Clothing on long flights

hz80408 · February 2012

(Prelude:This is a stupid/goofy question)

If you take an overnight long flight (US to Europe, etc); do you typically just wear comfortable clothes and then change when you arrive in your destination? Or do you wear on the flight whatever you'll be wearing for the next day?

(For reference, we have a 6pm flight and will land/check into our apt at noon the next day)

alithebride · February 2012

honestly i have no procedure for this. i wear layers anyway so a pair of jeans, shoes or boots, a tank, a long sleeved T and a light sweater that ARE comfortable but look nice too (meaning I dont show up in yoga pants). I dont ever recall planning ahead and then changing I just wear what I wear. If i feel ok when i get there i dont change. if i feel disheveled or i've spilled on myself i change.

dont overthink

meggers5 · February 2012

I wear comfy clothes (yoga pants or leggings) and keep them on until I check into my hotel. These are things I'm ok wearing out in public for hours if need be. They're casual but not schlumpy. The exception is if I'm going somewhere hot, then I'll be sure to change into cooler clothes.

AGsWife · February 2012

I like to wear layers because I get cold on the plane. I usually wear leggings, a tee-shirt, and a long cardi or jeans with the same tops. I also like to pack a scarf (in my carry-on) that I can use to cover myself with on the plane/wear when I arrive (if it might be a little chilly) I like to arrive in something I'd be okay spending a few hours in/not looking like a bum (since usually, I can't check in at my hotel for a few hours. If I could check in right away, I'd probably wear sweats/yoga pants.)

TravelingJen · February 2012

I used to always wear my regular clothes. However, when we went to Italy in September per the recommendation of my fiance I wore yoga pants. It made a huge difference in my comfort level and I can't believe I wore jeans for so many years on those long flights! As soon as we got to the airport in Rome, I changed.

alithebride · February 2012

i'm fine and comfortable with jeans on international flights and very comfy. maybe it's just me....not ok with yoga pants in public ::shrugs:: oh well.

Turtle143 · February 2012

I will shoot myself if someone suggests yoga pants. Okay, I'm just kidding but really there are so many other comfortable outfits for flying than the yoga pants. BUT for some people, it's their go-to so to each their own.

When I have an 18 hour flight ahead of me, I usually wear leggings, tunic, cardi, scarf, and comfortable shoes that are easy to get on and off at the checks at the airport. That's what I wore to our flight to Paris. When we landed and checked in at our hotel, we took a nap (why yes, first things first) then refreshed my makeup and wore the same thing to walk around the park near the Eiffel. It was 4pm by the time we got going so I didn't think it mattered to strangers that I changed my clothes or anything.

Have fun!

GilliC · February 2012

I'm with ali in that I feel like you're overthinking it. I would wear something loose and comfortable so that it's easier to sleep, but when you arrive, just play it by ear. Sometimes I feel gross and really want to change. Sometimes I'm too busy (e.g. Someone calls me to go get coffee or go to the beach right after I land) and I don't really notice what I'm wearing.

If you want to overthink it, check out shops like REI that carry travel clothes and pick up an outfit that's moisture-wicking and odor-resistant. It's more likely to be comfortable and fresh after you've been wearing it a while. Cotton is comfy on a flight, but if you sweat (e.g. hauling luggage to the airport, rushing to a gate, or stressing over long security lines), it will start to feel grubby a lot sooner.

emilyinchile · February 2012

I change when I arrive because I feel gross and dirty when I step off the plane. If I'm going straight from the airport to wherever I'm staying, I'll wait to get there and shower before changing, but it sounds like you'll have time to kill between landing and checking in? In that case I'd change at the airport.

Actually the last flights I did (SCL-MAD-LHR-MAN) I wore jeans but brought yoga pants to change into while I slept. Then changed back (same jeans, clean underwear) when breakfast came around. It's probably excessive, but I had the carry-on space, and every little bit of extra fresh feeling helps when you're traveling for 20 hours.

GilliC · February 2012

btw, a flight attendant tip I picked up here on The Nest years ago is to wear a panty liner on a long flight. Take it ut and throw it away mid-trip to feel "fresh" without dealing with trying to change underwear. Probably TMI, but I still do this. Even though my flights aren't as long as they were when I lived in Beijing, with layovers and getting to the airport, it makes for looong days.

VABeach08 · February 2012

What am I doing the next day? In all seriousness, really, I go with comfortable-- probably jeans, flats (or other easy to remove shoes-- yeah, sometimes I wear walking shoes... don't judge ;P), long sleeve tee, cardi/sweater/scarf.

