This week marks the launch of Hailey Bieber’s new denim collection with Gap. The ’90s-inspired, relaxed-fit jeans – which come in three washes – fit the brief for jeans our editors would wear on a flight. Whether jeans are a viable travel choice or not is up for debate, and the jury is out in the Condé Nast Traveller office. But those in favour of wearing denim on a plane are confident in their opinions. The catch? The shape, cut and handle of the fabric have to be right. Comfort first, Hallelujah.
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Hailey Bieber’s capsule collection includes two different designs. The extra baggy jeans are inspired by a time-tested Gap menswear style – the ’90s loose-fit that the model and beauty brand founder has been photographed wearing multiple times over the years. It feels especially reflective of her personal (often mimicked) fashion aesthetic. The stand-out pro of these for me is that they’re designed to look extra baggy without the wearer having to buy them one size up. They’re fitted at the waist and relaxed through the hip and leg, and they pool slightly at the ankle for that extra air of nonchalance. In the campaign imagery, Bieber also just happens to be sporting them with one of our favourite summer footwear styles by Ancient Greek Sandals: the jelly shoe. The denim is non-stretch (not our first choice when it comes to travel attire, granted) but is designed to soften over time, much like your favourite pair of leather shoes. Wear them enough, and these are primed to be the most comfortable pair of jeans in your rotation.
If classic silhouettes are more your thing, then the ’90s low-rise loose jean might be a better option. Again, they’re cut to be relaxed through the leg, but less so than the extra baggy jeans. This pair would be my short-haul destination go-to, especially if I was landing in a city and planned to set off exploring without stopping by the hotel to change first.
(Hailey) Belieber or not, this limited-edition Gap collection comprises two very good pairs of jeans, and I, for one, have eyeballed them as my new favourite jeans to fly in. Below, our editors share their go-to alternatives, from Citizens of Humanity’s feather-light Miro jeans to Agolde’s barrel-leg style, and other classic options from Gap.
