Dressing for occasions in Ghana
Travel outfits for men: comfortable and sharp
By sneakersInn team · Updated
The best travel outfit is comfortable layers that still look sharp: a plain tee, a quarter-zip or overshirt, relaxed trousers with a little stretch, and sneakers that are easy to take off at security. Planes are cold, airports are hot and you might arrive somewhere with very different weather, so layers matter more than anything else.
| Trip | Outfit |
|---|---|
| Long-haul flight | White tee, grey merino quarter-zip, navy drawstring trousers, retro runners |
| Short flight in West Africa | Linen shirt, chinos, loafers or leather sneakers |
| Road trip | Tee, overshirt, cargos, sneakers |
| Arriving in a cold country | Tee, knit, overshirt or jacket, jeans, sneakers; coat in your carry-on |
| Business trip | Knitted polo, tailored trousers, blazer, leather sneakers |
Why layers?
Accra is hot, aeroplane cabins are often cool, and destinations vary. A tee under a knit under a jacket lets you add or remove warmth without changing clothes.
Which fabrics travel best?
- Merino: warm on planes, resists odour, packs small.
- Stretch cotton: comfortable sitting for hours.
- Linen: cool but creases; better for short trips.
- Avoid: stiff denim and tight trousers on long flights.
See knitwear fabrics compared.
Which shoes?
Comfortable sneakers that slip on easily or have relaxed laces, already broken in. Retro runners are ideal. Feet can swell on long flights, so avoid tight shoes. See retro runners.
What should I keep in my carry-on?
A spare tee, underwear and socks, a toothbrush, a light jacket or knit, and any essential medicines. If your bag is delayed, you can still look decent.
How do I pack light?
Choose a colour palette (navy, grey, white, olive) so everything matches, and plan outfits before packing. A small capsule of eight to ten pieces covers a week. See the capsule wardrobe for men.
Questions
Should I wear a suit on a plane?
Only if you go straight to a meeting. Otherwise, pack it and wear comfortable layers. Roll shirts and fold the jacket inside out to reduce creases.
Joggers or jeans?
Smart drawstring trousers or stretch chinos are more comfortable than jeans and look neater than gym joggers.
Do I need a jacket for travel?
For colder destinations, yes. See the 5 jackets every man should have. Browse travel-friendly sneakers in our shop; our sneakers are high-quality replicas of popular designs, labelled as such.