Airport Outfits - YouLookFab Forum

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Airport Outfits

deb

Veteran

I do not understand all the articles on what to wear in an airport, do you? There seems to be a lot of them lately. Do you ponder what to wear while flying?

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from UmmLila (Lisa)

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

If I had to guess, I'd say those articles are a reaction to the number of people who wear some variation of pajamas to fly.

I do spend some time thinking about my airport outfits, though. They have to be:

1. Climate-appropriate (or adaptable to be appropriate) for both my starting-point and destination.
2. Comfortable for hours of sitting in cramped quarters.
3. TSA-friendly - I prefer slip-on shoes and minimal jewelry for the security line.

I know some people also like to wear their bulkiest items onto the plane so they don't have to use valuable suitcase space to store them, but I usually just make space or leave such things behind.

Shelly

Oh, yes. I think about my travel outfits a lot. Mostly I travel from Australia to the US. Sydney to Dallas, Texas is about 16 hours. Add in the time to the airport and hanging around, I can easily be travelling for over 24 hours.

That said, I like simple layers that I will be warm in and comfortable.

Lisa

Veteran

I sport layers and slip on or side zipper footwear. I recently traveled between two very varied climates (90F to 60F) and layers was essential. I stay away from lots of hardware on my clothing and I don't wear any jewelry going through security. The less metal, the less chance of having to wait while you are pat down from setting off the metal detector. In general when I travel (if it's not for work) that's usually when I am least interested in fashion. I'm going for the experiences, not to impress. I can put together the more complicated outfits once I'm back home.

Anonymous

I agree with Jenn about the reason for the articles. I think long and hard about what to wear, especially on an international flight. I've learned that if you look like you belong in business or first class, you may get bumped up there.

Astrid

Veteran

My longer travels were always by train and bus, I've never did a long distance flight so far. But I have to say I just wear one of my usual outfits and make sure it's one of the more comfortable ones and at least slightly layered (cardigan and shortsleeved shirt instead of warm pullover for example). But then I always make sure that my everyday clothes are comfortable when I buy them, so no need to worry about comfort when travelling. The only thing that might influence my choice of travel outfit otherwise is what I'm taking with me. I usually fly with only a carryon bag, so I wear my heavier shoes on the flight, for example.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Jenn too. I try to keep my travel outfit very simple but smart. I don't wear any jewelry either. I usually wear very comfortable jeggings and a long top, or leggings and tunic. It's comfortable and its non-fussy. I wear one of the easy slip on footwear I have in my travel capsule and carry a shawl or topper for layering.

Those articles are for people who probably don't understand how to merge comfort with style. I see far too many women strutting in sky high heels, struggling with their luggage. And far far too many women wearing something that closely resembles their PJs on flight! My best friend likes to wear track pants an tshirt too! So yes, those people do need some help!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I definitely think long and hard about my travel outfits. For all the reasons Jenn mentions and I use her strategies, too. I also think about my tote bag carefully.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I also put thought into it, if my flight is more than 2-3 hours, or if I need to change planes. Almost every time I fly I end up rushing through the airport for something, and can end up a stinky sweaty mess. So I like to wear clothes that are breathable, and somewhat odour resistant (merino wool tees are my fav). Temps in departure/destination, is it overnight, all play a part.

I'd love to see these articles... can you link to some?

Thin White Duchess

I agree with the ladies above, it's a real consideration. Security strategy (footwear, metals, layers they might make you take off), plane comfort (waistband for a long sit, unknown temperature), packing strategy (wear your bulkiest items or things you couldn't bear to be without if your luggage gets lost). I absolutely put thought into this. One part I don't personally bother with -- the idea of dressing nicely to possibly be upgraded. It's never happened to me or anyone I know, so I just go for comfort.

rachylou

Veteran

I admit I do have lots of rules for travel-day dress, but I don't like most of what they show in those articles.

kerlyn

Veteran

For me, the last couple flights I wore a short sleeve tunic, ponte pants, and a long cardigan with my boots. I wanted to have the moto boots with me but didn't want to pack them. It was very comfy, and when I arrived in my warmer destination I could just remove the cardigan. These particular boots slip on and off easily so they're no problem for security.

