oh.. I like to dress well when I flight but with some confort: flats (a must), dark denin jeans, a nice jacket or a trench coat with a cardigan underneath, sunglasses and a nice bag.

Love the sound of your travelling outfit, Rute. Interestingly, it’s very similar to my own travelling uniform.

YEP! I just got back from a trip and wanted to take out my camera and photograph people from the neck down just for th fun of it (but I didn’t)

I usually dress for comfort and warmth. Those planes are usually freezing once they get in the air!

I’ll always have a jacket with me, even in the summer. I always wear pants, either comfy trousers or skinny jeans. I wear shoes that slip off easily for security – like my skechers bunji cord shoes, or boots with a quick zipper. I layer t-shirts and sweaters. I wear a scarf year-round, and gloves and a hat in the winter.

I like to dress well when I fly. You see *so* many people during travel and I like to make sure I feel good about myself. That said, comfort is really important to me too. I usually fly in dark wash jeans, some sort of nice top, statement jewelry, and ballet flats. And an interesting big bag!

Ah, airport style… Yes, I do remember the days when one dressed up traveling by airplane. In fact, we used to dress up just to go pick up someone at the airport.
When I travel on long flights (or any flight for that matter), I do like to look presentable. I wear flat shoes (or boots), either jeans or a loose fitting pair of pants, like khakis, and a nice top. I always bring a sweater or cardigan (if summer), and a pair of socks in my purse so I can change into them once I am sitting in my seat. I do not walk around the airplane in my socks. I did notice that people in the States have no dress code when it comes to air travel specifically. It doesn’t help that I usually land in Paris or Milano on my way to Croatia, so the comparison is inevitable.

I really surprised a friend I was visiting last summer by wearing a silk skirt on the plane (dressed down with a tee and flats). Hey, it’s the most comfortable thing I own–much more comfortable than stiff jeans!

I don’t fly terribly often … once or twice a year, but I did fly just last week so this is a timely topic for me! And I also fly in and out of Atlanta and it is definitely fabulous for people watching. Personally, I go for a stylish MOTG type look when I travel … you will never ever catch me out in PJ’s or sweats.

Last week when I flew out, I wore dark bootcut jeans, a brown cami, floral fringed scarf, a khaki jacket with elbow length sleeves, and brown leather platform slides that are super-comfortable to walk in and easy to take off.

And when I flew back, I wore a black sleeveless cowl-neck sweater, boyfriend jeans, and flat black thong sandals. I did go through security in a skirt suit because I think they treat business people better, and changed once I got to my gate.

I travel internationally quite a bit too and love to see what people are wearing. My uniform stays pretty much the same, just varied for the climate of where I’m coming from and/or going to:

leggings or soft linen pants
ballet flats or flat boots
lightweight cotton tunic (something soft, but woven)
cardigan or casual blazer
cashmere pashmina (no matter the season)

Plus sunglasses, sleeping mask, neck pillow, brightly colored roomy leather bag, and my hair extra deep conditioned and rolled into an up-do. I skip makeup and contact lenses during the flight, but put my lenses back in and put on some makeup and re-do my hair once we land.

Perfect topic for me because I am flying tomorrow!

I am planning on wearing leggings, tunic top and a cashmere/cotton blend cardigan and flats of course. I normally travel in jeans, but have just bought a new pair and they aren’t worn in enough yet. Hair is loose or top pinned back – rather than in a ponytail. I too take comfy warm socks to wear. My pashmina is a must.

I see a lot of MOTG ideas in this post. Fun!

I rarely fly, but most of these ideas are suitable for car travel too.

I also remember when people dressed to travel or simply to pick someone up at the airport. My mother drilled this into my head. We used to wear our Sunday best dresses to travel back to visit grandma, or to pick my dad up from his frequent airplane trips. So it’s very, very hard for me to dress down in sweats. My inclination is to dress up.

With that said, I don’t know why it is, but as I age, I find that I swell up during air flight. All over. In particular, my belly and my feet. So jeans aren’t necessarily the most comfortable option – too constricting in the waist band. I am more likely to wear a dress or skirt – which means I’ll freeze. Now that tights are in fashion again, I would choose a dress with tights.

