How to Dress Up for International Flights
Flying internationally can be a difficult and exhausting experience, especially in the wrong clothes. Although it is important to be comfortable on a long journey, business and social situations sometimes require travelers to look professional, even after a nine-hour flight. In these instances where a pink fleece tracksuit is not appropriate, it is a good idea to find alternatives that fit just as comfortably and are not likely to wrinkle. Dressing in layers will help your adjustment to a variety of indoor temperatures, and be sure you can move fast in your outfit in case you have to run for the next connection.
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Things You'll Need
- T-shirt or blouse
- Dress pants or khakis
- Dress (optional)
- Shoes without high heels
Instructions
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Think about the fit of your clothing and the length of your flight. Choose an outfit that is not skin tight and is made with a natural fiber that has some breathability like cotton, wool or linen. You will need to rest during the flight, and spandex tights are not comfortable for sleeping.
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Decide whether a skirt, dress or pants would work best if you are a woman, based on the fit and style. Pants should have a relaxed fit at the waist and through the leg, without looking slouchy or old. Check the material on the tags. Remember that while natural fibers are comfortable for your skin over long periods of time, 100-percent linen wrinkles very easily, so the ideal garment may be a mixture of fibers.
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A dress with a high waist is more comfortable. Check the waistline on the dress or skirt, if that is the garment you choose. A dress with an empire, or high waist around the ribcage, is much more relaxing for the flight, and still looks elegant in the airport. Combine it with tights that will be warm but not stifling, and that do not have a control-top waistband. A high-waisted skirt may also work well, but not in a straight A-line cut which would be too constrictive. A looser cut that is not too bulky is more practical. For men, the same guidelines apply for pants, and packing the belt until after the flight will also be more comfortable.
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Look at your shoe choices, or consider purchasing another pair. Shoes are the most important part of traveling. Your feet must be comfortable, but you need to quickly remove your shoes and put them on again at security checkpoints. You may also want to take them off during the flight in order to sleep better. Leather trainers or loafers without any bright logos will offer support and look elegant with black dress pants or khakis. For women, ballet flats are an option with skirts but they do not offer much support. It is a good idea to pack your heels and you can change into them after traveling.
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Make sure your chosen outfit includes layers. Women can combine a skirt with a blouse and cardigan, or a twinset, which is a matching knit top and cardigan. Layering can also start with a comfortable T-shirt in a neutral color with a nice jacket over top or a button-down shirt. Wearing layers creates an outfit with the ability to become more or less formal as the situation requires, and can also prevent you from freezing or overheating. A scarf, such as a pashmina for women or a wool blend for men, is also a classy accessory that doubles as a blanket on the plane.
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Tips & Warnings
Jewelry is a hassle inside airport security and uncomfortable to sleep in. Only wear the essentials and pack the rest.
Seats on airplanes are generally very small. Do not wear clothing that will take up a lot of your space in the seat.
Full skirts and dresses with many layers will be heavy and bulky, making it difficult to move quickly through the airport.
Checked luggage is always at risk of being lost. Try not to travel with irreplaceable personal items and purchase a separate insurance policy for extremely valuable items or pack them in your carry-on.
Before you leave, check the airport or airlines websites for security updates, so that you will not lose personal items from your wardrobe due to new regulations.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit airplane#6 image by krynio from Fotolia.com girl with shopping bags in red dress image by Christopher Meder from Fotolia.com
