I almost never travel with jeans - nor travel in them. Not my style, and they can be heavy, and take a long time to dry. I also don't like to travel (fly) in a skirt - no matter the length. The past few years, I've been flying in ponte knit pants, slim fit. They're fine if I'm in the office but are comfy for sitting on a plane too. I work in academic research so I can be casual (ironically, I am wearing jeans in my office as I type this
) I think people should wear what they *need* to wear for their offices, and what is personally comfortable for travel (which will vary for each of us)
I don't think I ever consciously "dress down" unless I'm working in the garden, though I think I understand what you mean by that in a non-pejorative way