Flats are a must, and forget boots: too difficult for the security line. Whatever foot wear I choose, needs to accommodate the swelling of my feet. During the flight, I cannot even fit into my shoes at all. So yes, I have travel socks (basically hospital socks, which have those little grippies on the bottom). I do wear them when moving about the plane, because my shoes just won’t fit. If I could get away with it, I would wear them for the first 30-45 minutes after the plane lands, because it takes that long for the swelling to go down. But I have too much pride… so instead I just suffer horribly. It is very very painful.

So when I see women wearing gear-type sneakers, I give them lots of slack. Maybe they have foot-swelling problems like I do?

Whatever I wear, I do not plan to re-wear on the trip. I find the clothes end up smelly. Airplanes smell funny. Yuck.

P.s. I wore my Uggs to Iceland last winter. It was practical, because I absolutely needed them for the weather there, but they took too much room in my luggage. Yet, I found that they accommodated my foot swelling perfectly. Don’t cringe Angie!!

Airports are just FAB for people-watching, aren’t they! I’ve taken to doing leggings and a tunic for both car and plane trips … nothing could be comfier.

When going on really long-distance flights I usually wear something comfortable, nice jeans, flats, longsleeve t-shirt, cardigan and/or fleece zippered jacket.

But I always make it a bit more formal with a little silk scarf or square in a pretty color mix which I roll up and tie loosely around my neck (you have to get creative and find out what looks cool) to fill a small v-neck or frame a crewneck. With nice glasses or some small pretty earstuds I feel pulled together or “dressed with purpose” and don’t feel so rumpled when I arrive.

A fascinating assortment of travelling uniforms. I see lots of individuality peeking through. Good stuff.

By the sounds of things, I’m a little dressier when I fly than what I’m hearing here at the moment. But then I’m a little dressier than most here in the States so I’m being true to my individual style! The most casual I dress when I fly is bootcut jeans, black and white Converse, button down shirt, black sateen trench and scarf. Sometimes I throw in my micro-check pants. My make-up, hair-do and fragrance does not change.

I ALWAYS wear a jacket or trench and MANY layers when I fly, keeping them all on during the flight. I freeze on planes and am very unhappy when I’m cold.

A word on jeans. Premium denim is generally soft and I’m very comfortable travelling in them, but I do understand that others are not, especially if you tend to swell up. Swelling of the body is very real when you fly.

A word on shoes. I found my Converse problematic so I swapped to ballet flats or slip-on slouchy boots. I find that much easier going through American security. (You usually don’t need to take your shoes off at non-American airports).

Shiny, I also don’t wear my travelling uniform again during the trip unless I have it laundered – which I almost always do.

This is a timely post b/c I just traveled to India a few weeks ago. It is a 14 hour overnight flight so my main goal was to dress for comfort. I wore a black skirt, graphic tee, black cardi and thong sandals. I stored a blanket and neck pillow in my backpack.

It was not my most stylish outfit, but I hope to do better next time I travel! In general, I like do still look stylish when traveling. In the summer, I prefer dresses and skirts. I just don’t feel comfortable in jeans for long periods of time.

I enjoy people watching at the airport too. This time around I didn’t see anything too stylish. Just a lot of jeans, yoga pants and lots of Crocs and flip flops!

I don’t have to travel too often, but I liked reading the suggestions from others. Thanks all!

I’m loving the descriptions of your travelling outfits and have noticed they could generally be categorized as clothes which give you a hug, squishy leather, sumptuous cashmere and pashminas.

Angie,
I’m all about comfort and layers too.
My big idea is if I look nice and there is room in First Class, I might get upgraded or simply better service!

On my recent trip to London I finally found what will not be my go-to for flying, for all except flying home to the Caribbean where the cat would be too much.But this worked like a charm:
Dark bootleg cut jeans
Feminine top/blouse in a knit(so it didn’t wrinkle much)
Dark ballet flats
Chocolate brown trench
Pashmina in my bag, later thrown on in the plane

I felt so put together but not fussy in the least.And when we took pictures on arrival I thought, hey, I look okay.Not the wreck I usually look like after a flight!

whoops, typo there–that WILL be my go-to for flying!
Must not type while eating…

“Crotch-scraping” is my new favorite term! Quite descriptive. It reminds me of the woman that was asked to leave a flight a few years ago because her skirt was too short. Anyone remember that?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20638479/

I think it depends on so many things. Why are you traveling? Business or pleasure? How long is the flight? What is the weather like where you are starting vs where you end up?

