When you’re getting ready for a flight, your first thought might not be about fashion. You have to make sure you have everything packed and that you’re on time for your flight (so many people miss their flights these days!). Once you’ve gotten all your logistics in place, however, what happens next? You’ll want to know what to wear on the plane! It’s easy to think “I’m just going to be sitting in a seat in an airplane; it doesn’t matter what I wear.” But if you’re spending money on airfare – and especially when it comes to long-haul flights – your comfort is worth investing in too! That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 16 best things to wear on a plane. You’ll learn why each item works well for flying, and by the end of this article you’ll have a solid idea of how to get dressed for your next trip.
Choose outfits that can be layered.
The best way to dress for a plane is by picking out clothes that you can easily layer up or down. This way, you have options depending on what’s going on in the cabin. If it’s too warm, take off your jacket or sweatshirt. Too cold? Throw them back on!
When choosing layers, make sure they each look good together and work well with the rest of your outfit. And try not to bring more than three layers total—you don’t want to be lugging around a giant suitcase just for your clothes! As long as you’ve got one light layer and one heavy layer along with the one you’re wearing (like a T-shirt under a hoodie), you should be covered.
You also need to think about where exactly you’re going before deciding what to wear. Are there going to be lots of temperature changes during your trip? Is it hot at your destination but cold when you leave? You’ll want lighter clothing so that nothing restricts movement or makes for an uncomfortable flight if things heat up unexpectedly—there’s no way of predicting how hot the plane is going to get mid-flight!
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
- Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. The last thing you want to be doing on a long flight is to feel uncomfortable due to your outfit. Avoid elastic waistbands in pants and shorts, which can dig into your stomach during extended seating. Tight clothes can also prevent blood flow and lead to health issues like blood clots if you are motionless for several hours at a time.
- A little more coverage never hurt anyone! Long pants or skirts (ones that cover the legs) is always a safe bet when it comes to flying. If you get cold easily, throw some leggings on under your skirt—it’s better than having goose bumps while sitting next to strangers! Also, keep in mind that the flights may take off and land during times when the sun is rising or setting; wearing light colored clothing will help reflect this light away from your eyes instead of shining directly at them like dark colored clothing would do.
Pack a cardigan, wrap or scarf to stay warm.
Most airlines provide blankets, but they’re small and not very warm. You can bring your own (or even use an item of clothing), but a cardigan, wrap or scarf is handy to have on board as it can double up as a blanket or pillow – especially if you pack a travel pillow. Planes are cold, so make sure to wear socks and consider packing a hat and gloves in your carry-on bag.
Think about what you need to take off or put on.
When you are in the airport, you will have to take off your shoes at some point. Do yourself a favor and make this easy on yourself by wearing slip-on shoes. It’s also important to make sure that your clothes are easy to remove and put back on as well, especially if you need to step aside for an additional screening that requires you to remove more than just your shoes.
At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that there is potential for security personnel to need to do a thorough pat down of any clothing they feel might be hiding something. Leave the extra tight jeans at home so security guards don’t have any reason believe you’re hiding something from them—and try not wear anything that is likely set off metal detectors! Anything with metal buttons or buckles can cause problems here, especially belts and similar accessories.
If you have long hair or very tight jeans, you might want to leave them at home.
Although it’s hard to imagine leaving your beloved skinny jeans at home, you should do so if you’re planning to spend more than a couple hours on a plane. Sure, there are some people who can sit on a plane for six hours in what might as well be a pair of overalls, but not everyone has that flexibility (literally). Before we go over the specific reasons why tight jeans are problematic, I want to make it clear that the point is not to get you to wear baggy jeans while traveling. There are plenty of ways to dress comfortably and stylishly while also considering practicality.
Your hair is another thing you might want to leave out of your outfit plan if you’ll be spending a lot of time in close quarters with other passengers. Although it may seem trivial, having your hair touching your face or getting in the way when trying to sleep can severely affect how comfortable—and therefore how happy—you are during your flight. The same can be said for long fingernails: they not only have the potential to cause discomfort while sleeping (or make it nearly impossible), but they could harm someone else if an incident occurs on board. Wearing minimal makeup will also help keep both yourself and others feeling safe and secure during the flight.
Wear breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
When you’re in the air for hours, it can be hard to know what to wear. There are some tips you should keep in mind for choosing the right outfit for a comfortable flight.
On top of avoiding heavy fabrics like denim or thick polyester blends, you’ll also want to make sure that whatever you do choose is breathable—meaning it will breathe well and allow your body temperature to adjust naturally. Look for fabrics like cotton or linen, which can help ensure that your clothes won’t stick or cling to your skin as they might if they were made of polyester or nylon.
Fabrics like cotton and linen are great because they are breathable and help regulate body temperature.
In the air, you’ll be more comfortable wearing natural materials that breathe well and allow your body temperature to adjust naturally.
- Avoid synthetic materials, as they don’t breathe easily.
- Avoid tight clothing. Tight clothing can restrict circulation, making you more uncomfortable and cold at higher altitude.
- Avoid heavy or bulky clothing. Heavy or bulky clothing may feel nice and cozy on the ground, but once you get in the air it can become too warm and bulky to wear comfortably for extended periods of time.
- Avoid loose clothing, as it can be uncomfortable when the pressure changes during takeoff and landing.
- Avoid anything that is difficult to put on and take off without disturbing your neighbor’s personal space (e.g., pulling on a hat over your head).
- Avoid anything that might cause embarrassment (e.g., if your scarf or blanket falls onto someone else’s lap).
Conclusion
You can never know exactly what kind of seating arrangement you’ll end up with or how comfortable the plane will be, but by dressing in layers and sticking to a loose-fitting outfit in natural fabrics, you’ll be on your way to a more enjoyable flight. You can also add a few accessories—a cozy scarf or pair of socks, for example—to make sure you’re prepared for all circumstances. So remember: dress comfortably, bring along some essentials like headphones and earplugs, and always book your seat in advance if possible. With these tips under your belt (and some new travel clothing on your back), we hope that all of your flights will be as pleasant as possible.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to choose the best outfit for air travel so you can look and feel your best while on the go. By following our tips, you’ll show up at your destination feeling comfortable, confident and ready to take on whatever adventures await.
