With #revengetravel in full swing, we're seeing more and more jetsetters sating their wanderlust and exploring the world once again. Our feeds are peppered with the resurgence of #travelgram posts, often kicked off by the obligatory photo at the airport. For most of us, an excited selfie or a passport snap would suffice—but if you're a social media darling with millions of followers waiting for a life update, it can't be anything less than a flawless celebrity airport OOTD.
Decoding the Formula of Celebrities' Airport Fashion
Stars dressing for a flight and treating arrival and departure halls as if they're a fashion runway isn't anything new. In Hollywood, since 2010, photographers have been waiting out A-listers at airports as a day job. The now-defunct Racked called it "a good place to make money" for the paparazzi, who would sell these sightings of famous people to entertainment sites like TMZ and make a bank out of Kate Moss and the Olsen Twins' jet lag hair. Nothing has changed at LAX today, except it's now mostly the Hadids and the Kardashians they have their eyes peeled for. The practice has trickled down to Hallyu land, where fans go wild and feast on bigshot K-pop idols and K-drama stars' airport style. Thanks to Instagram though, the influencer era is here—and now style stars have taken it upon themselves to post OOTDs on their own accounts faster than the pap can say cheese.
But what makes the stars' in-flight style a deliriously captivating social media phenomenon today? The look is an intriguing sartorial paradox. It has to be luxurious, comfortable, yet still unquestionably chic.
In mastering the art of celebrity airport fashion, you gotta think like a movie star! POV: Your schedule is so busy so you barely managed to get a few hours of sleep. You rolled out of bed and took a quick shower, randomly put on something comfy yet accidentally still paparazzi-worthy, and then off you go to the airport to catch your first class flight. No time to put on makeup? No problem—just grab those oversized designer sunglasses and you're golden! A cup of Starbucks, totally optional.
But hey, newsflash: You don't actually need to be a star to travel like one. Anyone can jet-set in style and take a killer airport OOTD—even if you're flying coach!
Below, we break down the essentials of the perfect celebrity airport style.
Comfortable Yet Luxe Basics
An airport outfit can't just be chic; it also has to be comfortable, and that's where the challenge usually lies. The easiest trick in the book is to stick with quality basics with a polished flair, because a minimalist in-transit style is almost impossible to screw up. With something low-maintenance, you'll also have better chances at looking fresh even after a long-haul flight. Sarah Lahbati's all-white shirt and jeans combo was a pretty clever take; as well as Julia Barretto's dainty yet cozy linen look that allows for ease of movement without constantly worrying about creasing her outfit, layered with an oversized button-down that helped her adapt to varying cabin temperatures.
The Ludicrously Capacious Hand Carry
Bridget's ludicrously capacious Burberry may have been an unforgivable faux pax at the Roys' intimate and uber-exclusive soiree in HBO's Succession, but if you're an A-list star catching a flight, that's just what you need to nail the look—a designer arm candy that's spacious enough to stow away all your essentials in without dampening your celebrity style. Need suggestions? A personalized and monogrammed Dior Book Tote seems to be an artista-approved pick, favored by the likes of Kathryn Bernardo and Bea Alonzo. Another popular choice is Louis Vuitton's OnTheGo, which is loved by fashion influencers like Camille Co and Vern Enciso. For a relatively more affordable and unassuming option, the Chloé Woody carryall or Marc Jacobs' The Tote Bag are also guaranteed to get the job done.
.jpg)
Large Dior Book Tote in Ecru and Blue Dior Oblique Embroidery, $3500 (approx. P195,000), DIOR, dior.com
Medium Woody Tote, $1250 (approx. P70,000), CHLOÉ, mytheresa.com
High-End Check-In Luggage
When it comes to celebrity airport fashion, check-in luggage is more than just a means to transport belongings; it's a reflection of one's discerning taste and status. A-listers choose the best and most coveted—whether it's the iconic monogram of Louis Vuitton, the sleek minimalism of Rimowa, or the artisanal excellence of Tumi. These stars spare no expense in acquiring the crème de la crème that combines durability, functionality, and utmost luxury. (But of course, there are sleek and durable options you can opt for that are a bit more economical on the wallet.)
Horizon 70 in Monogram Eclipse, $4750 (approximately P193,210), LOUIS VUITTON, louisvuitton.com
Extended Trip Packing Case in Texture Silver, P136,990, TUMI, tumi.ph
Samsonite Minter Spinner Black, P42,550, SAMSONITE, zalora.com.ph
Practical Footwear
A pair of sneakers is a no-brainer for the ultimate comfort—but if you're determined to spruce things up, boots or loafers would be decent picks as well. What ultimately matters is that your choice of footwear won't subject you to too much hassle on your way to the boarding gate because, mind you, even celebrities don't get to skip the security scans. But heels, you ask? Don't even think about it! Those Amina Muaddis and Louboutins are better off using up your baggage allowance. You've been warned.
Gucci Run Leather Sneakers, €749 (approx. P46,000), GUCCI, mytheresa.com
Superstar glitter-embellished sneakers, $1338 (approx. P76,000), GOLDEN GOOSE, farfetch.com
Nike Air Force 1 '07 FlyEase, P6195, NIKE, nike.com
The Non-Negotiable Accessories
If K-pop idols and K-drama stars are anything to go by, some type of hat is a must—whether to disguise yourself from prying eyes or to remedy a bad hair situation caused by a travel pillow. Sunglasses also work wonders, especially the oversized kind, if you're all for adding that extra layer of mystique.
Triomphe Baseball Cap in Khaki Light, P31,000, CELINE, celine.com
Black Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $400 (approx. P22,300), LOEWE, ssense.com
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
