5 STYLISH THINGS YOU’LL NEED FOR YOUR NEXT FLIGHT OUT OF ROHLSEN OR KING AIRPORTS

Latoya Matthew is chic and comfortable for her flight out of St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen airport earlier this summer. Her cute Barbie-pink sweatsuit with coordinating sunshades and slides get her to her destination in style. Luggage: Walmart’s Joyway brand. Photo courtesy of Latoya Matthew.

The summer travel season is in full swing, and local Virgin Islanders are flying far and wide to attend reunions, visit family, stretch out on other exotic beaches, and to shop.

Because of where we’re located in the world, most of our off-island travel has a flight time of at least three hours, with the exception of local travel to our sister islands in the USVI or when stopping by our friends over in Puerto Rico.

Flying out of our local airports is really not that bad, though (in some cases, many larger airports can be twice as challenging simply because of their share size). Here at Dress Better on the Weekend, we’re focusing on keeping things cute while catching flights.

We recently caught up with one avid traveler out of St. Croix—Latoya Matthew—to learn more about her fun and easy travel style, and what travel accessories work best for her when packing for her next trip. 

“When traveling out of the V.I., my go-to and most important accessories are a comfortable, but fashionable pair of shoes,” the Cruzan Rum site service attendant says. “There is no use in being uncomfortable for long travels—comfort yet on-trend is vital.”

Spoken like a true fashionista!

Rounding out her must-have accessories for travel, Latoya says, “A pair of shades, or as I like to call them, my 'Hater Blockers’, a statement jewelry set or just statement earrings, and just for kicks and giggles, I try to match my outfit to my luggage.”

We can definitely appreciate the attention to style and detail it takes to match one's outfit with their luggage.

As for her overall travel style, the light-hearted Latoya says hers can best be described as "a planned experiment."

"I take my time in picking  pieces that I like and are uniquely me," she says. "I once read an article where a stewardess explained why you never wear shorts or anything that allows your skin to touch the seats of airplanes. “

"So, I have adopted that concept and converted it into my style—light jackets or shirts with sleeves and long pants when traveling to hot-weathered places and bundling up when it's cold, but always remaining fashionable!"

Latoya isn't wrong. Airplane seats can hold so much bacteria, you'll want to cover as much skin as you can when flying.

In her parting words, Latoya stresses, "I do think it's important to dress comfortably, but not sacrificing style for comfort. Comfort comes in many ways, not looking like you just rolled over and grabbed the first things you see."

Inspired by Latoya's travel style (and some ideas of our own), we pulled together five items that will keep you stylish and safe on your next flight from home.

 1. SUMMER SCARF OR LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET

On the airplane and between connecting flights, the air conditioning can get really cold. Having something to throw over your shoulders that will cut the chill but still have you looking chic is necessary. Check out these lightweight jackets that are easy to pack or these summer scarves that can go the distance.

2. SNEAKERS OR OTHER COMFORTABLE SHOES

Although TSA no longer requires travelers to remove their shoes for security screening (whoo-hoo!), you’ll still want to wear cute, but comfortable shoes when traveling. Check out the Vionic brand for tons of comfy and stylish options (the brand is also available at Sole to Soul in St. Thomas) or visit Beek for high-end leather slides and sandals.

3. SUNGLASSES  

If you’re not wearing sunnies for your next flight out, are you even traveling? Sunglasses are a must! We love these Black-owned brands that have their eyes on winning the fashion prize.

4. CUTE SWEATS OR OTHER CLOTHING THAT PROVIDE SKIN COVERAGE 

Choose to wear a cute sweatsuit like Latoya or wear a striped button-down with your favorite pair of jeans or slacks, or over a body suit for an effortlessly chic look.

5. TRAVEL PILLOW 

There’s nothing cute about head bobbing when nodding off on a long flight. There’s a travel pillow for that! Check out the HUNZI Infinity Pillow on Amazon for a great way to snooze in style.