Crafting the Perfect Plane Outfit: The Real Gal’s Guide

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You always see photos of celebrities arriving to the airport looking effortlessly chic, but how do us real gals do it? What do we wear when flying that balances out our need to be comfortable and our desire to reach our packing goals, all while not looking like a total slob?

In crafting the perfect plane outfit for yourself, the most important factors to consider are your flight length and your desired comfort level.

Comfort is key! While other factors may sway you to think differently (such as traveling for work and immediately jetting off to a business meeting on arrival), comfort should still be your number one when deciding what to wear on the plane.

I’ll share my tips for those needing to look nice on arrival (and those wishing to be upgraded) later in this post. For most of us who are creating a flight outfit when traveling for pleasure, the following tips should suffice!

What to Avoid Wearing on a Plane

First thing’s first: You can’t create a solid flight outfit without starting with these tips.

Avoid Offensive Attire:  Don’t wear any shirts with an offensive message or clothing that’s too skimpy. You could be kicked off a plane for breaking airline dress codes.

Avoid Tight Clothing: To keep comfortable and prevent yourself from falling victim to deep vein thrombosis, which creates blood clots from flying, wear your clothing as loose as possible.

Avoid Hard-to-Remove Footwear: You’ll want to be able to slip your shoes on and off for comfort on the plane. It also helps when you need to remove your shoes while going through airport security.

Avoid Strong Perfumes: Not clothing, but still a good time to point it out. Some travelers around you on the plane can be sensitive to fragrance, so it’s best to stick with something light like a solid perfume instead.

Flight Length: Short Haul vs. Long Haul

The length of your flight definitely plays a role in crafting the perfect plane outfit. The longer you are on a plane, the more important it is to think critically about your travel clothing. Short haul flight outfits will probably look very different from what you want to wear on that 14-hour LAX to SYD flight. Trust me!

Short Haul Flight Outfits

When you’re traveling on a short haul flight – think anything up to 3 hours – you can probably get away with wearing your normal daily clothes and not have it be too much of an issue. By the time you get your drink and snack all sorted, there’s not much left before the descent.

However, when you start spilling more into a medium haul flight – 3 to 6 hours – it’s wise to address your comfort. Here’s what Caroline, a former HPL Team writer, suggests for a short haul flight outfit:

For short haul flights where I know I will immediately be sightseeing in my destination, I like to choose attire that is cute and comfortable. On a flight to New York this summer, I wore a nice (ie. not grubby) V-neck t-shirt with a black blazer and floral skirt. I brought a scarf to keep my legs warm on the flight. Once I got there, I was able to wear my blazer in the morning when it was chilly and fold it up to put in my bag once the sun came out.

Caroline Eubanks, Caroline in the City

Long Haul Flight Outfits

Long haul flights run anywhere from 6 hours up to 15+ hours in length. Making yourself as comfortable as possible will go a long way in combating the hell that can be economy class flying. When you’re counting down the minutes until touchdown, the last thing you want to be thinking about is how your pants are digging into your gut.

Before we get into the nitty gritty details of what I consider the ideal plane outfit, let’s have a look at how Caroline’s plane outfit changes when she flies long haul:

On long hauls, my standby plane outfit is my ExOfficio Go-To ¾ Sleeve Shirtigan (no longer in production, sadly), which is like a tunic in length but with zippered pockets and a flattering fit. I pair it with black leggings and my black corduroy Toms. I carry an extra pair of socks in my bag and a scarf for when I get chilly. It feels much like pajamas as everything is made of cotton, but it looks better than the real thing.

Caroline Eubanks, Caroline in the City

What do I wear on a long flight?

Living in Australia, just about any flight I take is considered long haul, so I’ve had plenty of practice nailing my travel day ensemble. I pretty much have a standard style of plane outfit that I have been recreating over the years, and it looks a little something like this:

Comfort is my priority. I usually go for a longer top/tunic/dress that I throw over black leggings. I’ll wear my sneakers on the plane as it saves space in my minimal luggage. To combat chills in flight, I tend to throw on a scarf, or a long wrap/cardigan (my Icebreaker Bliss Wrap has been my go-to for a couple years now), or both!

