What should you wear through airport security? Frequent fliers recommend these fuss-free pieces

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Getting through airport security is stressful enough, so your outfit shouldn't be the thing holding up the line. Looking polished is always a plus, but the best travel outfits work smarter, not harder. Think easy-on, easy-off shoes , layers that don't require a full wardrobe change and clever pieces that keep you from frantically digging through your bag while everyone behind you silently judges.

So, what actually deserves a spot in your airport uniform? We asked frequent fliers to share their wardrobe standbys. From shoes made for breezing through security to fuss-free layers and smart, travel-friendly details, consider this your boarding pass for getting through the airport with less hassle — and more time for the important things, like finding your gate and grabbing a snack (or maybe a pre-flight glass of wine).

These things don't have to be on opposite sides of the terminal. The best travel outfits hit that sweet spot: Soft, stretchy and roomy enough to survive hours in a cramped seat, but polished enough that you won't be rushing to change the second you land. "I think comfort and style go hand in hand," says travel YouTuber Ally Gibson . "Comfort is non-negotiable, especially on long-haul flights. That said, you never know who you might meet, and looking good makes you feel good throughout the day."

Sometimes the secret to a comfortable travel outfit is less what you wear and more what you leave at home. "I avoid jeans, belts and anything tight because sitting in restrictive clothing becomes uncomfortable on a long travel day, especially when your body can feel more swollen during a flight," explains travel blogger Hazel McKinlay .

And while the days of dressing formally for a flight may be long gone, that doesn't mean airport style has to look like pajamas. "Comfort is definitely No. 1 for me, but I still want to look nice!" says Megan Miele, account manager of business travel at Cadence Travel . "My mom was a flight attendant and started flying back in 1969. Back then, you dressed up to the nines to get on an airplane. Flying was more of a privilege and was much more exclusive than it is today.

"Now, almost everyone can afford to fly, and we fly a LOT more often. We also have so many more rules and regulations to deal with. So for me, comfort is definitely the priority, but I still want to feel like I look put together. I'm not trying to show up at the airport looking like I just rolled out of bed," she added.

The modern-day happy medium? Start with pieces you can comfortably sit, stand and sprint to your gate in, then lean on a few smart styling tricks to make your travel look more polished. Layer a chic, cozy sweater over a soft T-shirt and leggings for an easy upgrade, or take the guesswork out of getting dressed with a cute matching set .

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The best airport outfits include pieces that work smarter, not harder, especially when you're juggling a suitcase, a boarding pass and an overpriced airport coffee. "Layers are useful because airport and aircraft temperatures can vary so much. In colder weather I always take a scarf, which earns its place in my hand luggage several times over: I wear it at the airport and then use it as a blanket, wrap or makeshift pillow on the plane," says McKinlay.

Andrés Serra, trip planner and head of operations at Optimise Travel , has his travel-day formula down to a science. "My favorite travel outfit is a plain T-shirt, elastic-waist travel pants with two zipped pockets, a thin button-up overshirt and low-profile sneakers. The overshirt acts as a light jacket and can be rolled up to support my neck if I need it, and the pants are comfortable for long flights but still look good enough for a restaurant after landing." Cara Laban, founder of TravelReddi , agrees that pockets are a travel-day must. "I recommend pants with large pockets so you can easily grab essentials like your ID or passport and phone without having to dig through your bag," she says.

Choosing travel pieces that pull double duty doesn't just make the journey more comfortable — it also frees up precious space in your suitcase . A button-up can double as a pillow, an oversized scarf becomes an in-flight blanket and a pair of polished pants can hold your essentials and take you straight from a cramped coach seat to dinner without an outfit change. The more versatile each piece is, the less you have to pack.

And don't forget about what's underneath your outfit. Gibson recommends compression socks for long travel days, calling them "a game-changer for leg fatigue and circulation." They may not be the star of your airport look, but your legs could be thanking you by the time you land.

What items help you breeze through airport security?

A little pre-security prep can mean the difference between an easy trip through the checkpoint and becoming that person frantically scooping up loose change and jewelry while the line piles up behind you. "The most useful thing I bring isn't something I wear," says Serra. "It's a small zipped pouch I keep in my personal bag. Before I leave for the airport, I put my watch, coins, wallet, earbuds and other small items inside. TSA suggests putting pocket items in your carry-on instead of leaving valuables loose in a screening tray. This also saves me from scrambling to grab everything while other people are waiting."

Your bag can also do some of the heavy lifting. "If you are traveling with a laptop or iPad, a bag with a separate laptop compartment will make it much easier to get it in and out at security," explains Laban. She also recommends skipping jewelry and belts loaded with metal, since they can add another thing to remove — and another thing to remember on the other side.

And don't forget the right shoes. "If you don't have TSA PreCheck (which I highly recommend), then slip-on shoes, or just shoes that don't have difficult laces, are definitely helpful," Laban adds.

Gibson swears by a crossbody with plenty of pockets, like her go-to Bandolier bag . "It keeps my phone, ID, passport, wallet, headphones and lip gloss within reach. There's even a dedicated front phone pocket, which makes keeping track of everything at security a breeze." Everything should have a designated spot, so you can spend less time digging through your bag at security and more time relaxing in the airport lounge.