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Airplane Attire

I am flying from LAX to Heathrow in coach and am wondering what you recommend for comfort on the plane. What about shoes? Thanks!

Posted by
590 posts

Personally I love traveling in yoga pants, tshirt, sweater and socks and shoes. I am usually cold on planes and like having the sweater on. I dress purely for comfort on planes, especially overseas flights.

Posted by
1880 posts

I wear yoga pants, Puma 'sneakers', (with socks so I can take the shoes off during the flight, but keep my feet warm) a short-sleeve t-shirt and a lightweight sweater that I can take off when I get too hot. (the temp on the plane constantly changes from too cold, to too warm)

I wear a sports bra instead of my normal one for the flights over and back. Lot more comfortable than an underwire. Oh, no panties under the yoga pants, so no binding during the long flight over....

Posted by
8934 posts

I have worn rather long, somewhat loose dresses before while flying and found them to be really comfortable as opposed to wearing pants. No waistline! Plus it looks a bit dressier than wearing jogging outfits or yoga pants. If there is an upgrade available, your chances of being chosen might improve. Or so I have been told. I have a friend that always travels with a suit on and he says he gets upgraded every time!

Slip-on shoes are best, you don't have to tie them and if you are like me and take your shoes off while flying, you don't have to mess around with needing to tie them just to walk to the bathroom and back. I also find that my feet swell while sitting on a plane, so shoes that are not too tight are a plus.

Posted by
1357 posts

If you're looking to get upgraded, you'll definitely want to dress nicer. My husband works for an airline, and we have to follow a dress code in case they only have seats in business class. Doesn't happen often, but I wouldn't want to get bumped just because I looked sloppy.

I wear lightweight pants and a short-sleeved shirt, and either a sweater or jacket since I get cold easily. And shoes that are easy to slip on and off are a must -- I don't want to wear my shoes on the whole flight, but if I need to go to the bathroom, I don't want to be messing around with tying shoes. And, again, if you're looking to get upgraded, don't wear open-toed shoes. I don't know what it is that the airlines don't like about them, but I've actually had the agents at the desk lean out to check my shoes.

Posted by
1815 posts

I recommend a pashmina shawl, too. It has so many uses on the flight and during the trip, including as a light blanket. I have a special one for travel I store with sandalwood soap and it smells so wonderful when I am using it.

Posted by
875 posts

I wear a pair of REI travel pants (black) and a L/S pima cotton knit top. I take a nice cadigan sweater & my jacket too. I wear socks wiht my Traveltime shoes by Easy Spirit as they are so comfortable and easy to slip off and on. I also wear a belt by Bison (bought one at REI and another on Bison's website). They have one with a study plastic "buckle" that goes through security at the airport -- don't have to remove. That way I can keep my money belt attached at all times.

Posted by
5678 posts

I like to wear Travel Smith's travel pants. They are a knit and so are a bit warmer and stretchy for comfort. I have worn on my hiking boots, but I always have a pair of sandals or other alternative slip on shoes for during the flight. I stash the boots in the overhead bin and may or may not put them back on when i get off the plane. I like the ability to layer. I find that planes can be cool, but they can also get stuffy and warm, so you need some flexibility. You can be comfortable and look nice enough for that elusive upgrade. ; )

Posted by
809 posts

I have a couple of shirts and a jacket that have large double pockets, and I usually wear either the shirt or jacket. The shirts may not look dressy, but those deep extra pockets are very convenient for storing all the things I want to have close at hand. I second the recommendation for a pashmina; I have a nice black one that I use as a blanket and even pull over my head [in addition to my eyemask] when I really want to sleep. Slip-on shoes if possible, and elastic-waist pants.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks very much for all the ideas! There are some great ones that I never even considered (sports bra...ahhhh). And upgrades? Wouldnt that be heaven?
Im sure to have a comfortable trip now!

Posted by
251 posts

I would suggest going for comfort! We just returned from London on our first international flight and it was dreadfully long! We were in coach from Washington Dulles to Heathrow. I wear contact lense and next time will definitely take them out before the flight. The cabin air was terribly dry. Wear shoes you can take on and off easily. For a redeye flight you'll want to remove your shoes.

Posted by
9 posts

Yoga pants, stretchy tank with built-in shelf bra, Birkenstock sandals with socks, a long sleeve travel shirt & silk scarf. Have a great flight!

Posted by
2193 posts

That reminds me of a Cheech and Chong flick, where Cheech plays a Middle-Eastern guy who has trouble pronouncing “hairpiece” in English. He knew that he had “hairpiece” on his head.

Posted by
12172 posts

Layering is important since the plane is likely to get chilly at altitude.

Comfort is also important. Restricting clothes aren't only uncomfortable but may restrict your blood flow and cause swelling.

Remember, when you get off the plane, you will be in daylight at a major airport in Europe. Wearing pjs and slippers probably isn't the best idea. I wouldn't wear worse than I would want to be seen in at the mall.

Posted by
2193 posts

The obvious choice for economy class would be anything from the Armani, Valentino, or Versace lines :)

Posted by
2788 posts

Leather shoes (incase of fire) warm socks (it can get cold on long flights) and I dress in layers so I can adapt for the temperature inside the plane. I try to pick out the aforementioned that I can use when I get to where I am going.