But to be honest that sort of outfit is also similar to what I'd wear to just walk around and do regular ol' tourist things. Every time I try to go fashion forward for tourist activities I end up cursing Italian and Parisian women who make stillettos and cobblestone look easy [note: this includes several close friends in each category who've tried to explain it to me, but I still can't hang ]. While I don't wear yoga pants and sneakers to tour, I darn sure don't wear what the girls on the catwalks of Milan are sporting.

ondrea · February 2012

I usually wear a long sleeve tshirt with cardigan and scarf and either leggings or black yoga-type pants (not actual yoga pants) and flats. I pack socks.

Whenever I land I go straight to the hotel and shower and change into my outfit for the day. fortunately I haven't ever had to land and go straight to a business meeting or anything else along those lines.

AKuzReve · February 2012

I'll mix comfy and fashionable at the same time. So, tights or comfortable jeans. For my flight to Europe, I'll probably do jeans, a button down shirt, and a cardi. I like to layer because I get cold plus eliminates items in my luggage.

roar · February 2012

We wear comfortable but presentable clothing. So for me, that means knit pants, a long cardigan/sweater, and a t-shirt. For DH that means his most comfortable pair of jeans, and a shirt he's comfortable in with a pullover sweater. Usually when we arrive at our destination, we check in at our hotel immediately anyway so we can drop off our bags, and then change if we need to.

roar · February 2012

GilliC:
btw, a flight attendant tip I picked up here on The Nest years ago is to wear a panty liner on a long flight. Take it ut and throw it away mid-trip to feel "fresh" without dealing with trying to change underwear. Probably TMI, but I still do this. Even though my flights aren't as long as they were when I lived in Beijing, with layovers and getting to the airport, it makes for looong days.

I also do this.... and when I worked at an airline and traveled a lot, I also had toilet wipes. Also comes in handy for wiping off your hands and don't want to walk all the way to the bathroom to wash your hands off.

MDGirl · February 2012

My standard long flight outfit is ballet flats (easy to get off and on), this dress from Target, tights so I don't worry about flashing my underwear as I'm trying to sleep, a tank top or long-sleeved top under the dress, and if it's cold a longish sweater coat from H&M. It's cheap enough that I don't worry about spilling stuff on it, comfy enough to sleep in, doesn't look sloppy, the sweater coat keeps me warm without being bulky, and I can wear everything on the trip if need be.

I usually feel gross when I get off a long flight so I change when I get to the hotel.

laptopprancer · February 2012

GilliC:
btw, a flight attendant tip I picked up here on The Nest years ago is to wear a panty liner on a long flight. Take it ut and throw it away mid-trip to feel "fresh" without dealing with trying to change underwear. Probably TMI, but I still do this. Even though my flights aren't as long as they were when I lived in Beijing, with layovers and getting to the airport, it makes for looong days.

This is a great idea for super long flights.

Confession - I have no freaking idea what yoga pants are or how they are different than leggings or sweatpants.

I just wear what's comfortable, either jeans or I have these black, drawstring "sweatpants" that don't have gathered ankles, they're just straight leg. I suspect that they might be yoga pants, but I can't be sure.

I always fly with a pashmina, which can be used as a blanket or a neck pillow if rolled up. Now that I have my inflatable neck pillow, it mostly functions as a blanket because I don't trust airplane blankets/pillows to be germ-free. I'll wear the airplane blanket on my lap but I don't like it near my face.

I also don't fly overnight with makeup on.

Luckily when I travel for work I'm the lead guy, so I'm not dealing with clients until the day after my arrival and can show up at the hotel looking somewhat schleppy.

NDSUGirl · February 2012

Yoga-type pants (b/c they are comfortable & in my option pretty much look like black work pants too). Comfy shoes that are easy to slide off (not tennis shoes, which I think helps the black pants look more put together too) & layers on the top so I don?t' get cold.
I usually change and shower (if there's time) when I arrive, I feel so greasy after a long flight :S

hz80408 · February 2012

GilliC - Great tip on the liner; I will use that, thanks!

You're all right, I probably am over thinking. I definitely will not wear jeans. I plan on wearing boots and taking them off during the flight (but wearing socks) since that's a larger item to pack.

