon, it’s butter. At the time of writing, it’s not available. But I did find this organic cotton option from Taylor Stitch for $28. If you’re new to bandanas, start with this budget option.

I’m not a germophobe, but traveling is gross. Terminal seats sag from decades of travelers. Plane seats get sticky. I need something durable, something tough, to handle all that down there. Denim. Denim and casual loafers. Classic. Comfy. Can’t go wrong.

My most worn denim this year has been from Buck Mason. There’s not an ounce of trend in these jeans, and that’s the way I like it. Mid-rise, straight fit through the hip, tapered at the leg. A timeless fit.

SeaVees are another regular in my rotation. I have a few pairs of their sneakers, and these loafers offer the same laid-back, western vibe they’re known for, just in an elevated form. Suede. Designed to function as both a sneaker and loafer, they can be dressed up or down. And they’re at their most powerful when styled with a polished casual look. Textbook smart casual.

When you piece together a layered look for your airport uniform, you’ve got options. You can adjust when you land. On a hot island, I stripped down to the basic white tee I wear under all the aforementioned and rolled up the denim. In the mountains, I pulled out a beanie while waiting for ground transportation.