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Most people see aeroplane travel as a necessary evil. If you want to take a vacation in an exotic location or foreign country, you’ll have to endure the long and tedious process that is travelling by air. While the whole airport/aeroplane experience is far from ideal, there are ways to make it less stressful.
One of the best ways to prepare for an upcoming flight is dressing right for the occasion. It won’t magically give you more legroom or comfier seats, but the right clothing will put you more at ease. Scroll down for our comprehensive guide to what to wear on a plane!
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Choosing Planes’ Clothing: How To Decide What To Wear On A Plane
Origin & Destination
First things first, ask yourself where you’re coming from and where you’re going. If you’re going to a location with a similar temperature/weather/climate as your origin, then this might not be a problem. But if you’re coming from a cold location and going to a warm one (or vice versa), you’ll need clothes that work with both situations.
An easy solution? Wear layers. This allows you room to take off or put on clothes as necessary.
Cabin Class
Business class is much more pleasant in general, but that doesn’t mean that flying economy has to be a painful experience. If you know that you won’t have much space, dress for maximum comfort. Avoid restrictive clothing like leather or tight denim.
Trip Duration
Clothes-wise, there’s a lot more you can ‘get away with’ on short trips (1-4 hours) – comfort isn’t as big of an issue, especially since you won’t be on the plane for long. For long haul trips, however, it’s a different story. A direct flight across the world can take as long as 15 hours, so your plane outfit must be something you can stand to wear for extended periods of time without problem.
Comfort
While you still have to adhere to social standards of appropriate dress in public (i.e. no wearing pyjamas or sleepytime clothes on the plane!), you can still be comfy on the plane. Fluffy sweaters, leggings, and comfortable flat shoes are cozy without being too casual.
Style
Lastly, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for fashion! There are plenty of stylish clothes that are loose, flowy, and unrestrictive that are perfect for plane rides. Layer a long coat or cardigan over a trendy sweater, stretchy pants, and your favourite pair of shoes – instant chic!
Plane Outfits: What To Wear On A Long Flight
Dress
Dresses give you lots of freedom of movement. For plane rides, we recommend sticking to mid or maxi-length dresses; too short, and you might be too self-conscious to truly relax.
Loose Pants
Sweatpants, athleisure, harem pants, or even just comfy jeans – a pair of loose pants will be your best friend on really long flights. They allow you to move and stretch around while keeping you warm in freezing plane temps!
Shoes
You can wear sandals, boots, sneakers, or anything else! Keep those high heels and impractical shoes in your luggage though. They might look good, but you’ll be dying for a comfy pair an hour into your trip.
Jacket
If you know you get cold easily, bring a jacket or scarf onboard. It’ll save you a lot of grief, especially if the airline tends to turn their AC all the way up.
Compression Socks
Some people may experience blood clots or swelling of the legs during long haul flights. If you’re one of these people, then wearing compression socks will help reduce those symptoms while you’re in the air.
Cotton Tee
Cotton shirts are soft, light, and breathable, so they’re the perfect choice for your next plane ride. Plus, they wick away sweat, which will keep you feeling fresh even after walking from one side of the airport to the boarding gate.
Other Tips For Long Haul Travel
- Keep other travel essentials nearby, like in your carry-on baggage. This includes a travel/neck pillow, scarf/small blanket, power bank for devices, water bottle, snacks, moisturiser or face spray, earphones/earplugs, and maybe even an eye mask.
- If you’re tall, claustrophobic, or just hate cramped seats, buy an extra legroom seat in advance to ensure your comfort. Aisle seats are also extremely desirable, so reserve them when you can!
- For long flights (5+ hours), take a few moments every hour to stretch. This will prevent cramping and pain while you’re on vacation.
- Don’t forget to eat and drink water! Aeroplane food is notoriously expensive and low-quality, so bring your own water container and snacks. Most airports even offer free water refills to those who bring their own bottle.
Ready For Take Off
Flights, especially long haul ones, can make you feel uncomfortable, restless, and unable to relax. But being prepared and wearing comfortable clothes really go a long way in making the aeroplane experience much more tolerable.
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