We received a reader question about airport style recently. Specifically, airport style that is comfortable, yet chic enough to go straight from the airport to a party. Oh and nursing friendly, thankyouverymuch. Here’s what reader M wrote:
I need an outfit that will survive: nursing, running to the airport, flying (Hello gorgeous naptime, it’s been awhile!), lunch, baby shower, pumping, and flying back. All in 9 hours. I want to escape my usual maternal athleisure costume & be pretty! But I need to be COMFY, not “comfy”….I’m thinking since you’ve traveled recently you might have some fresh ideas for me?
Yes! I do, actually. On our recent trip we flew overnight to Barcelona, then immediately caught another flight to Nantes (in France), and upon landing there, met the family we’re doing the house exchange with…for drinks. Obviously I had to be comfortable enough to sleep on a plane (and deal with mad temperature fluctuations and madder children haha), but I wanted to look good, too.
Turns out, I’ve got a dress for that. It feels a little bit like wearing pajamas, never wrinkles, is nursing-friendly, kind on the post-partum tummy, and dresses up nicely for a party. Keep reading for pics of my travel outfit, as well as a few examples of how I’d tweak the styling if I were nursing or traveling with toddlers because #momming. It’s how we do.
Also, traveling with kids of any age is kind of a gong show #extremeparenting, so keep the photo expectations low. Most look like this:
Yaaaaassss.
blazer | dress | shoes | sunglasses (bra and bag are old – see below for options)
This dress is long enough to keep the backs of my thighs from sticking to the seat, cool in the heat, and layers comfortably under a sweatshirt blazer. The cut of this dress also allows me to tuck my feet up under me on the plane without any major wardrobe malfunctions. And the unexpected detail (a strategic fold, asymmetrical hem) make this dress special. It always looks chic, in virtually any situation – casual or dressy. I bought this dress almost two years ago, and it’s been one of my go-tos for travel ever since: Puerto Rico, the Jersey shore, France, Barcelona. Gray was the only option when I bought this dress, but it’s now available in both gray or black…..and I might even like the black better….???
One word of caution: The neckline of this dress is very, very low. I’m totally OK with that, but I realize the look is not for everyone. In the collages below, I linked to bra options that will work with this dress, including some that will make it more conservative.
This most closely matches how I styled this dress for travel. All of the pieces (except for the bra) are the exact pieces that I’m wearing in the pics above.
1. Riller & Fount Bianca Pinched Front Mini Dress
2. Garrett Leight Dillion Sunglasses – I’m actually wearing this pair in the pics above, but the Garrett Leights are the sunglasses I wore for most the trip (and they look better with the outfit).
3. Net A Porter Triangle Bra – insanely expensive, but the most similar to the one I’m wearing. But let’s talk bra options for a sec: if you want way more coverage, this bra top would be perfect, or even this lacy one. I’ve also worn this Cosabella bralette under this dress.
4. Kate Spade New York ‘Leopard Lyla’ Weekender – I’m obsessed with these weekenders. When we flew to Spain, I had mine stashed with my kindle, cozy socks, and a ton of snacks. It was perfect. My floral bag is no longer available, but am dying over the leopard print.
5. James Perse Double Breasted Blazer – This piece was pricy even during the anniversary sale, but the single breasted James Perse Cropped French Terry Blazer is slightly more affordable.
6. Lucky Bashina Boots – my favs. I’ve talked about these before.
Nursing Mamas, I’d go for a rockstar baby vibe: pointy toe flats, majorly cool sunglasses, and a military-inspired sweater that you can slip on right over the Ergo carrier. Add a scarf for a bright pop of color (and it’ll double as a nursing cover).
1. Riller & Fount Bianca Pinched Front Mini Dress – love the black for stain-hiding reasons.
2. Caslon Aubry Pointy Toe Flat – Pointy-toe flats have such a rocker vibe, and these look comfortable. Or if you want to be really on-trend, slide on these textured black mules. You probably won’t be able to run, but getting through security will be a cinch, even with a baby in the Ergo.
3. Ray-Ban ‘Icons’ – OBSESSED. Totally and completely.
4. Cosabella Nursing Bralette – the prettiest and most practical nursing bra ever
5. ERGObaby ‘360’ Baby Carrier – This carrier was the sole reason I had any santiy left after Raines was born. You can also find it at Amazon.
6. Monogram Military Sweater Coat – a decent alternative to the James Perse sweatshirt blazer!
7. Kate Spade New York ‘Large Lyla’ Weekender – my fav tote in stripes.
8. Love Quotes Linen Fringe Scarf – this lightweight linen scarf comes in a ton of gorg colors, and is currently on sale.
For a sporty vibe, swap the flats for seriously cool sneaks and a soft denim jacket.
1. Riller & Fount Bianca Pinched Front Mini Dress AND Kaanas sneakers (I love the dress styled exactly like this)
2. Sole Society Geometric Print Scarf – love the pop of color
3. Cosabella Nursing Bralette – still my fav, also available on Amazon
4. Everlane ‘The Modern Commuter’ Backpack – Everlane is killing the backpack game right now.
5. Paige ‘Rowan’ Denim Jacket – the reviewers rave about how soft and perfectly tailored this denim jacket is.
6. Quinny Yezz Stroller – my favorite stroller for travel – super light, yet can handle cobblestone streets. It folds super fast and can be carried over your shoulder. It’s amazing.
