If you’re planning on travelling abroad then you are highly likely to soon be finding yourself packing and getting ready to hit the airport. You might find there is only one thing on your mind: what do I pack and what do I wear on the plane? There are many ways to go about it, so please put your seat upright and fasten your seatbelts.
We might not guarantee you to make it to the departure gate on time but we can help you get there in style, whether you want to be sporty or elegant. It is our job to worry about getting you there in style, so you can worry about actually getting there in the first place.
Ever taken a moment to observe how the airport crowds tend to dress in the summer? It would certainly teach you a thing or two about trends and style. There is the Adventure crew: tracksuit, trainers, backpacks or messenger bags. There’s also the “Off to an Exclusive Spa Resort” set, a mix of classic elegance, loafers and ballet flats, capri pants and neutral shades such as white, beige and black, somewhat reminiscent of the 50s. You might also run into the VIP couple, and wonder whether they are dressed for the plane or for a black-tie event… Not for forget the neo-hippie gang, where the women are usually found sporting a combination of kaftans and clogs, while men stick to shorts and trainers. Each destination calls for its own style, even though it may not always be so simple, what with the stress of security checks, narrow seats and air sickness. Back in the days it was all about looking elegant on board – as it could always get you an upgrade to First Class – while today comfort is key.
Here are a few simple sartorial rules you might find useful on your next flight:
1. GO FOR LAYERS
Whether you’re jetting off to the Caribbean or to Alaska, bring a jacket or some form of cardigan or hoodie to fight the aggressive air con on-board and the freezing temperatures of the departure lounge. Cotton layers and lightweight fabrics could also come in handy for your in-flight naps.
2. NICE AND EASY FOOTWEAR
Heels or flats, brogues or loafers, what matters is how easily you can take them off during the security checks. Airports are forever coming up with new regulations and it seems shoes have become a critical matter, especially now that they have their own dedicated piece of scanning equipment. Clearly boots are tricky since it will take you forever to pull them off – and these people queuing behind you won’t accept fashion as an excuse.
3. STRETCHY FABRICS
He might go for a tracksuit, she might choose a shift dress, but in either case it’s all about the fabric. Rather than turning and twitching in stiff garments and worrying about creases and basically looking a mess upon landing, go for jerseys, spandex or stretch cotton – you’ll then be able to breeze through Arrivals as if you’d never been on a plane in the first place.
4. SHOULDER BAG OR BACKPACK?
Clutches and fanny packs should be left at home. Boarding passes, clear plastic bags for your liquids, passports, notebooks, laptops and various iPods… that certainly won’t fit into anything smaller than a shoulder bag, although he might prefer a good old backpack (mind the cabin measurements however, anything longer than 60cm won’t do). Oh and don’t forget your sunnies, they might offer you a welcome break from the neon lighting on board when you decide to take a nap.
5. UTTER RELAXATION
Not everyone might want to watch a film on the in-flight entertainment system or on their laptops; not everyone might want to listen to music and not everyone might want to sleep… What is left for you to do in such cases is to read. A good book to slip in your hand luggage, ideally not too heavy (both in terms of difficulty and weight – for that reason we would strongly advise against re-reading Tolstoy), or why not a Moleskine notebook to use as a travel log. For this is exactly how Bruce Chatwin and Ernest Hemingway did things pre-blogs; can you think of a better opportunity to rediscover the simple pleasure of reading, doodling or designing while daydreaming of your next destination?
