I Made the Mistake of Wearing These "Practical" Shoes at the Airport—Never Again

I recently went over the carry-on bag I ditched to make airport security more of a breeze. (Sorry, open tote bags.) Well, on a recent trip, I quickly realized that there’s another popular travel item that just doesn’t work for me. Yep, it’s those open-back flat mules that are officially a no-go.
Okay, let me dive into this a bit further. I’m actually a champion for this shoe silhouette in my day-to-day for running to get coffee or leisurely strolling around for an afternoon of shopping. But for travel? Well, while they seemed practical in theory thanks to the easy, slip-on nature—ideal for removing swiftly through security and on the plane for those long hauls—they ultimately just seemed to slow me down. I found myself awkwardly shuffling between terminals trying to grip my toes to keep them on my feet rather than being able to normally keep up with the pace of those in my party.
The issue only escalated when walking on that slight incline on the jet bridge with all my luggage. I just ultimately felt I was working too hard trying to keep the shoes on my feet to avoid tripping—when in reality, I could’ve just worn shoes that have the same ease but don’t make getting around as awkward. So for me, I’ll be reserving those flat mules for my non-travel life and opting for other shoe styles instead. On that note, I rounded up celeb airport-style inspiration to highlight said footwear picks and shopped out similar silhouettes if you’re also looking to streamline your next jet-set outfit.
On Elle Macpherson: Hermès bag; Chanel flats
Classic loafers are in the same family as backless mules, but just a bit easier to deal with for travel. If I’m looking to bring not only comfort but an extra dose of sophistication to my travel outfit, this shoe silhouette will do the trick.
On Rihanna: Raf Simmons shirt; Dior tote; Ugg Classic II Boots ($160)
Leave it to Rihanna to inspire us all to try slip-on boots like Uggs at the airport. You basically can’t get any cozier or cooler than with a pair of furry or Chelsea slip-on boots.
On Kaia Gerber: LHLL Vintage Crewneck ($168); Nike sneakers
Sneakers may seem like a no-brainer, but what can I say, they’ll always be a no-fail shoe pick to get through the airport with ease and comfort. FYI, I’m particularly into those more timeless picks (like Nike, and Vans) at the moment.
On Anne Hathaway: Monse jacket; Victoria Beckham tee
If I need a more dressed-up travel look because I’m heading straight from the airport to a social function, I’ll usually go for a pair of either flat or block-heel ankle boots for a forward yet practical silhouette.
Next, check out a stylish celeb-inspired airport outfit to inspire your next travel look.

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers likeReplica Store, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront ofBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
-
Katie Holmes's Tip for Looking Rich? Lose the Flip-Flops and Wear These Classic Flats (in *This* Color) Instead
A shoe trend to take from summer to fall.
-
Bring On the Transitional Weather—29 Perfectly Chic Pieces FromReplica Store to Wear Straight Through Fall
Effortless dressing right this way.
-
Cool Jeans and Chic Flats Is Such a Killer Combo—If I Were You, I'd Buy These
The bestReplica Store Anniversary Sale denim and flats deals ahead.
-
Dispatch From Paris: Everyone's Forgoing Sandals to Wear These Far Chicer Shoes With Shorts
Oui oui.
-
Fall Is Already on My Mind—I'm Prepping My Wardrobe With These 31 ElevatedReplica Store Finds
Each piece is chic and on sale.
-
Leopard Print Is Fine, But This Is the Unexpected Shoe Print Fashion People Are Already Wearing on Repeat
Controversial yet chic.
-
I Wear Chic Flats Almost Every Day—26 of the Best Finds FromReplica Store
Most are majorly on sale right now.
-
No More Black Mesh Flats Needed—Chic Dressers Are Buying Them in This Color Now
Spotted at Erewhon.