What to wear on a plane to look chic
With travel now back in full swing following the pandemic, I am frequently asked what to wear on a plane and what to wear to the airport.
If you are anything like me, you probably hark back to the days when one used to ‘dress for travel’. The reasons for this were twofold; firstly, out of respect for ourselves and our fellow travellers, and secondly, it was believed one stood a better chance of a free upgrade if one knew what to wear on a plane.
Alas, Easyjet doesn’t quite lend itself to the idea of glamorous travel!
So, how do we navigate this new, casual era whilst still maintaining a sense of style and elegance?
The key to knowing what to wear on a plane is to choose good quality, natural fabrics; layers are essential, and one should aim for a casual-chic look as follows:
SHOES
Shoes should be flat, wedged, or with a small block heel at the most. There’s a lot of walking in airports, and tottering around in high heels can look silly. Whether you choose ballet flats, sandals, boots, or trainers is entirely your choice, but avoid flip-flops, which should be strictly reserved for the beach/pool area.
TROUSERS
Smart denim jeans, cotton trousers/capri pants are perfectly acceptable nowadays, but no leggings, please; the only place for this item is the gym or at home!
DRESSES
A dress or skirt can be one of the most comfortable items to wear when seated for an extended time, and features highly on the list of what to wear on a plane. Just be sure it’s not too short. Otherwise, it can ride up to an inappropriate length when sitting; you don’t want to cause the stranger seated next to you a heart attack!
TOPS
This is where layering becomes essential as the temperature on a plane can vary throughout the flight. Therefore, being able to peel items off and back on again easily is important. Often, I wear a white classic t-shirt paired with a blazer, and keep a cashmere pashmina in my bag for when it gets really nippy.
ACCESSORIES
I also carry a traditional fan in my bag when I travel. This can be a life-saver when boarding a plane in a hot country with no air-conditioned Passenger Boarding Bridge. It looks more elegant than a battery operated fan and can be folded neatly and kept in your bag.
Finally, knowing what to wear on a plane and what to wear to the airport means changing out of your swimwear before you travel. Otherwise, you look inappropriate, risk getting very cold, and frankly, swimwear should be reserved entirely for the pool and beach.
On the same topic, please also ensure you shower before travelling; going directly to the airport from the beach can be very unpleasant for your travelling companions, especially in a sweltering country!
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