I like feeling at least somewhat put together. I'm always amazed at the number of people in sweats or PJs!

Anonymous

I'm guessing some guidelines for airport dressing can be useful for aiding smooth transit through security etc., but mostly I'm like others who have replied, in that I wear light comfy layers. Plus I do like to look pulled together and neat. My go to outfit is ponte pants a light sweater layered over a long or short sleeved jersey knit top, and my denim jacket or a trench coat. Footwear tends to be Converse.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I've always thought airport style came from the fact that an airport is an easy place to wait to spot celebrities. It's public, as paparazzi you're allowed to be there, and there are bound to be famous people at LAX (for example) every single day. And thus became a whole new category of fashion/pin-able pictures.

Anonymous

What do the articles say?
For domestic flights, I don't think much about how I dress, other than making sure I wear comfortable shoes, because you never know how far you may have to walk in a big airport. I just wear whatver I want to have on when I arrive at my destination. None of my clothing is so bulky that it makes that already tiny airline seat seem particularly smaller or so tight that I can't sit comfortably for a few hours. I have a known traveller number so I can go though the TSA Pre security line and don't have to bother with removing shoes, jewelry, laptops, baggies of liquids, etc. I highly recommend for any US resident who flies even a couple of times a year. I travel with carryon luggage only, so no worries about what I do/don't have with me.
For longhaul flights, I do dress in clothing that I think will be comfortable to sleep in - something like yoga pants and a knit top. Like TWD, neither I nor anyone I know has been randomly upgraded in the past 20 years or so (since the advent of upgrades based on elite status), so I don't concern myself with how "nice" I look while traveling.

Kirstjen

Veteran

I certainly think about what I'm going to wear when flying. I want it to be comfortable - my feet & legs have, on occasion, really swollen while flying. One time, I couldn't put my shoes back on when the plane finally landed.

I also want to make sure that I wear my bulkiest clothes/shoes on the plane to save space in my suitcase.

And finally, I want the airplane clothes to fit in with the remainder of my clothing.

I can pack for 3 weeks in a carry-on suitcase & still have room for souvenirs, but it means that EVERY SINGLE ITEM is chosen with thought.

Sal

Veteran

I agree with Cocolion, there are always shots of Angelina Jolie or Elle MacPherson at airports (except when they fly privately of course).

I often feel sorry for them as I always feel grubby and off after a longish flight; my skin looks fatigued, I have swollen feet and would hate to be photographed.

I choose comfortable smart casual clothes with layers.

JAileen

Veteran

Last February we went to Istanbul via LA. We saw this guy at LAX. (I didn't know who he was and had to ask one of the many photographers.) It must be really annoying to have paparazzi following you around like mosquitos.

Anyway, I dress for comfort and layerability. I don't particularly dress up or down. I also try to drink as much water as possible to avoid dehydration.

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rachylou

Veteran

Oh, Game of Thrones guy!

Greyscale

Veteran

I also think a lot about what to wear on planes. My clothing is all comfortable by default. But it's hard to find exactly the right layers for the changing temperature inside a plane, plus the changes in body temp when I sleep. I don't want to be too stinky and sweaty when I wake up, and I want a top layer that can work as a blanket for sleeping. I've settled on stretchy jeans, a long wool cardigan, and a cotton tee as my default, and for long overseas flights I pack a second tee in my carry-on so I can change when I land. I do try to look sharp so that I'm treated well and so that my seatmates find me stylish and intriguing!

Carla

Veteran

Well, yeah! What to wear enroute and packing capsules are my fave fashion stories. Isn't life just a big trip?

Enroute to a month in the UK, a week in the Caribean, a race weekend, a weekend in the Big City.

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I always thought there were so many travel outfits featuring celebrities because it was easy for paparazzi to tracks them down at airports.

That said, I am careful to dress decently while traveling. Usually I try to wear a blazer. My husband insists on wearing a suit every time.

My biggest travel peeve is the people who walk around in the stupid neck pillows.