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Frustrated with the selection of plus size travel clothes for women? Let us simplify the options. Start by building your vacation wardrobe with these core pieces and add other items as needed. Keep reading to learn more!
For a complete list of size-friendly brands, take a look at the Plus Size Clothing section here!
Plus Size Travel Clothes for Women
Written by: Phebe Schwartz
Table Of Contents
Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:
I’ve adapted the style basics for those of us travelers who want to be stylish, classic, and elegant anywhere in the world. These are the items that are always in my travel (and at-home) capsule wardrobe. Yes, I carry more than these ten items, but since these are the core of my wardrobe, I could probably travel with just these pieces and be happy in most destinations.
These are my essential plus size travel clothes for women (all items shown in this post are available in extended sizing):
Tip: Want to pack light, use packing cubes to compress your clothing as shown in this video!
Vince Camuto Rumple Fabric Blouse
The White Shirt
A long-sleeved white shirt is indispensable for travel. This can be worn alone, over a tank or tee, under a sweater or blazer, with jeans or any slacks or trousers or a skirt.
It can also be worn as an additional layer under or over the right dress. A white shirt or blouse can easily be dressed up or down.
A tunic length shirt can also be worn over leggings or a short skirt. (Always carry a small stain stick or even a bleach stick to deal with those pesky spots.) Of course, a color is great too – but white always looks elegant.
Looking for the best white t-shirt for travel? Here’s what our readers recommends!
Calvin Klein Slim Fit Madison Dress Pants
Black slacks
Black is my neutral color of choice, and it works well for most women. If you absolutely hate black, go with another dark neutral.
Long or cropped, a basic tailored trouser that goes with everything is an essential travel item. Find a great pair that suits the climate zone(s) you’ll be traveling in, and that works with your body shape.
Looking for other options? Here’s what our readers voted as the best black travel pants and these were their favorite styles!
Levi’s Women’s 711 Skinny Jeans
Casual Pants
I learned the hard way that I need more than one pair of travel pants. (I fell in a river. Really.)
I like a casual cotton cargo, again in a neutral color that works with my tops. The alternative would be dark-wash slim-leg jeans for my second pair of pants, but those tend to be my winter wardrobe.
Shorts or capris would be another option, especially when traveling to warm weather.
Jessica London Plus Size Everyday Knit Maxi Skirt
Skirt
My new favorite skirt is a straight viscose jersey skirt, in black, with a shirt-tail hemline; it comes to just below my knees, though most of the time I roll the waistband to bring the hem up to just above my knees.
A basic A-line, straight, or pencil skirt in your neutral color will work with almost every top, and will work for everywhere but the beach. Knits travel best and are more comfortable to wear. Add leggings or tights for cold climates.
Take a look at these skirt outfits to learn how to wear them in cold weather!
Dress
I’m a fan of the little black dress, though any basic dress works. Look for a dress that can be worn casually or dressed up with accessories; works with a cardi/blazer/pullover; or could even go over a shirt.
The Leith Body-Con Tank dress shown above is versatile and comfy for travel (just ask our readers!). Check out our video review on this awesome dress!
Watch my video review on the Leith dress for women!
Aim for a neutral color, and about knee length. Maxi dresses are also wonderful, but if you’re like me and not very tall, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by too much fabric, so I keep it at knee length.
Travel Fashion Tip: High-low styles are a good alternative for women under 5’3”
We’ve compiled a few of our favorite black travel dresses along with our reader favorites!
Nic+Zoe 4-Way Three Quarter Sleeve Convertible Cardigan
Cardigan
A cardigan will keep you warm, polish up an outfit, and cover your shoulders when visiting religious sites or more modest countries.
My cardi is almost always black, usually cropped, works with everything, and fits under a jacket for cold weather. Since I wear so much black sometimes I go with a bright solid cardigan for contrast.
Don’t pack more than one cardi – stick to a neutral that works with all items.
Take a look at these cardigan outfit ideas for your next trip!
Amazon Brand Daily Ritual Plus Size Jersey Short-Sleeve T Shirt
Tee shirt
The right tee will work with your slacks, your skirt, even under or over your dress.
Tees are great, but if you have a muffin top, look for a long or oversized or A-line tee. In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have muffin tops. However, an important part of traveling includes sampling local cuisine. Well worth it.
Leave the logo tees at home and discover our readers’ classic picks for the best t-shirts for travel!
Curves 360 by NYDJ Perfect Blouse
Colorful top
I like red as my pop of color, but any color or print that is great on you and makes you feel happy belongs in your travel bag.
