Many apologies for missing last week! I gave you no warning because Past Teresa somehow thought she’d be able to crank out a post the day after arriving home from vacation in the middle of the night to -40°C with three-fifths of her family in various stages of illness. Travel is great but also not great.
Anyway, I’m still wiped a week later from all of it, so I’m giving you a quick ode to my new favourite airplane pants: these Rag & Bone joggers made of sweatpant material but trompe l’oeiled (bet you didn’t know it was a verb) to look just like regular jeans.
They fit all my criteria for good travel pants:
Must have easily accessible pockets large enough to hold at least one passport, but also sometimes five passports, plus barf bags, tissues, cash, earbuds, chargers, snacks and whatever else you need to cram in there when you’re the family sherpa.
Must not drag on the floor when I sit to pee. Side story: On the flight home, I rescued a panicked child (not one of mine) who was trapped in the washroom because she didn’t understand the lock mechanism by giving her calm, clear instructions through the door. In that moment, I felt a deep, meaningful connection to all of humanity—until I saw the state of the toilet seat and floor. Humans are disgusting.
Must be comfortable, but no exercise clothes. I have nothing against people wearing whatever they want—once, on a work trip, I saw someone flying in full-on pyjamas and considered them a hero—but I have a secret wish to be upgraded like they do on TV, so I try to look polished. Of course, I don’t even know if this happens in real life? And I’m not sure my sweatpant jeans would pass muster. I mean, is there enough trompe l’oeiliness (bet you didn’t know it was an abstract noun) in the world to fool anyone into thinking I belong in first-class?
Do you have a go-to travel outfit? What are your criteria? Also, do you check in or carry on? Just curious.
:) Teresa
ps. What is happening even?? Closet Dispatch is a free, limited-run weekly newsletter by Teresa Wong.
Those look amazingly comfy. Are they as trompe-l’oeil-like up close as they are in your pic? I too have a favorite pair of airplane pants that I discovered kind of by accident. They’re nylon Gap tapered ankle-length athletic pants with an elastic waist. The nylon is matte somehow and the ankle has just a little bit of detailing so it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing workout clothes. And they are just the right weight so I don’t freeze on the plane but am still comfy if it’s spring or summer when I leave the airport. Wore them on my long flight to PA for HippoCamp last year. Hoping I will get to wear them there again! 🤞