It was only on my recent trip that I changed up my flight outfit a bit:

I actually went to the shops to replace a pair of black leggings, but instead came away with a pair of black, flowy culottes! Obviously, the loose nature meant I had to pair it with a more fitted top instead of my usual tunic. But, I still topped it all off with my favorite Icebreaker Bliss Wrap.

I also brought a pair of knee-high compression socks that I slipped on once in my seat because otherwise… cankles.

5 Tips for Crafting Your Perfect Plane Outfit

1- Find comfort that feels like pajamas.

REI Streelowe Leggings

Click to find on REI.

Anatomie Skyler Pants

Click to find on Anatomie.

Loose Linen Culottes

Click to find on Amazon.

Find clothing that’s equally comfortable to pajamas but that also looks good, like a pair of cotton stretch black pants, jeggings or leggings. Harem style pants or culottes also work well, and those actually make it easier to wear compression socks than leggings. Pants should be loose enough to give your legs room to swell from altitude.

Ditch the jeans. YUCK. I cannot think of anything more uncomfortable on an international, long haul flight than constricting jeans. If you want something that gives a polished look more like jeans when you fly, consider Anatomie’s travel pants. All of Anatomie’s travel pants are stretchy, breathable, and quick-drying.

The key is to wear clothing that is loose, all the way down to the bra. You will be so, so thankful you didn’t overlook this article of clothing! I usually wear a bralette when I travel, and that definitely gives my plane outfit a pajamas type of feel.

The only article of clothing that should be tight would be compression socks if you choose to wear them. Yes, they can be a bit uncomfortable at times, but they do help you stay safe from blood clots (DVT) that can occur when flying. Also, if I don’t wear them on long haul flights then I end up with cankles at the end. Not a good look, and it’s uncomfortable!

2- Compose your outfit in layers.

Daily Ritual Tunic

Click to find on Amazon.

prAna Foundation Wrap

Click to find on REI.

Renew Shawl by Encircled

Click to find on Encircled.

Wear layers to make more room in your suitcase and to keep warm in the plane’s recycled air.

Actually, layers can do more than keep you warm: they help you to control your body temperature when the plane’s temperature can vary. Sure, most flights get a bit chilly when up in the air, but I’ve been on some flights that have been quite warm, requiring me to peel off all my layers. And, I’ve been on flights that have sat on the tarmac for an hour while we all sweated in stuffy heat.

I love to wear a tunic style top as part of my flight outfit. If I’m warm, this should be what I can sit in fairly comfortably.

The layers I add on top of that are usually either a scarf or a wrap – sometimes both depending on my destination. For the past 2 years, the wrap I use has been my beloved Icebreaker Bliss Wrap, which is sadly no longer being produced. It is BY FAR my favorite clothing item, and I wear it to death in both travel and daily life. Seriously, I will cry when it falls apart, but luckily it’s still going strong!

The Icebreaker Bliss Wrap is so perfect for travel because it is made of lightweight merino wool. It fits me nicely in the shoulders, is loose enough in the arms to go over another top, but it is also fitted towards the cuff giving it a less sloppy look. I can let it flow to the sides or tie it for a more polished vibe.

Long story short:  It goes with everything! Find something that gives you the same purpose as my wrap, and your plane outfit will be a thing of beauty 🙂

3- Cover your legs.

REI Streelowe Leggings

Click to find on REI.

Pashmina

Click to find on Amazon.

Vim & Vigr Compression Socks

Click to find on Amazon.

It doesn’t matter how hot it is outside on the ground, planes have a tendency to be chilly when they reach altitude.

If it’s a short flight, you might be fine with a bit of chill on your legs; you can even bring a scarf to use as a little blanket of sorts. Having cold legs on long flights, however, will only add to your discomfort.

