9 Pairs of Jeans Our Editors Actually Wear on Airplanes

Work trips usually require a certain level of presentability at the airport or train station because more often than not, I’m traveling with colleagues and other journalists. So sweatpants and more cozy attire isn’t always an option. As an alternative, I’ve started to rely on super-relaxed denim like Still Here’s viral jeans. Made from 100% cotton with a wide-leg cut and low rise, the New York-based brand’s Cool jeans are made with a pajama-like feel that’s perfect for long-haul flights. Its drawstring detail at the front is an added bonus. The almost-always sold out style comes in seven different versions. —Shelby Ying Hyde, contributor

Pros: The drawstring waist ensures the super low rise is secure. And according to Traveler‘s associate articles director, Megan Spurrell, the dark wash shade is great for travel.
Cons: They’re a bit of a splurge and have a baggier fit that loosens up over time, which can make sizing tricky. Spurrell recommends steering clear of the white hue and the suede version. “Perhaps it’s not surprising that even just wearing them to sit on a flight, I leave with mysterious marks and scuffs,” she says.

In almost all of my travel pictures from last summer I am, somewhat embarrassingly, wearing the same pair of jeans: Everlane’s semi-oversized Utility Barrel jeans. Made of surprisingly soft organic cotton and the perfect dimensions for a relaxed waist, wide legs, and tapered ankle opening, they simply look cool with anything while being absolutely comfortable enough for the plane. My favorite way to wear them, though, were to casual or chic dinners with a pair of block heels. They’re the rare unicorn that can go from in-flight nap to dinner date if you’re in a pinch. —Shannon McMahon, senior destinations editor

Pros: They come in both four shades of denim and nine different colors of woven organic cotton, so you can buy a comfy-cozy pair for every setting.
Cons: McMahon has a pair in bone (off-white), which picks up dirt somewhat easily. She doesn’t recommend this shade for longer journeys or places with stain potential—for example, the dirty seats of planes and trains.

I’m going to be honest here, when a few of my fellow editors told me they enjoy wearing jeans on planes, I thought they were a little nuts. But after wearing Halara’s Flex high-waisted jeans over the last month, I finally get it. Apparently, it is possible to find a pair that’s actually comfortable enough to sit in for hours without any digging in or pinching all the wrong places. And they’re high-waisted, meaning they’re flattering and supportive, but they feel just as lightweight around the waist as a pair of sweats. This pair looks like your normal everyday dark wash denim, but the material is so soft and stretchy. I don’t feel like I’m wearing jeans at all—so much so that I’ve worn them everywhere recently—from Christmas dinner to Sunday grocery shopping to long car rides. The cuff at the bottom is a nice detail, too, making them look just as stylish as they are comfy. And I am not lying when I say I’ve received more compliments on these jeans, from friends, family, and strangers at a store, than I have on any pair of Levi’s or other pricey denim I’ve ever worn. They’re available in a few different washes and lengths. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

Pros: The design and make of these jeans is highly impressive, to which the denim looks good and feels good—almost replicating the comfort of athleisure. Also, the under-$100 price tag earns this pair extra points in our book.
Cons: Some customer reviews allude to signs of the denim fading after lots of wear and washing.

I’ve always struggled a bit with purchasing the perfect pair of jeans—probably, because I have longer legs and a shorter torso, so my size varies depending on the make of the denim. But I’ve always loved the look and feel of jeans when they fit just right. My quarantine buddy and best friend can attest to this—she couldn’t believe I would throw on a pair for the remote work day. “They are Free People,” I’d say. “Until you buy a pair like these, you just won’t get it.” It’s true, the brand does have wide array of stylish and flexible jeans—though some, more comfortable than others. For one, these Love Bomb flares are my absolute go-to for everything—from long days of work to long-haul flights. Of course, you must get to know the jeans before spending an entire commute with them. But once I broke them in after two or three wears, they stretched with my body (instead of against it, like some other pairs I’ve known). Dressed up with heels or down with comfortable booties, the comfortable fabric works with their low-rise edge and timeless flare silhouette, making me feel more confident on the go.