For my flight to Boston, which took a mere 45 minutes and the temperatures were more or less the same, I saw no real excuse for looking sloppy. I wore leggings, a tunic, and slip on sneakers. Although not everyone was dressed superbly, I was actually surprised to see most people weren’t dressed that badly either. Very little loungewear. On the way back I wore my Brulees, but it wasn’t a great idea to have to do all the buckling and unbuckling through security.

However, if I were flying from here to Australia, I frankly do not mind a less than stellar outfit. If I’m starting out in the dead of a NY winter to the crazy heat of an Australian summer (and a cold day and a half flight in between), I can’t say I would judge anyone who decided to come in their loungewear. Comfort is ultimately a personal thing, and there is NO WAY I would be comfortable wearing jeans for 30 hours! I don’t do that in my day-to-day life so why would I do it on a plane, which is far more unpleasant? A cotton lounge suit is just practical. The hooded top layer can be removed once you land, the bottom layer is warm in the cold, but loose enough to be cool in the heat. And yes, I would wear it with my ugly Saucony sneakers. They can be slipped off and back on and they are dreamily comfortable for long airport walks. Also, by the time I land in a far-away destination, honestly, I look and feel really dirty and crummy, and I just hate to spoil nice clothes that way (since I won’t be doing laundry). However, once I get to wherever I’m going (hotel or relatives’ house or whatever), I freshen up and change.

Sorry Angie! Sometimes looking great just isn’t the most important thing to me.

I can remember wearing white gloves while traveling by airplane! Everyone has covered what I wear. Good looking trousers with some lycra, a cashmere cardi, and terrific scarf are the basics. In winter I wear my boots (pull-on Chelsea style) because they take up too much room in my luggage and they are great for striding along. I also like some Clergerie stretchy platforms. My favorite accessory is my husband who always wears an impeccable navy blazer, shirt and tie. We have gotten bumped up because we look like we know what we’re doing and we are nice to everyone.

I try to aim for “casual, but neatly put together” — light jacket, button down over a graphic tee, dark wash bootcut jeans. Shoes vary the most because it depends a lot on what shoes I want with me on the trip: I’ve taken everything from knee-high boots (annoying, but no room in suitcase) to my black leather loafers (dresses outfit up a little, good for going through security).

No jewelry or any accessories; I’m a very fidgety traveller and I figure it’s better to be more low-key throughout the trip, be far more comfortable and come out at the end looking about the same as I did at the beginning than to dress up a bit more, be incredibly uncomfortable and look like a wrinkly mess at the end. Sort of defeats the purpose of dressing up, doesn’t it?

I think people don’t dress up as much for flying these days because it’s just not as nice an experience as it used to be — although it’s also cheaper, as far as I understand.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines attendants (aka “Singapore Girls,” ew) always look well put together because it’s part of their job description (or more accurately, their jobs depend on it). There are extremely stringent requirements for height, weight, age (oldest applicants are 25, mandatory retirement at 35), acceptable hair color, acceptable hair style, required colors for lipstick, eyeshadow, fingernail polish and toenail polish … SIA attendants should definitely be lauded for good service and training, but I’m pretty sure they could carry out their jobs just as well if they were allowed to wear green eyeshadow — or no eyeshadow at all — instead of blue, or pink fingernails instead of red. Yeesh.

My husband and I always play a game of looking for “Mr. and Ms. Traveler” when we’re at the airport… The people we think look the most polished and put-together. We haven’t started handing out trophies yet, but that may still happen.

Oh I remember that long flight home from South Africa – I was 7 months pregnant with child 3 and really, that flight was worse than labor!

On Monday I’m taking my first flight for business in ten years. I’m supposing I’ll wear boots, trousers and a blouse. Not very practical.

My question is make-up: Do I apply it when I arrive? I normally don’t wear any, but want to look fresh for the meetings.

Great post! I love the equestrian look, too. Very polished.

