During a recent trip, I was irritated at the sight of sloppy travellers around me at the airport. It reminded me of exam sessions in college, when students suddenly think it is acceptable to go to school in their PJs – comfort doesn’t necessarily imply baggy sweatpants and old t-shirts. Sure a plane ride isn’t synonymous with a night out on the town but that doesn’t mean you should look like you’re heading to the gym. Not only is dressing nice at the airport respectful for other travellers, it actually influences the type of treatment you receive from the flight staff. Whether you’re heading to one last summer escapade or to an upcoming business trip, you’ll want to start your trip off in style.

When it comes to tops, your go-to shirts should be the V-neck and the polo. Thanks to their great versatility, these classic styles make perfect travelling attire. Tucked or untucked, worn under a suit in the boardroom or with shorts on the beach, these lightweight shirts can suit all climates and occasions. Hesitating on color? When in doubt, choose black. Whether day or night, summer or winter, you can’t go wrong with this timelessly elegant hue.

If you’re travelling for work or leisure, you should always pack a suit jacket. From meetings to fancy dinners to cool night strolls, they’ll always come in handy. For the most flexibility, choose a jacket that isn’t too structured, in a casual fabric like cotton or linen, and prefer solid colours to patterns. Wearing your jacket on the plane will keep you warm while being incontestably more chic than a hoodie – plus, you won’t have to worry about it getting misshapen in your suitcase.

Make sure that the pants you travel with aren’t too tight and that they’re made out of a breathable fabric. Although jeans are indispensable, avoid wearing them onboard – unless you’re taking a very short flight. Instead, go for stretchier khakis or corduroys. When packing, remember that three pairs of pants are all you need – formal trousers, jeans and a third laid-back option (such as shorts).

If there’s one pair of shoes that’s an absolute must, it’s the leather loafer. The fact that these laceless shoes can be so easily slipped off/on will spare you the hassles at security – which will be highly appreciated during multi-stop trips. Well-fitting quality loafers will stay just as useful throughout the rest of your trip. Mountain trekking or ballroom dancing, there is no place these comfortable and classy shoes won’t take you.

Every modern gentleman knows that when travelling, carryons are non-negotiable. Endlessly waiting for checked-in (and too often, lost) luggage isn’t your thing. While worn-out duffel bags are quintessentially cool, they’re not very efficient during slow waiting lines. Rollers are the way to go. Look for ones with solid and durable wheels and with a handle appropriate to your height. Although they make you feel organized, bags with complicated subdivisions are useless. What you need is different sized pouches (for travel documents, toiletries, electronics accessories, etc.) which you can then toss in your carryon.

And don’t forget to tone down your metal gear (belt buckles, shoe clasps, jewellery, etc.) – you won’t feel so sharp when the metal detector keeps on ringing…

Bon voyage!