Pros: The pair is offered in a light and dark wash, matching nearly anything in my carry-on.
Cons: The flare bottom might not be everyone’s style.

I acquired these jeans secondhand, when my friend and roommate Natalie forwarded me an Instagram story from the (epic) account @y2kbags, who was selling a pair for $95. Seeing that my waist and their waist were the same measurement, I sent a DM and then a Venmo payment and the jeans were mine. The whole thing took maybe one minute. And now, I’ve had this beautiful, voluminous jeans for two years—the best two years of my life, in terms of denim. They are immaculately comfortable for flying given their immense legroom, but they look and are immensely chic. If it were possible to be armed with the knowledge that these jeans are worth their price tag new without having already bought them secondhand, I would absolutely buy a pair straight from the source. —Charlie Hobbs, associate editor
Pros: At the same time, they are stylish, comfortable, and extremely roomy.
Cons: They run at a high price point—extravagantly expensive.

No one was more delighted than I was when embroidered jeans began to trend. I once owned some with stick figures stitched into the front pocket, and I’d been looking for a fun pair ever since. This brand makes a wide range of stretchy, comfy denim embellished with everything from flora and fauna to evil eyes. Coupled with a high-waist, they’re a no-brainer for hanging out in the clouds. These are a bit on the pricey side, but the brand has decent sales. Once you nab a pair, you’ll realize the comfort and quality is worth the cost. The Hallucination pattern, with moons, snakes, and stars, is my pick on and off the runway. —Alexandra Sanidad, research director

Pros: Unique designs breed compliments—it’s just a fact. Traveling with this fun and embroidered pair has the potential to act as a conversation starter with someone who, like you, favors a bit of a creative flair.
Cons: Due to their fun design, they are priced more than other more affordable denim options.

This article prompt got me thinking: If we all dressed up more for travel, would the airport be a bit more civilized? Nevertheless, if I absolutely have to wear jeans on a flight, I’m pairing these Levi’s 568 Loose Straight jeans with a casual T-shirt and a hoodie. The loose fit allows you to stay comfortable while still appearing put together. Combine them with a pair of casual loafers or Nike Air Force 1s for a foolproof airport uniform. –Erik Buckingham, commerce producer

Pros: The style of this pair masters a nice and comfortable loose fit all around—while not appearing baggy or too oversized (which is, evidently, tough to do for all sorts of body types).
Cons: Be weary of which size is best for you. Some customers wrote that they prefer to size up so that the waistline falls a bit lower.

These jeans are described as “better than loungewear”— and I have to agree. I wore these in the early days of my pregnancy, when I was still in the questionably bloated phase, and have now designated them as my signature plane pants. They are soft, relaxed, slightly stretchy, and IMHO, fashionable enough to make me feel like I’ve got it together at the airport while still comfortable enough to snooze in on the flight. —Mercedes Bleth, global associate director of social

Pros: Strong hold denim that looks vintage–but feels modern. Not to mention, the jeans’ creation process is noted to be more sustainable—made with less water and energy saving technology, compared to most mass- marketed pairs.
Cons: According to some customer reviews, the jeans are best fit for those with taller stature.

To many of my friends’ disbelief, I almost always travel in jeans. Especially on a long or overnight flight. I hate getting off the plane and arriving at a destination feeling and perhaps looking schlumpy. (Don’t even get me started on people traveling in pajamas or pajama-adjacent clothing). While jeans with stretch are definitely tempting, they often get stretched out and baggy in all the wrong places. Instead, I opt for a loose fitting non-stretch denim, like The Willow Jean. They’re baggy in overall fit, but they don’t bag and they have an interesting, architectural shape that doesn’t collapse with wear. Meaning: I can rewear them throughout on my actual trip. The Willow Jeans are super comfortable while looking sharp. Total denim win win. —Rebecca Misner, senior features editor

Pros: Both full on the legs for a flattering and chic ’90s style— and designed to sit lower on the waist, comfortably loose all around. There’s also five pockets for carrying convenience.
Cons: These jeans do run a little big. With wide legs you often sort of run the risk of them pooling on the floor when you’re in the restroom—so just give them a little preemptive hike up so the bottoms don’t gather around your feet.