Shop Travel-Friendly Dresses
There’s no doubt that my favorite dress for travel is either the Riller and Fount dress, or maybe this wrinkle-proof Ninobrand dress, especially after culling the internet looking for alternatives. But a few more options never killed anyone so…..
Upon first look I thought you had tucked the dress into your underwear!
Hahaha, I think someone makes a “tucked into your underwear” comment every time she posts this dress! 🙂 My husband said the same thing when I tried it on. If you order it I suggest ordering two sizes; it has a different look depending on how it fits. Ultimately I didn’t buy it because my husband ruined it for me, but it was super cute and comfy.
HAHA – I KNOW!!! Every time, right?
But in a cool way! I dig the dress! It wouldn’t work for someone with a huge rack like me, but I think it’s really cute on S.
Do you dry clean the Riller & Fount dress? Or have you machine washed it? That makes a big difference for me… I’m leery of washing rayon because it tends to shrink weirdly.
Yes, I was also wondering about dry cleaning. If it can’t handle the hand wash cycle in my machine it’s a deal breaker.
I hand wash it, but never dry it.
Love the LaCausa dress from anthropology, but wondering if you think it would look funny with a bra? I’m nursing and can’t go braless… Thanks for these!!!
As a rule, shirt dresses are a good way to go when nursing. Although one can’t go wrong with a classic chambray shirt dress, Old Navy and Gap usually have several styles and prints available at a time.
Love this post, and uniforms (momiforms) of all kinds. The soft, comfy dress is so key for mom life. <3
Thank you Shana!!!
Are you freaking kidding me, HeyStella? It’s one thing to dislike Shana’s dress. It’s another thing to attack her facial expression. News flash – people aren’t put on earth just so you’ll approve of them. Take yourself down a few pegs and think about spreading some happiness instead of negativity. Shana, you are beautiful. Keep doing what you do with your style and fabulous face. I appreciate all the work you put into your blog and posts.
Don’t feed the trolls! S, thanks for the tips, I am traveling while nursing in the next few months and can’t wait to try some of these looks!
Geez – sorry about the trolls you guys. Usually I’m on top of that stuff, but I was so busy doing the summertime thing. No worries. 🙂
And HEY – if you are back here all “Why did my comment get deleted??” it’s because I have a zero-tolerance policy to nastiness. We’re here to be supportive and respectful of each other’s tastes and preferences. Diversity of looks, thoughts and style is something we embrace here on The Mom Edit. Don’t like what I’m wearing? No problem. But leaving mean-spirited comments under the guise of “keeping it real” is not OK.
xoxox 🙂
I didn’t see the troll comment but you have to admit this isn’t really a realistic “mom” outfit… it looks like you are heading to a bar, not going to the airport with your children!
I think it’s probably important to note here that “realistic ‘mom’ outfit” is not a thing. You do you, blueandgold, and let everyone else do the same.
Well-said. 🙂
Another option for low-cut dresses, especially for petite women would be to shorten the straps at the shoulder seam. Not sure if this dress is amenable to that.
You can say honest things without being rude/mean about it.
Love this post! Thank you!
I’d be grimacing too if I were traveling with two children! I think that was one of the points in this post; it’s REAL LIFE. Shana, I love that you continue to rock that dress despite the constant underwear comments. You go girl!
Haha – thanks Babe!
I was thinking for those that like the look but are worried about the “underwear assumption,” why not find a really awesome broach or pin, button, you name it, to put right where the gather lies. Could add a cool detail!
Love this idea!
One thing is you can’t actually pump in a dress!! You need to offer some realistic pumping options- top and bottom!!! Thanks.
where is that cute little necklace from>?
@blueandgold I respectfully disagree that this isn’t a realistic mom outfit.
As a nursing mom and one too top-heavy to wear this particular low-cut dress, I agree it’s not likely to work for littles. But S is not nursing, and she looks classy to get on an airplane. It’s a huge improvement over the spandex, bottom-baring, athleisure-wearing travelers I see, and I think it is infinitely appropriate for Europe. The clothes shown are cozy and comfortable, just what you need for long-haul flights.
Just because something is comfortable, it doesn’t have to look sloppy. I’m all for dressing like a classy woman even if I am traipsing after kiddos, which can totally be done in machine-washable (and machine HAND-washable) clothes.
I’m a frequent traveler (4 flights per week) and I really really hope you’re wearing some no show socks under those cute boots. They very very rarely clean the “floor” of the x ray machines in the security area, so where you see the paint marks to put your feet is like an x marks the spot for fungus and other foot problems that I know we would all rather avoid!
Hi, can you give step by step instructions on how you cut your jeans? I bought the same ones per your recommendation & want to chop off an inch or 2. Thank you!
Hi, can you explain how you cut your jeans? Thank you!
Just ordered this cute knotted tank dress from Nordstrom Rack – only $30! https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/1785335/four-stars-knotted-scoop-tank-dress?color=SPACE+DYE
To each their own indeed. This is isn’t something I would personally wear, I’m a tad more conservative about exposing my undergarments. With that being said, Shana can certainly rock the look. The Michael Stars dress she posted is magic. I own it in black and wear it with a black free people galloon bralette, perfect for traveling 😉