I think I'll go for the leggings/tunic type route and know I can manage if needed the day when we day or change if I feel like it

Turtle143 · February 2012

roar:

GilliC:
btw, a flight attendant tip I picked up here on The Nest years ago is to wear a panty liner on a long flight. Take it ut and throw it away mid-trip to feel "fresh" without dealing with trying to change underwear. Probably TMI, but I still do this. Even though my flights aren't as long as they were when I lived in Beijing, with layovers and getting to the airport, it makes for looong days.

I also do this.... and when I worked at an airline and traveled a lot, I also had toilet wipes. Also comes in handy for wiping off your hands and don't want to walk all the way to the bathroom to wash your hands off.

Ha. I wear panty liners every day even at home. I didn't know it was a secret!

GilliC · February 2012

Those of you who go the tights/leggings route -- when you go through the pat-down, do they request that you go to a different screening room? Or do you just hitch up your drew and tunic right there for the waistband check? I'm not modest, and I don't want to waste any more time at security to go to a screening room, but I've heard some agents have insisted that dresses only be hiked up in private.

ETA: Whenever I fly in a dress, I wear thigh-highs so that I don't have to mess with a waistband check.

Turtle143 · February 2012

GilliC:
Those of you who go the tights/leggings route -- when you go through the pat-down, do they request that you go to a different screening room? Or do you just hitch up your drew and tunic right there for the waistband check? I'm not modest, and I don't want to waste any more time at security to go to a screening room, but I've heard some agents have insisted that dresses only be hiked up in private.

ETA: Whenever I fly in a dress, I wear thigh-highs so that I don't have to mess with a waistband check.

I've never been asked to pull my tunic up. Just pat down.

MDGirl · February 2012

I've never been patted down when wearing a dress and tights, so I haven't had to worry about it.

emilyinchile · February 2012

Gilli, I think the tip is good, but is it really that much of a hassle to change underwear? It's never been a problem for me even in tiny airplane bathrooms, so I just do that.

GilliC · February 2012

I'm just lazy.

stever · February 2012

I wear baggy jeans and layers.

jlh123 · February 2012

I don't find jeans comfy for that long of sitting personally, but that's just me. I'm not a jeans person anyway so each to their own.

I travel in a long cotton skirt with a short or long sleeve tshirt and a cardigan for layers. I like long skirts because I hate dropping pants in those gross airplane bathrooms, the floors are always soaked. My legs stay usually warm in the long skirt (I have lightweight ones to heavier material depending on destination) but if not I have a jacket and/or long wrap packed in my carryon as well. I don't change when I get to the hotel. I usually don't change again until my first dinner at our destination.

MrsA1210 · February 2012

Always leggings or yoga pants, or occasionally a dress. I'll pair it with a wrap or cardigan so it doesn't look quite as casual, but I am definitely not dressing up more than that for a flight. I like to go straight to the hotel and shower and change - I feel gross after a flight, and it also helps me wake up and feel ready to go out and tour (if it's a super long flight or time change, I usually shower and rest for an hour or so anyway).

mxolisi · February 2012

GilliC:
Those of you who go the tights/leggings route -- when you go through the pat-down, do they request that you go to a different screening room? Or do you just hitch up your drew and tunic right there for the waistband check? .

I have had this happen and it is horrible.

I like to travel in leggings and dresses so I now wear a pair of running shorts over the leggings for security so that they don't make me go to the scary private room. Sounds paranoid, but nothing could be worse than going to a private room with a TSA groper.

Well having to lift your shirt to the bottom of your bra when they do the waistband check--exposing your bare stomach to your boss and numerous colleagues--is a close second. God I hate the TSA.

mavjen · February 2012

I typically wear jeans, cotton top and I bring a warm knit jacket like a hoodie and a big scarf. I always get cold on the plane and I do not use the blankets or pillows they provide on the plane because they gross me out. So, that's why I put my hoodie/jacket and scarf in my carry-on bag.

If I'm wearing boots on the plane (which I will do when I go somewhere cold, I don't want to waste packing space in my luggage), I always bring a pair of throw-away slippers (the kind you get from hotels) in my carry-on bag so I can take my boots or heavy shoes off (my feet always swell up in the air) and still walk around the plane or use the restroom.

eta: the throw-away slippers are also good for hotel rooms since some hotels don't supply slippers at all. I like to use them when I'm in the hotel room.

OUKatie · February 2012

For our recent flight to Europe, I wore a dress with leggings, a cardi, a scarf, and flats. I was super comfy, much more comfortable than I would have been in pants! It was great, like wearing pjs but I looked more than presentable.

Clothing on long flights

Re: Clothing on long flights

Choose Another Board

Search Boards