Plus Size Travel Essentials || The Perspective of a Size 20/2x-3x
Hey y'all, Jenni here! Traveling as a plus size gal comes with its own unique set of challenges. However, it can be just as fun and enjoyable by adding a few plus size travel essentials to your packing routine. We're sharing five of them with you today.
If you have any essentials we didn't mention, PLEASE leave them in the comments below. We're always looking for ways to make travel more comfortable and enjoyable for all.
Anti-Chafe Product
I'm one of those thick-thighed girlies, so an anti-chafe product is a MUST if I'm going somewhere wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses. I've tried a few different options, and always come back to the holy grail, Body Glide.
Body Glide has several different options for chaffing balms, all for different purposes. However, I've only used the Body Glide for Her, and I love it. It's super compact and easy to throw in your bag. It's a solid, so no need to take up space in your liquids bag on flights. The deodorant-style stick makes for an easy application process. It's just an all around great product, and one stick lasts for quite a while.
One thing I will say is that it does sweat off, so if you're going somewhere where your thighs (or wherever you apply this) will be sweating, make sure you bring it with you to reapply.
Comfortable Shoes
This is a must for ANYONE traveling, but I think especially for us plus size travelers. If we're going to be walking around a lot, we need a shoe that will support us, keep us comfortable, all without weighing us down.
Skechers are my go-to for all seasons, all trips, and life in general. They have so many different styles for various seasons and occasions. The shoes come in wide-width in addition to normal-width. The colors are extensive. The shoes themselves are all super comfortable whether you're wearing it for a short amount of time, or walking around a city or amusement park for hours at a time.
My old favorite pairs of Skechers were my Go Walk Joy and the original Shindigs (no longer sold). I'm still salty about the amazing Shindigs, because they were the perfect shoe for winter travel. Amazingly comfortable (once broken in), great support, superb traction, and still stylish. Skechers, if you're reading this, bring those babies back. We found a couple of similar options (note: we've never tried these options, so can't speak to quality). Here is one from Skechers that does not come in wide width, and here is one from TIOSEBON that does come in wide width.
Our recent fave is the Skechers Slip-ins for their comfort and ease of use.
Regardless of what shoe you choose, make sure they're comfortable and can give you some much-needed support for days you'll be walking a lot.
Comfortable Clothes
Much like the shoes, comfortable clothes is something every traveler needs. One of our favorite places to get stylish, comfortable, and all around great clothes is a boutique in Stanford, Kentucky called Morgan's On Main. While you may not be close enough to shop in store, they do offer free nationwide shipping on orders of $75 or more and a flat shipping rate for orders under $75. They have both straight-sizes and plus-sizes, and style is not spared in either category.
Some of our other travel favorites include the leggings pictured above. These are from New Mix, and they are buttery soft, super easy to pack, and flattering on any body-type. They have both solid colors and prints. On our first trip to Europe we went a little crazy with the prints, but the solids are great options if you're more into subtle styles.
If you're traveling in winter, you'll need a good winter coat. These can be hard to find in cute styles for larger bodies, but we've had great success at Target for this. While they don't sell the coat we currently have, we did find two very similar options. Both are by the brand ellos and one goes to a size 24 and the other to a 34.
Seatbelt Extender
While it shouldn't be, asking for a seatbelt extender can be a mortifying experience. That's why I went on Amazon and purchased my own. It was affordable, and, if you're uncomfortable asking your flight attendants, it gives you great peace-of-mind when you board any flight.
The one I ordered came with a little travel bag, and it packs away great in our carry-on bag.
The Perfect Bag
The struggle is real when it comes to finding the perfect bag. The straps aren't long enough, it just doesn't lay right, or it's super ugly. We've found our holy grail bags with Travelon.
The straps don't dig into your skin. They come equipped with slash-proof fabric and locking zippers. They come in so many sizes, and the straps extend long enough for multiple body types. Our favorites are the Heritage collection crossbody bag and backpack. Both are absolutely fabulous and stand the test of time.
___
Traveling as a plus size person does not have to be a hassle. With this short list of essentials, you can make your travel, whether by land or air, as comfortable as possible.
Are there any essentials we missed? Let us know in the comments!