I always recommend wearing pants when you fly for this reason. If you’re a dress lover, then bring a pair of leggings or knee-high socks that you can throw on for the flight. Long haul flights do provide blankets, but sometimes they just aren’t enough.

Remember:  Comfort is key!

4- Don’t forget your breathable underwear.

Exofficio Underwear

Click to find at REI.

Icebreaker Merino Wool Underwear

Click to find on Amazon.

Boody Bamboo Underwear

Click to find on Amazon.

If you’ll be on a plane for a while, sitting with your legs tightly together in cramped seats, it’s extra important to not overlook a good pair of breathable, non-wedgifying underwear.

Exofficio make breathable underwear specifically for travelers. You might also like underwear made from merino wool, which are also quick-drying and tend to smell less. However, there’s nothing wrong with a classic pair of cotton undies for flying.

Just be sure that these underwear don’t ride up over time. On my last flight, I made the mistake of wearing a pair that gave me a wedgie everytime I shifted my body in my seat. I spent more time readjusting my underwear than I would have liked… so don’t overlook it.

Because 10 hours into a 14 hour flight, every little annoyance will be doubly annoying you (if you aren’t one of the blessed people who can sleep on planes).

5- Top it off with the right shoes and accessories.

Toms

Click to find on Amazon.

Tieks

Click to find on Tieks.

Vim & Vigr Compression Socks

Click to find on Amazon.

Shoes: You should consider your shoes when choosing your plane outfit as it will impact what else you pack.

If you are bringing a pair of tall boots or something else that takes up a lot of room, wearing them onto the plane will save space in your luggage. If you aren’t, then wear shoes that slip on and off easily to get you through the security line in a breeze.

Toms are easy to slip on and off and can fold up to go into your seat back. Tieks are cute flats that can make you look more professional and also will fold up to throw into your purse.

I tend to wear my sneakers as part of my flight outfit so I can pack away sandals, flats, and other shoes that take up less space in my luggage. Because my shoes are tied, I instantly loosen up the laces when I reach my seat. That makes them easier to slip on and off when I get up for the restroom, and it helps combat the tightness that comes with any ankle swelling in flight.

Accessories: Accessories take an outfit from drab to fab, whether that be in looks or in added functionality. A scarf or pashmina, for example, is an essential airplane item as it can add a bit of style and also: keep you warm, convert to a blanket, and roll into a pillow.

If you’re bringing a hat on your trip, you’ll want to wear it on the plane to keep it from getting flattened. And top off every look with key jewelry pieces – but be sure these pieces aren’t too precious or cause too much discomfort when trying to relax on the plane.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I wear if I have a special event on arrival?

Are you jetting off immediately from the airport to a business meeting? Are you meeting the love of your life at the other side of baggage claim?

While special events at the other end of the flight might have you wanting to rock up in something nicer, it still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress for comfort for the flight itself.

There is no harm in changing into your dressy attire once you arrive. Simply plan ahead and have the pieces easily accessible in your carry-on. It should only take a few minutes, and you will be so thankful you can put on fresh clothes after flying.

I am no stranger to hitting up a restroom immediately on arrival and freshening up my look – everything from putting on an entirely new outfit to washing my face and brushing my teeth.

If you absolutely despise the idea of changing at the airport, try one of these travel dresses with a pair of leggings for the flight itself. Or look into Anatomie travel pants which can easily be dressed up or down.

What do I wear if I want to get upgraded on my flight?

It was only a few years ago that frequent travelers were convinced that dressing nicer led to more upgrades; studies were even conducted saying it was so. Nowadays, however, that might not be the case.

So my best recommendation is to dress for your comfort in the flight class you have booked, because more often than not, that’s where you will be flying.

Is my flight outfit just for wearing on travel days?

Not at all! For smart packing, each component of your plane outfit should work in your normal travel wardrobe as well.

Let us know what you consider a perfect plane outfit below!