-meream

The new BCBG catalog shows their new line of clothing called “Bon Voyage.” It’s for travel. How smart is that! They show leggings, sporty skimmer-type shoes, cascading cardis, a cascading turtleneck, moto jacket of knit (sweatshirt-type) material, and more.

I love this post, Angie. I’m all for dressing nicely for a long plane trip. I’ve gone both ways, but definitely prefer being on the polished (yet still comfortable) side. I just feel better when traveling that way.

I had your descriptions in mind today while traversing campus and think I noticed all of them here, too. The snazzy dressers, the PJs, the flip-flops, etc. The only things missing were the ethnic dress and the super business suits- but I bet they exist somewhere on campus. Great people watching regardless.

(And I kept a watch out for PPL…which has been sadly absent thus far in the day.)

I am usually meeting some one important at the other end so while I go casual it has to be chic.

Nice slacks or jeans, ballet flats, a nice blouse, with or without buttons, or turtleneck, and a sweater and/or wrap. That’s my uniform. And I travel a lot for business.

I had my rant about flip flops on airplanes on another thread, but to recap briefly, I cringe at all the unsightly, poorly groomed feet being paraded around in airports and on planes. It’s downright gross.

I like to wear my Dansko clogs when I fly. They are easy to slip on and off for security, easy on the feet when standing in long lines, and they add a couple of inches so I am able to touch the floor when I’m in my airplane seat. (That’s right! I’m a shorty!)

I have been alternating my hair between straight and curly lately. When I fly I wear my hair straight, because all of the seat squashing, bag hauling, and changes in humidity from town to town render my curls a frizzy, frumpy mess. When it is straight I can usually smooth it out to a somewhat presentable fashion.

Finally, I wore a sweater coat a few years ago when I traveled overseas, and it was the most comfortable and warm I have even been on a flight.

That’s hilarious about the businessman in his pyjamas under a long coat! What a classic!

I was JUST thinking about this as I was traveling this past week. I was dressed comfortably, yet admiring the very well-dressed women in the airport. I actually wondered what YOU would say the quintessential traveling outfit would be! Especially the shoes! I can’t imagine wearing heels to trek around all the airports.

Can’t wear jeans – not comfortable enough for me. I have some stretch black pants that are great, which I wear with some knit tops layered (I tend to get cold), with a stylish cardie over the top and ballet flats on my feet.

It’s interesting that denim is preferred travel wear (for me as well) but I’d be curious if the new style ponte stretch trouser replaces jeans for some of us? May be the perfect travel wear if the right pair is found?

Loves reading all the responses – very interesting!
I like a balance of comfort and smart casual (things that don’t wrinkle are nice).

Ooo…I totally meant to tell you about my India travel attire this time around. I wore my beige BR cowl neck top, jeans hemmed for flats, rasberry-ish cord jacket, fashion sneakers, black gumball bead necklace, chunky black & white bracelet I picked up on sale while in between flights at an airport. And something similar on my return trip. And though I never dress in gear or sweats, it was still a step up from my previous airplane avatars Who knows, maybe it was also why cute SA boy started talking to the minute we boarded…LOL!

I always wear denim on a long flight because at some point I end up curling up on the chair wrapped in a blanket. I try to wear layers on top because I FREEZE on the plane.

If I am headed somewhere tropical I will often travel in cute flip flops…just makes sense for the airport too. …if I am headed somewherer quick …like Vegas…about 50 min…I do sometimes where a skirt or dress and heels in the summer.

I have to admit; on overseas flights I often change into loungewear in the plane washroom: sweatpants, tshirt, sweater and thick socks. I swell a lot on planes and also find it terribly difficult to sleep and being super-comfy helps with both. Usually put my hair back in a soft head band, too, to keep it off my face and apply moisturizer. An hour before arriving, I’ll remove the headband, change back into my “nice” travel clothes (usually jeans, a knit long-sleeved shirt, cardi and ballet shoes/ boots depending on the season) and apply a bit of makeup. Large unglasses are a must for me; when I arrive at my destination, they help cover up my exhausted face and help me feel as though I look a bit more chic and a bit less rumpled.

