What is best to wear for the long flight over to Italy fr. calif.

On long flights I wear light-weight hiking shirts & pants I order from REI, clothes with lots of big pockets to hold boarding passes, passport, wallet, etc. I always wear long sleeves that can be rolled up when I'm hot, rolled down when I'm cold.

Once I'm on the plane I reach into my carry-on & pull out house shoes I can easily slip on and off. Off if my feet get warm, on if my feet get cool or I need to move about the cabin. These shoes don't require me to use my hands to put on and off (no room in Coach to bend over and reach my feet...wonder if Rick Steves flies Coach).

So you can see, my clothing choice is mainly aimed at staying comfortable in the long flight. Early on, I get hot from walking through the airport, the stress of boarding, and the pre-takeoff period when the air conditioning isn't working well. I usually get cold later (after the dinner wine wears off).

Flexibility and comfort is much more important to me than how I look to strangers I'll never see again.

Definitely wear your bulky stuff on the plane rather than packing it. As for "sloppy," just don't wear sweats. Some people practically wear their pajamas onto the plane.

There's no right answer... It just depends on what's comfortable for you and what you can sit in for several hours. I wear my most comfortable outfit on the plane - usually plain black yoga pants and a top. I just can't sit on an 11 hour flight in bulky or tight fitting clothes - maybe others layer and then strip off some of the layers on the plane... Using miles for all of our Europe trips, we end up traveling in a combination of coach, business and first class (depending on the best miles deal) and have never felt out of place dressing casually. I do bring my coat on the plane instead of packing it to save some space - that way I do have it if it's cold. As for shoes, I like to travel in something that's easy to get on and off and that I can stand in a long time if there are lines for security, passport control, etc... I do agree with the last post - many people have started to wear their pajamas or worn out clothes on the plane and they just look ridiculous.

Comfort not style is the priority. Wear shoes that are comfortable now as you feet will swell a little. Nothing worse than slipping them off and then finding they won't go on again at the end of the flight.

We fly for 20 - 24 hours and I generally wear light wool or cotton pants with cotton top and a light wool cardigan. I wear natural fibres as they breath and, being in them for such a long period, I find they are more comfortable.

One tip I was given by a friend who is a pilot is to wear cotton knickers and a natural fibre pants or skirt. Reason being is that if you need to go down the escape shute and you are wearing synthetics you will 'burn your bottom' as he calls it. Synthetics create a lot of friction on the slide down.

The last over night flight I was on there was a guy across me who went in to the bathroom, took off his slacks and oxford shirt and put on shorts and a t-shirt, sat back down, wrapped up in a blankie with a pillow behind his back and went to sleep. In the morning about an hour before we landed he got back up, back in tho the rest room, changed his clothes and did morning stuff and was ready for the day. He also had an eye mask and ear plugs. That was the first time I had ever seen anyone get so comfy on a flight.

Nancy,

I wore light, comfortable clothing. Comfortable shoes. Something I would wear around the house to relax. May is beautiful weather, even a little warm.

Helen, I can't wait to go down the slide (as if we are likely) wearing a skirt!! I find a skirt more breathable on a long flight, and easier to manage in the loo which becomes rather gross on a long flight. Nancy, dress in layers. It can become chilly when they expect us to sleep. Store the jacket in the overhead locker. Shoes - I wear slides.

Nancy - this was a great post. Thanks for asking and all the suggestions are great. I've been thinking about the same thing - how to be comfortable for a long flight yet look nice, too. I've been thinking about wearing a nice matching track suit with t-shirt underneath. But I also like the suggestion about yoga pants and a comfortable shirt and put a pair of ballet slippers into my carry on. So much fun to think about . . .

Nancy , A lot of great suggestions here. We also take a “change of clothes” in our carry-on for AFTER we get off the plane. We will head to the “restroom,” freshen up, shave, etc., and change into “NEW” clothes. Most of the time we do this while the other waits for luggage – which always seems to take forever! It’s a great feeling after being cramped up for hours in the same clothes.

Back when I flew a lot, I would use points to fly First Class. (Patrick, I didn’t see Rick on any of those flights???) Then I would use the showers in the Arrival Lounges at Airports. Since I flew to London often, Gatwick has some great facilities.

Here at FCO, for your lucky few with airline status, points, or $$$$$, there are a few lounges with showers, but unfortunately most are in the “departure” area and not the arrivals area.

Ron said, "Patrick, I didn’t see Rick on any of those flights???)"

Aw, Rick probably has his own plane by now ;-)

Since I fly out of Memphis, a Northwest/KLM (now Delta) hub, I almost always enter Europe through Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam. They have great facilities for after-flight sponge bath, shave, and change of clothing before boarding a short flight to Rome.

I pack light. I don't take extra clothing to change into on the plane. I wear really nice Lululemon yoga pants, a comfortable sports bra that I can sleep in and a "t-shirt" covered by a sweater. I wear a pair of cute Puma shoes that are sporty, and that I use when I need closed toe shoes for walking. I change/shower when we get to the hotel. This outfit is the same one I wear on the way home.

The sweater serves me on my trip too, but the yoga pants are reserved for the flight home.

I carry on my jacket (usually a rain coat)

I've never taken a flight that I felt it necessary to wear all my clothing on the plane to "save space" in my luggage.

I feel that I look very presentable for travel. Not sloppy at all. My clothing is black, with the except the t-shirt. I find that as long as I don't wear clothing that binds me in any way, I am a bit more comfortable on the 10 hour flight.

Thank you all for your great suggestions! We are going through Gatwick and I did not know that they had showers there, thanks Ron; a shower would really feel great after that flight. We are going on a RS tour so we are planning on carrying on our RS convertible bag, first time to travel so lightly. Thanks again to all, I love this Graffitii wall!

You would wear your bulkiest shoes if they would be too heavy for you checked in luggage, other wise I would wear something light and vaporoso.
I have to ahve comfort in the air plane.
I also carry a hooded sweatshirt or a jacket in the plane, because it's too cold for me. I prefer this in lieu of the blankets they provide.

On my flight I have ordered "crunch cloth" pants set from Orvis in Navy to go with my navy Crocks SP Shoes) My feet swell on a flight of that length. I wear wool footies and will have a mask and ear plugs and an inflatable neck pillow so I can hopefully sleep in my windo seat. Nancy

the most important thing is comfort--i wear a yoga top and yoga pants with a lightweight sweater or jacket, all coordinated. and slip on shoes--i always have to wait for my husband to redress after he goes through security because he refuses to dress comfortable--shirt, tie, oxfords, the whole bit. i can guarantee that every part of your body will swell, so one thing i don't wear is a bra--cuts into me after a while.

and last time i flew i found that my special travel pants (citiknits or chicos travelers type) were really irritating after a few hours. from now on it'll be cotton and spandex only.

Hi Nancy, for my long flight from San Francisco to Italy last May, I wore a denim skirt, a t-shirt and long sleeved blouse over it, tights (to keep my legs warm) my Ecco walking shoes and a long beige sweater. I was complimented on my outfit by several people while waiting at the gate. Think layers for that time of year and you'll be great.