You have probably been there. Standing in front of your closet the night before a flight, trying to solve an impossible equation: comfortable enough to walk miles through terminal corridors, warm enough to survive the arctic air conditioning on the plane, and – if you are really strategic – heavy enough on your body so the scale does not punish your suitcase. Getting dressed for the airport feels like a logistical puzzle wrapped in a fashion dilemma. And yet, some people make it look absolutely effortless. Dua Lipa, spotted at JFK Airport in New York in recent days, just reminded us that traveling in style and traveling in comfort do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Why getting dressed for a flight is harder than it looks
For decades, celebrity airport sightings have served as an unofficial style guide for the rest of us. We scroll through those paparazzi shots not just out of curiosity but because they prove something we desperately want to believe: that it is entirely possible to look chic while bracing for hours of recycled cabin air and cramped legroom. The challenge, though, is real. You need a warm layer for the freezing temperatures on board. You want shoes that will not destroy your feet during a connection sprint. And if you are a savvy packer, you wear your heaviest clothing and footwear to keep your luggage weight in check.
Finding the outfit that checks every single one of those boxes? That borders on a small miracle. So when someone pulls it off with the ease of tossing on a favorite sweater, we pay attention. Dua Lipa has established herself over the past several years as one of the most-watched it-girls in fashion. Every appearance – red carpet, street style, airport terminal – gets dissected for inspiration. And even when she is about to board a plane, the singer clearly refuses to put her personal style on airplane mode.
Breaking down the four pieces that make this look work
The foundation of Dua Lipa’s JFK outfit was a half-zip sweater in classic Breton stripes, a nautical pattern that never really goes out of rotation. Paired with it, she chose a straight-leg washed blue jean with subtly frayed hems – the kind of relaxed denim that feels lived-in without looking sloppy. Together, these two pieces struck a balance between casual and polished, the sweet spot every traveler aims for but rarely lands.
On her feet, a pair of black heeled boots added an unmistakable fashion-forward edge. Heeled boots might not be the most obvious airport choice, but they served a dual purpose here: they elevated the laid-back silhouette and, as the heaviest item in the outfit, they saved precious suitcase weight. Sunglasses completed the look, an accessory that is practically mandatory for any star crossing a terminal.
The real scene-stealer, however, was the bag. Dua Lipa carried an XXL Chanel tote, instantly recognizable thanks to its red and blue stripes and the logo placed front and center. The oversized proportions gave the entire outfit an immediate summery, maximalist energy that is very much on trend right now. On a practical level, a bag that size can probably hold everything you need for several days of travel. The only potential downside? Its XXL dimensions might not pass every airline’s carry-on requirements.
How to recreate this formula without a designer budget
Here is the encouraging part: you do not need to be an international pop star to borrow from Dua Lipa’s playbook. Her airport look ticks every box of the ideal travel outfit, and each element can be adapted to suit your own trip and your own closet.
Start with the layering strategy. Underneath that half-zip sweater, slip on a simple tank top. This way, if the temperature rises once you land or during a layover, you can peel off a layer without ending up in something you would rather not be photographed in. It is the oldest travel trick in the book, and it works every single time.
If heeled boots feel like too much of a commitment for a long-haul day, swap them for ballet flats or any comfortable flat shoe. You keep the polished silhouette without sacrificing your feet by hour four. The key is choosing footwear that still looks intentional rather than purely utilitarian.
To carry that breezy, summer-ready spirit all the way to your destination, lean into Breton stripes, pops of red and blue, and – why not – a large colorful tote of your own. The maximalist bag trend is not reserved for luxury labels. A roomy, striped carryall in bold colors can deliver the same visual punch while holding your laptop, snacks, passport, and an extra cardigan for good measure.
The real takeaway from Dua Lipa’s terminal style
What makes this particular airport sighting worth remembering is not the Chanel logo or the celebrity name attached to it. It is the formula itself: a cozy knit in a timeless print, unfussy denim, statement footwear worn strategically, and one oversized accessory that ties everything together. You now have a repeatable template for every flight you take this season. The next time you stand in front of your suitcase wondering what to wear to the gate, remember that comfort and style are not competing priorities – they are just two layers of the same well-planned outfit.
