For a long car journey, comfort matters more than a specific material. Choose trousers that do not pinch when seated, a top you can move freely in and an extra layer for air conditioning or cool stops. Creases are normal after hours of sitting; the goal is mainly that the outfit stays comfortable and still feels polished on arrival.
What a long car journey asks of your clothing
Sitting for hours makes fit extra important. Check the waistband, crotch, seams and room to move in particular. Stretch can help, but a good cut without elastane can be just as comfortable.
The outfit for the road
- Trousers with enough room. The Adelaide are high-waist contour-fit jeans; the Vincent are slim-fit mid-rise trousers with an elasticated waistband. Try both on while seated to decide whether they are comfortable enough for your journey.
- A top that sits well. The white Ophelia is slim-fit and ribbed; the light grey Edmund is regular-fit with a quarter zip. The zip makes it easy to adjust the temperature, but how cool a top feels also depends on thickness and surroundings.
- A layer for the air conditioning. Keep the Veronique cardigan in light grey within reach. Fine-knit lyocell, so light enough to keep on your lap.
- Comfortable shoes. Choose shoes you can also walk in comfortably at stops. Whether they have laces matters less than fit and sole.
A capsule suitcase for ten days
By car you often have more luggage space than on a plane, but with several hotel changes, packing compactly can be useful. Choose a few pieces that combine with each other; the exact number and colour palette depend on trip length and laundry options.
| Women | Men |
|---|---|
| 2 pairs of trousers (jeans and light trousers) | 2 pairs of trousers (khaki and navy) |
| 3 knitted tops or polos | 3 polos (knitted and cotton) |
| 1 blouse for the evening | 1 shirt for the evening |
| 1 dress or polo dress | 1 pair of shorts or linen trousers |
| 1 light cardigan | 1 thin sweater or cardigan |
| Loafers and flat sandals | Loafers and white sneakers |
Treat this as an example, not a fixed packing list. Adjust quantities to the destination, the weather and whether you can wash along the way.
How to pack smartly
- Put one bag with the outfit for the first evening on top. That way you do not have to open the whole suitcase at a stopover.
- Roll knitted pieces and fold blouses and shirts flat, with the collar facing up.
- Put shoes in a fabric bag at the bottom of the suitcase, so they do not press against light fabrics.
- Keep a small bag at the front with sunglasses, water, your cardigan and an extra top in case you spill something along the way.
Breaks and fuel stops: small things that help
A long drive is more pleasant when your clothing works with you at every stop. A few practical habits:
- Sunglasses and cardigan in the door pockets. That way you can grab them without getting out or searching.
- Turn up your sleeves instead of taking a layer off. In bright sun through the side window, a turned-up sleeve is enough, without changing your outfit.
- Stand up straight at every stop. Stretch your legs and straighten your top. Supple fabrics then hang well again straight away.
- Colour is practical but personal. Dark trousers show some stains less quickly, but light or bright colours can work just as well for a travel day.
Driving with children or pets
If you travel with children or pets, an extra top within reach can be practical. Choose clothing that suits how demanding your travel day will be and whose care you know.
What you had better leave at home
Mainly leave at home clothing that you already know pinches when sitting for long, or shoes that still need to be broken in. Beyond that, there is no rule that you must wear a garment at least three times before taking it with you.
On arrival: from car to terrace
On arrival, you can air your clothes for a moment or, if needed, put on a clean top. The navy Montgomery is a slim-fit polo with, as current size advice, one size up from your usual, and can serve as a second top.
You will find more ideas for travel days in the Airport collection for Women and in Lounge for Men. If you want to know why lyocell wears so comfortably on warm days, read more about lyocell.
Shop the look
Adelaide: high-waist contour-fit jeans, light blue
Ophelia: ribbed polo with quarter zip, white
Veronique: fine-knit lyocell cardigan, light grey
Edmund: lyocell polo with quarter zip, light grey melange
Vincent: slim-fit trousers, khaki
Montgomery: modal polo, navy
Frequently asked questions
Which fabrics crease the least during a car journey?
That depends on the weave, knit structure and fibre blend. No fibre is guaranteed crease-free on a long journey.
Are jeans suitable for a long car journey?
Yes, if the jeans stay comfortable when seated. Stretch and waist height can help, but are not a requirement.
How much clothing do you take for ten days of car holiday?
That depends on trip length, destination and laundry options. Use the example capsule as a starting point and adapt it.
Can I return clothing when I am back from holiday?
See the current conditions on our returns page.