I travel a lot and see quite a variety of dress from the “plane” Jane, the traveling tragedy to the GQ dude who is impeccably dressed. But, seriously, let’s talk about who you’d rather sit next to, if you had a choice. I myself would prefer to sit next to someone who looks like they did more than roll out of bed before they left for the airport. I’m not sure some of those travelers even got around to brushing their teeth. Please, at least look like you didn’t sleep on the street the night before – and put on something other than sweat pants and flip flops. Why not a pair of jeans, a clean shirt and comb your hair?

Fun topic! If the flight is less than 6 hours, I dress in whatever the biggest items I want to bring with me – I hate big luggage. If it’s a long international flight, all bets are off. I usually end up in knitwear. It’s hard enough for me to sleep on planes – in jeans and boots, forget about it!

I prefer to travel in a jersey wrap dress. It is as comfy as sweats, looks great, and can be washed out in the sink and hung to dry if necessary at my destination (I am all about not checking luggage). This has been a summer look for me (with sandals and a cardi or pashmina) but it will be year round now that I have purchased leggings. I would not be comfortable in tights or jeans for a long trip.
In general I wear my bulkiest shoes but this choice is more governed by what I have to deal with at security than fashion. For example, will I be at a busy airport, do I have my laptop, do I have children with me, is DH with me, etc. etc. The less I have to deal with at security, the more likely I am to wear bulkier shoes.

I always brings socks. If I’m wearing sandals, then I put the socks on in the security line. One time I had to walk through security in Newark barefoot and I was so grossed out. I also keep the socks handy for the plane (at my seat only) but I am not usually cold.

I’ll admit that I definitely go for comfort when it comes to flying – especially since most of my flights are cross-country 4-5 hour flights. But I don’t go out in public in sweats/yoga pants/leggings, so I wouldn’t fly in them either!

Always pants (otherwise my legs get cold), but never jeans (I can’t curl up well enough in them). Tank top (planes are usually too hot while they’re sitting on the runway) and a cardigan for once the air gets turned on. Shoes that come off easily and are small enough to stuff under the seat in front with my bag. Extra socks if it’s summer and I’m wearing sandals. No jewellery. Yes, it’s true, I pretty much do have an airplane uniform!

Another thing to consider is what happens after you arrive. I have been on a number of long international flights that arrived in the morning and I had to continue in whatever I was wearing all day while touring around without opportunity to change or shower. Sometimes the climate has been radically different from my starting point. I had to spend an entire day once in high heat wearing black pants and long-sleeved top. It wasn’t supposed to be hot but it was an unusual weather situation. Never again. I will assume hot or cold at arrival and layers that will add up to either situation. No jeans, no boots, no constricting things. Garments that look good after sitting and sleeping for hours. Changing on the plane into knit loungewear to sleep is a great option. I rather prefer a skirt since it can be tricky keeping your pants off the floor in the tiny restrooms. Add tights or knee socks for climate control.

- Ballet flats
- Long-sleeved shirt (draped top usually)
- Comfortable waistband happy pants (I found a pair of sweats that look very chic, almost like trousers)
- Big comfortable hoodie
- Pashmina (just in case)

And I pack thick woolly socks to put on after I slip my shoes off

My daughter moved to Seattle so I’ve been flying a lot more from the east coast. (just an aside but my two favorite blogs are based in Seattle – I started reading them before she moved and of course, YLF is one of them!) I wore my work clothes on our last flight two days ago – a simple Ann Taylor shirt & dress slacks with some dressier city sandals with heels. I felt better this last flight than when I wear rattier “comfy” clothes and plan to keep dressing up a bit more for travel.

When I travel I like to dress to impress. So when I land I won’t have to waste time to prepare myself all over again and just begin my activity. You never know who you might meet at the airport..

Next week I’m going to Vegas with some girlfriends and I’m getting my hair done in the morning before I leave on my flight (only 3 hours) and I plan on wearing leggings, flat suede boots, a scoop neck boyfriend sweater, and this gorgeous creamy white coat… the hair is for the night life.. I love to have volumnious curls because it’s sexy and it’ll last for 2 days..

Then the day after I arrive in Vegas I will have to pick up my boyfriend that is coming from Switzerland to meet me in Vegas and I want to impress him because we haven’t seen each other for 3 months! I have my outfit planned.. I’m gonna wear this sexy sweater dress with gray suede heel boots and a white coat.. of course my hair will still be perfect and sexy.