Welcome to First Class Fridays, the weekly series you won’t want to miss!
Each Friday, I’m revealing the travel outfits that turn heads at the airport, the insider tips that make jet-setting effortless, and one small luxury that elevates your entire journey. Whether you’re planning your next escape or just dreaming of one, these Fridays are about to become your favorite. Set your reminder—First Class Fridays, every week.
Travel Outfits | Women Over 40
This week’s travel outfit is all about comfort without compromising style. I’m showcasing the ultimate cold-weather travel essential—a cream puffer coat that sells out every single year for good reason. This isn’t just any puffer; it’s the piece that keeps you warm while looking effortlessly chic, which is exactly what every travel outfit should accomplish.
SHOP THIS EDIT
Layered under the puffer is a classic navy-and-white striped long-sleeve top—a travel outfit staple that works with absolutely everything. The foundation of this look is a pair of cream wide-leg trousers that give you all the comfort you need for long flights without looking like you’ve given up on style. This monochromatic neutral palette is intentional—it’s sophisticated, timeless, and makes mixing pieces throughout your trip incredibly easy.
The real genius of this travel outfit? Those sneakers. I’m talking about proper, comfortable, stylish sneakers that can handle miles of airport corridors and still look polished enough for your destination. The houndstooth tote adds just the right amount of classic pattern to keep things interesting while remaining practical for in-flight essentials.
This travel outfit formula works because it prioritizes what actually matters when you’re traveling: warmth, comfort, and ease of movement. The puffer coat can be removed and stuffed into your carry-on if you get warm. The sneakers mean you can sprint to your gate without thinking twice. The neutral colors mean everything coordinates. It’s a travel outfit that actually understands how real women travel.
This Week’s Insider Travel Tip: The “Wear It Three Ways” Rule
Here’s the travel secret that transformed how I pack: every single item in your suitcase must work in at least three different ways. If a piece can’t be styled three ways, it doesn’t earn its place in your luggage. This single rule prevents overpacking and ensures maximum versatility.
Here’s why this changes everything: most people pack for specific scenarios—”this dress for dinner, these jeans for sightseeing, this blazer for shopping”—and end up with a suitcase full of one-trick pieces. You arrive at your destination with 20 items that only create a handful of travel outfits because nothing works together beyond its original purpose.
How the three-ways rule works
Before packing anything, hold up each piece and mentally style it three different ways. That striped top in today’s travel outfit?
- Way 1: Casual with jeans and sneakers for daytime exploring.
- Way 2: Polished with trousers and loafers for nice lunches.
- Way 3: Layered under a blazer or cardigan for evening dinners. Three distinct looks, one piece.
If you can’t think of three ways to wear it right away, leave it at home. That special statement that you love but only works with one pair of pants? It’s taking up precious suitcase space for just one outfit. Replace it with a versatile neutral that works with everything you’re bringing.
Your entire suitcase becomes a capsule. When every piece works three ways, a 10-item suitcase suddenly creates 20+ outfit combinations. You’ll never run out of things to wear, never feel like you packed wrong, and never wish you’d brought something else.
Examples from real travel
- Cream Puffer Coat:
- Way 1: Over striped tops for casual days.
- Way 2: Over sweater or knit dresses for evening warmth.
- Way 3: With workout wear for early morning walks and coffee runs
- Wide-leg Trousers:
- Way 1: With sneakers and a tee for travel days.
- Way 2: With loafers and a sweater for sightseeing.
- Way 3: With heels and a silk cami for dinner.
- Striped Long-sleeve Top:
- Way 1: Standalone with jeans.
- Way 2: Layered under a blazer.
- Way 3: Under a slip dress as a base layer.
The magic of this system: You pack less, stress less, and look better throughout your entire trip. Every morning becomes easy because you’re choosing from a curated collection of pieces that all work together, rather than digging through a suitcase wondering what coordinates.
I started using this rule over a decade ago, and I’ve never overpacked since. My suitcase is lighter, my outfit options are better, and I actually wear everything I bring. That’s the difference between packing with strategy versus packing with anxiety.
Bonus tip: This rule also helps you build a better everyday wardrobe at home. If something can’t be styled three ways in your regular life, it probably doesn’t deserve closet space either.
This Week’s Small Luxury: A Cashmere Travel Wrap That Doubles as a Blanket
This week’s small luxury is one of the most practical investments you’ll ever make for travel: a cashmere wrap that functions as both an elegant accessory and a luxurious airplane blanket.
I’m not talking about those cheap pashminas that pill after one flight or those scratchy airline blankets you’d never want touching your skin. I’m talking about a large, high-quality cashmere wrap that transforms your entire travel experience.
Why this is worth the investment
Temperature control on every flight. Planes are notoriously unpredictable—the gate area is sweltering, boarding is comfortable, and then cruise altitude turns your seat into an icebox. A cashmere wrap adapts instantly. Drape it over your shoulders during boarding, wrap it around yourself completely once you’re settled, or fold it as a lumbar support pillow. It does everything.
My favorite is this cashmere wrap by Nadaam that is extremely soft and affordable for cashmere. If you want a more high-end cashmere wrap, I would recommend the Sofia cashmere wrap, a splurge, but the quality is exceptional. For a more affordable cashmere wrap, the Quince wrap is a steal at under $100.
WHY I LOVE TO TRAVEL WITH A CASHMERE WRAP
Instant elegance at your destination. Unlike those travel blankets that scream “tourist,” a beautiful cashmere wrap elevates any travel outfit immediately. Throw it over that striped top and trousers from today’s outfit, and suddenly you look like you stepped out of a Parisian café, not off a six-hour flight.
It actually keeps you warm. Cheap wraps are thin and useless. Quality cashmere provides real warmth without bulk, which is exactly what you need when you’re trying to pack light but stay comfortable.
Versatility throughout your trip. Beyond the flight, your cashmere wrap works for chilly restaurants, air-conditioned museums, evening walks, or as an extra layer in hotel rooms where you can’t control the temperature. It’s the piece that earns its place in your suitcase over and over.
Lasts for years. I’ve had my cashmere travel wrap for over five years. It’s been on dozens of flights, to countless destinations, and it still looks as good as the day I bought it. That’s the difference between buying quality once versus replacing cheap versions repeatedly.
Pro tip: Keep your cashmere wrap in your personal item, not your checked luggage. You want immediate access when that plane temperature drops. Roll it loosely rather than folding to prevent creases, and store it in a breathable bag to keep it fresh.
The first time you board a flight with your cashmere wrap, you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without it. It’s the small luxury that makes every journey feel first class, regardless of which cabin you’re sitting in.
What’s your go-to travel outfit formula? Have you tried packing by outfit instead of by item? Drop a comment below—I love hearing what works for you!
PREVIOUSLY SHARED BUT WORTH SHARING IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
MY MONTHLY WHAT TO PACK SERIES WITH OUTFIT IDEAS
First Class Fridays
That’s it for this week’s First Class Fridays! Try packing using the “Weat It 3 Ways” style philosophy on your next trip, recreate this cozy-chic travel outfit, and consider investing in that cashmere wrap you’ve been eyeing. See you next Friday for another dose of elevated travel inspiration.
Until then, bon voyage!
In case you missed my previous First Class Fridays posts:
