the Elle next door: HOW TO TRAVEL IN STYLE AND COMFORT

Leather jacket - Stradivarius / Chambray Shirt - ASOS / Jeans - ASOS / Adidas Superstars - ASOS / Bag - Aldo (old) / Gorgeous watch that I'm obsessed with - The 5th

Let me just state that I by no means think I’m “nailing” airport style/look particularly chic/or even just not that I woke up and threw on the first thing that’s fallen out of my wardrobe in these snaps. It’s this reason that’s put me off of this style of post for a long time actually, but coupled with my newly developed f**k it attitude - LOL, we all know I say that but secretly have all the anxiety and actually really care - and the fact that I’ve been travelling a lot recently and have somehow received really lovely comments for my travelling attire (oh, and the fact that me and my gal pal Hannah took these photo’s pre flight to Marbs and I felt like one of those mega cool Travel bloggers that look like they just float through an airport even though I realistically look like a bargain bucket version who always turns right into economy) I decided to whack up some tips for how to feel comfortable and chic and not totally like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards when travelling.

Whoever coined the phrase Comfort is key, can you please stand up so that I can take you for a curry and wine night because oh my god I am not the heels and dress kinda airport girl and thanks to you babes, I don’t need to be. Being comfortable immediately makes you ooze that effortlessness because guess what? It actually is bloody effortless when you’re wearing trainers and not heels that would be less painful rammed into your eyeballs. Trainers are my first port of call and these blogger cliche Adidas Superstars are my absolute favourites of late. Comfortable, chic, they go with everything [insert high five emoji here] and I actually think they take a casual vibe to a “yeah I’m casual but look at how cool AF I am” vibe and I am all about that. If you own a classic pair of jeans that also happen to be mega stretchy then they are also your BFF’s, plus a light but easy to move around in jacket to keep you warm on the plane but not too warm - apparently sweat patches aren’t a thing in the fashion world, that’s a shame - and bob’s your uncle.

Before you give me a Johnson and Johnson award for being the world’s most boring blogger, practical items may sound seriously snooze-worthy but they will reduce all of the stress levels - meaning those subsequent sweat patches and lack of effortlessness won’t be an issue - and make your life so much easier. A large tote bag that holds the world and it’s dog (but not too large that you’re tempted to pack your usual 25 nearly identical pink lipsticks) is my ultimate essential. Plus, just because it’s a big tote doesn’t mean that it has to be unsightly, I love this red one from Aldo, mainly because it’s my favourite colour for feeling chic - just me that feels like red accessories are a total game changer? - but also because it definitely looks a lot like the Celine luggage bags without literally being a fake Celine bag. Things with pockets be it a jacket, jeans or dress are also extremely helpful for not having to dig into your bag for your passport every 2 seconds.

For me this goes for all day errr day fashion but simple, basic pieces can never do you wrong. A monochrome palette, or chambray and denim as I’m sporting today will always look put together without looking like you’ve spent 10 million years planning your outfit. It’ll also make it extremely easy to “jazz things up” with accessories and that is something that I am always on board with.

Talking of accessories - you’d think working in TV for four years would help with those links, clearly not - they are potentially my favourite way of adding that oomph of chic whilst still remaining comfortable. Sunglasses are an absolute essential for me as my eyes are streamy little buggers in sunlight and I also like to go sans makeup quite a lot when I travel and don’t really enjoy looking like a cross breed of Casper the Ghost and Shrek, so find a pair that suit your face shape and rock them like your Victoria Beckham/Olivia Palermo. They also look chic as fuck, so even if your eyes aren’t streamy little buggers and you’re naturally gorgeous (in which case, I hate you) they’re still going to make you look 10x more effortless and fab, so you know, why the hell not.

Now, my final point completely obliterates this whole post - lol, blogger of the year award - but I honestly think that as much as I really like to look and feel chic and comfortable - hence this post - I also care a lot more about having an amazing holiday and a chilled airport experience so take your outfit with a pinch of salt. Wear what you feel good in, whack on some shades and think about nothing but your impending sun/city views/alcohol/fun times consumption and be done with it.

So that’s my top tips - I mean, I say tips in the loosest terms possible - for feeling chic whilst being comfortable at the airport. I’d love to know your tips and tricks for feeling your best? Any must have items that will make me feel like Blake Lively next time I travel? I’m all ears :)

As always, thanks so much for reading!