This could be a blouse, another tee, another sweater – just your favorite color and style.
Gibson Ruffle Trim Front Button Sleeveless Top
Sleeveless top
A sleeveless top worn with your skirt instantly becomes a dress for any fancy occasion.
This lightweight, frill-trimmed top will move easily from work to weekend. Pair it with jeans, your slacks, even shorts.
Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket
Jacket
The perfect blazer can dress up a pair of jeans or cargo slacks and make you instantly chic. With the black slacks or skirt, it will mimic a suit.
And with the dress, you are suddenly more put together. A more casual option would be a jean jacket, leather jacket, or cotton jacket in a moto or military style.
I will admit that I’ve yet to find my perfect blazer, but many working women already have this item in their closet.
Use this as your jacket on the plane, and keep in your bag while traveling. I’ve often wished I had one with me.
Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag
Accessories
Fabulous but comfortable shoes, a handbag or crossbody bag that can be carried securely, a scarf or two in your best colors, maybe some earrings, a hat, all that.
I tend to forget these items when I make my packing list, but the scarves and jewelry can be bought wherever you travel; these are often my favorite “me” souvenirs.
We’ve rounded up the best anti theft travel bags for women!
How to Organize Plus Size Clothing
Packing cubes can help organize all the layers you have in mind for winter travels. We designed our own brand of slim packing cubes, with a unique color and numbering system, so it’s easy to remember where you’ve packed everything. The video below shows you how!
Learn our hacks with packing cubes in the video above!
We also put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
What are your tips on finding the best plus size travel clothes for women? Comment below!
For more plus size travel clothes tips, please read:
- Travel Fashion for Women Over 50: This Brand Also Has A Fantastic Size Range
- Plus Size Packing Tips: How to Rock a Carryon Wardrobe
- Need Plus Size Clothing Options? This Brand is Awesome
- 6 Places to Get Deals on Cheap Plus Size Clothing for Travel
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Author Bio: Phebe Schwartz started traveling at age 19, and hasn’t stopped. Retired, she and her husband are traveling the world and having the time of their lives! The plan is to have no plan, the philosophy is that where they end up is where they are meant to be. Follow their adventures: Rolling Luggagers
How do you keep your long, white shirt crisp when travelling?
Here are a few ideas: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-pack-clothes-without-wrinkles/
Going on a Mediterranean cruise. In August for my 60th birthday. Have several maxi dresses. A couple shorts. Have tried to pack carry on. But it never works.
Hi Christy, thank you for reaching out. You don’t need to travel carryon unless it’s something that makes sense for you. Many of our readers use regular size luggage and use the packing ideas to pack efficiently ? We wrote a post about this to change the carryon misconception: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/traveling-carry-on-only/
If you need any more tips to help you with your packing check out this article: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-a-mediterranean-cruise/ Also have a look at TFG’s signature packing lists for ideas for a capsule wardrobe and how many clothing items you could pack: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/ The product images shown on the blog are simply to provide you with an understanding of the general principles you can use, then because every woman has unique needs and style preferences, you can then apply the principles we have shared and adapt the items to suit your own needs.
Hope this helps you with your packing. Happy 60th birthday, have the most incredible time!! ❤️?
This is very helpful!!! Thanks!!!
🙂 You’re welcome!
Great ideas – will def use for my next trip!
Glad you found it helpful Kathi
Thank you for including all sizes. Love your blog!
You’re welcome Sara 🙂 Glad you like it!
These are such great options! I definitely bookmarked this one.
Glad to hear it 🙂
I find a white linen shirt that can be worn unbuttoned a great cover up to hide my bulges- yet still be cool.
linen is fantastic!
This is wonderful information for a trip
Thanks Brenda!
Thanks for including an article on good travel clothes for plus size. There aren’t many!
Thank you Beth! We’ll continue to provide as many more tips as possible 🙂
Finding “normal”, good quality basics in plus size is a challenge. Thank you for whatever tips you may have. I find that larger sizes need be better quality, nothing is worse than large size “skimpy”.
I agree Gina 🙂 I hope you find the tips useful!
What works best for a 65 year old that has an Apple shape?
I have small arms and legs. I cannot find anything that looks good.
Hi Sheila, thank you for reaching out! I would highly suggest that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there about recommendations for travel clothes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Here you have the opportunity to ask for specific recommendations based on your requirements. With over 10,000 members, there are women of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Hope you find clothing you like. Happy travels! ?
Thank you! I requested this type of info via Facebook, and love the suggestions!!
Happy to help