Would you travel in long-haul jeans? These 175 stretchy Palazzo travel jeans claim to be the comfi

Publish date: 2024-07-26

Our three former denim-phobic testers check out the travel jeans built for comfort, and to their surprise and delight, the results were nothing like the dreaded 'stretchy denim' of old.  In fact, all three were converts to the Palazzo trousers. A departure lounge revelation, whatever your size and shape. 

Sophie, Lindsay and Jackie show off the Palazzo travel jeans, £175, meandem.com

Sophie, Lindsay and Jackie show off the Palazzo travel jeans, £175, meandem.com

Jackie Annesley Editor, 61

Usual travel uniform Navy wide-legged cotton-jersey trousers and then layers of more navy: long linen button-down dress, T-shirt, cashmere hoodie, fingerless gloves, wool socks and sandals, big cashmere scarf. All to be discarded down to the linen dress and sandals when arriving in hotter climes.

Normal jeans? Frame is great. But for travelling, I find all denim too restrictive, too uncomfortable for hours in a teeny seat.

Travel jeans? A revelation. Reminded me of pregnancy jeans, but even more comfortable. And they look smarter than cotton jersey. PS: take a size down – these things really s-t-r-e-t-c-h. (Other travel jeans are available, see below.)

Jeans,  £175, meandem.com

Jacket, £595, meandem.com

Jumper, £99, jigsaw-online.com

Boots, £325, russellandbromley.co.uk

Suitcase, £170, antler.co.uk

@jackie.annesley

 

Sophie Dearden Fashion director, 32

Usual travel uniform Wide-leg tailored trousers a size too big, with a vest top and boyfriend blazer. Comfortable but chic, though I think my fiancé would say I look like my clothes don't fit.

Normal jeans? Denim is something I invest in – done well, it lasts forever. I like a relaxed denim from Agolde or Mother.

Travel jeans? I heard 'stretchy jeans' and thought, 'I am not wearing a jegging!' But I cannot express how far these jeans are from that hideous stretch denim of old – this cut is made to flatter. The material looks and feels expensive, the flare compliments all shapes and the wide waistband holds you in without cutting off your circulation. There are no bulky pockets, just two discreet ones on the back. I'm very surprised by how well they fit our three very different body shapes. All the comfort of our lost lockdown tracksuit while looking really put together. Impressive.

Jeans,  £175, meandem.com 

Top, £95, jigsaw-online.com

Earrings, £290, theysso.com

Necklace, Sophie's own 

Bangles, £175 for three, shop-daphine.com

Shoes, £295, meandem.com

Suitcase, £119, and duffle bag, £49, neretravel.co.uk

@sophieldearden

 

Lindsay Frankel Deputy editor, 51

Usual travel uniform Super-soft Sweaty Betty yoga pants, my favourite huge Paul Smith sweatshirt and cashmere socks – maximum comfort, but the kind of look only a celebrity can carry off with any sense of style.

Normal jeans? Uniqlo Boyfriend. I've had three pairs on rotation for years because at 5ft 1in, with a generous bum and short body, once I found a style that worked I had no plans to deviate from it. Until...

Travel jeans? 'Absolutely not. I'm too short and wide,' was my initial response. And yes, there was a lot of spare fabric on the floor when I put them on, but they sit perfectly on my thighs, bum and waist and the wide leg is unexpectedly flattering, making my legs look longer. I had the jeans taken up for £15 at the dry cleaners to a length that works with either heels or trainers. They aren't cheap so it's worth paying for professional alterations.

Jeans,  £175, meandem.com 

Jacket, £220, jigsaw-online.com

Top, £69, karenmillen.com

Boots, £159, mintvelvet.com

@lindsayfrankeljourno

 

Ready for take off?

Stretch jeans, £35, cottontraders.com Tie-waist jeans, £75, cos.com Pull-on jeans, £69.95, houseofbruar.com

Stretch jeans, £35, cottontraders.com; Tie-waist jeans, £75, cos.com; Pull-on jeans, £69.95, houseofbruar.com

 

Hair: Laura Chadwick at MMG using Ouai, Colorwow, Oribe and GHD.  

Make-up: Sonia Deveney using Charlotte Tilbury

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