8 Best Wrinkle-free Pants for International Travel

A near-decade of being a fashion editor has made me extremely picky. Some may see my difficulty in being pleased as a negative, but it’s a trait I’m proud of. I’d like to think that being particular is why I give the best clothing recommendations, especially for travel clothes. As a frequent international flier with family living in Australia, India, Italy, and Canada, my closet is filled with high-quality options that are also approved for long-haul flights. For me, that means they’re comfortable and versatile without sacrificing style. But one of my biggest non-negotiables is that everything I own has to be wrinkle-free.

After 32 years of traveling internationally at least three times a year, I’ve curated a collection of wrinkle-free pants for flights. Sure, I’ve got a pair of leggings and some sweatpants in the mix, but nothing makes you stand out abroad faster than wearing athleisure, which is why my silky tie-waist pants from Madewell, surprisingly soft Levi’s jeans, or lightweight Gap trousers are always in rotation. Below, shop the wrinkle-free travel pants I’ve worn en route to my recent destinations and even fresh out of my suitcase after being shoved in there for days. 

Lululemon Utilitech Relaxed Mid-rise Pants

Just as comfy as yoga pants, these Lululemon trousers’ four-way stretch twill fabric moves with you no matter what position you put yourself in — and, the interior is made with a buttery-soft fabric that may just feel as good as going pants-free. The slightly cropped length is versatile and these pair just as easily with flip-flops and a tank as they do with ankle boots and a cardigan.  

Levi’s Ribcage Wide-leg Jeans

A simple, no-fuss pair of jeans that’s actually comfortable to sit in? If you’d asked me a year ago, I’d never have imagined comfortably wearing denim on a flight was possible. I’ve owned these for many years, but I didn’t think to wear them on a flight until a couple of months ago when I thoughtlessly threw them on in a rush to the airport. Much to my surprise, I stepped off my eight-hour flight to Italy without any painful digging or restriction. The wide-legs, mid-weight design, and 100 percent cotton fabric make the jeans feel light while still presenting a structured silhouette. 

Lululemon Ribbed Softstreme Flared Pants

Comfy yoga pants are a must, but not all have the stylish flare (pun intended) that I require. Enter: Lululemon’s game-changing Ribbed Softstreme Flared Pants, which feel as soft as peach fuzz and can make any basic turtleneck or long-sleeve T-shirt look more stylish. I own these in the brown espresso color, but the pink colorway is in my cart now. I’m already thinking about styling them with a black cardigan and some ankle booties for flights and holiday parties alike.

Challengym Flare Leggings With Slit

Between Northern Italy, Canada, and India, I plan on spending the next few months in a range of different climates, and I know these easy-to-slip-on flare leggings will be with me on every trip. The stylish slits look cool with sneakers and a tee but can be easily dressed up when needed (I’ve even worn these to the office with a turtleneck, blazer, and wedges). The stretchy, buttery-soft fabric and $25 price tag don’t hurt either.

Gap Easy Trousers

I’ve written about these 100 percent cotton trousers before, and I strongly believe they deserve all the attention I’m giving them. I love the shape, breathable fabric, secretly stretchy waistline, and pleats that make these look luxe. I’ve worn them with a brown cashmere turtleneck and ankle boots for a flight to Canada, and recently with a tank top and linen button-down shirt on a trip to Miami. The options are endless, and these Gap pants are a total bargain for just $32.

Madewell Pintucked Slim Pull-on Satin Pants

Madewell is known for its jeans, but I’m on a mission to get its other comfy pants on everyone’s radar. Here, the silky soft fabric, mainly made with recycled materials, feels just like my favorite pair of pajama pants. It’ll give your travel outfits an effortlessly cool look that can easily be worn up or down. I love to pair these with heels and a sexy top for dates, but I have also enjoyed curling up in them on 16-hour-long flights to and from India. In fact, my sister loved these so much when I went to visit her in India that she “borrowed” them from me, and I bought myself a new pair when I came back.

Mango Pleated Straight-leg Pants

There are regular 100 percent linen pants, and then there are cool, wrinkle-free linen and cotton-blended pants that manage to be breezy and breathable while still always looking refined — no steamer or iron required. This option from Mango is the latter, and it has the casual look of beachy linen pants that I easily wear year-round but with the right amount of warmth for the colder months. With a stretchy waist and stylish pleats, these are like the LBD (little black dress) of pants that I can rely on to wear for any occasion, forever.

Pinspark Wide-leg Sweatpants

Sweatpants that look dressy? Sign me up. I’m always cold, so I typically need two blankets on flights, but that’s not the case when I have these on. I’ve been wearing the off-white color on repeat thanks to the roomy wide-leg silhouette, subtle elevated seams that add a touch of sophistication to the style, and spacious inseam. They’re on sale, and I’m looking to add one of the other 12 colorways to my cart.

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