What would you wear on a business flight?

[Onlyrainbows]

A few of my colleagues (including my boss) and I are going to a conference in the US. We're all flying together and I've never met these guys before. I was going to in what I call "smart joggers" and a nice cable knit jumper and a coat.y DH thinks this is beyond casual and should about wearing something else. I'm all about looking smart but it's a transatlantic flight and comfort to me is paramount. Do you think I'll look too dressed down?

I think those joggers are a bit too casual. I would keep colours dark/ neutral, for example navy and camel, or black etc. Have you thought about harem pants? Very comfortable and actually more temperature appropriate for the plane

I fly business multiple times per year and I dress like a tramp tbh 😂 comfort, comfort, comfort.
In my carry on I usually have a change of clothes depending on the difference in weather the other side.
No one honestly gives a shit, just be comfortable

I wore ‘smart’ leggings on a US flight recently. Very comfy with a smart jumper teamed with flats and black compression socks which looked like tights underneath.

Got mine from Matalan, (they more different styles when I got mine) they’re thick not see through material and look a bit like work trousers. Like this:

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2874578_c101/black-check-textured-leggings-black

Compression socks:

www.amazon.co.uk/Compression-15-20mmHg-Circulation-Recovery-Pregnancy/dp/B09BFCL2JN/ref=asc_df_B09BFCL2JN/?hvlocphy=1006764&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=535042797275&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-1412967087579&hvrand=10973008010626327128

I wear the leggings and socks while WFH too as sitting at my desk all day makes my legs feel heavy. They feel so much better since I’ve started wearing them.

I genuinely don’t understand this angst about what to wear on a business or first class flight. If you think you’re going to get better service or more respect from some random strangers by wearing a three piece suit, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Literally no one gives a shit what you wear. No one. Not the cabin crew, not the other passengers, no one. People who fly business/first regularly wear whatever they want and if it’s an overnight flight they turn up in joggers and sweatshirt then change into free PJs if they’re available.

I used to fly business class regularly for work and I never once saw anyone in smart clothes.

I got an upgrade as we were boarding and wasn’t obviously dressed up, but no-one was

I agree that comfort is paramount but I think the op is considering her colleagues perspective rather than random other passengers or staff. I'm sure if she was flying solo she wouldn't have posted.

If indeed OP is female which is lucky because it's so easy to be comfy and still look streamlined if you're a woman. The original joggers I would say are too casual. There are a million pairs of smarter jersey joggers, wide leg stretch trousers, or leggings that would work. Loose jersey top or dress (Hush do great versions) and maybe a cardigan and you're essentially in pyjamas but still look nice.

If this helps put to bed the quibbling over what kind of joggers are acceptable in business/first, I wore Hush joggers which I’d had for two years with an ancient hoodie from Gap and trainers (two). Oh, and a £5.99 t shirt from eBay in case I got hot.

IME, the only people dressed up in business are staff!
Go for comfort!

I was a cabin crew for over 20 years and barely anyone dressed up in the premium cabins.

I’d not wear those jogging bottoms throughout the airport/business lounge/for meeting your colleagues. Wear something smarter and change into those once you’re settled on the plane (they’ll roll up in the corner of a wheelie bag). Another fab thing for travelling/plane journeys is a wrap. Perfect for snuggling if the cabin is cold or if the blankets aren’t good!

Totally agree with Christmasbird, as another regular business class traveller. There will be wealthy families with kids in there as well as business travellers of all industries. Be comfortable. Own whatever you where and don’t apologise either directly or indirectly. And be prepared for the rude US border control who will treat you like absolute crap regardless of what you’re wearing…

*wear

I once had to go straight to a long haul business class flight without having had a chance to get changed first straight from work.
I begged the cabin crew for some first class pyjamas, which they kindly provided.
Normally I fly in leggings, a hoodie and occasionally I steal my daughter's uggs.
But ah, I am envious. The last time I flew anywhere was the week Covid started 😔

Exactly the same as you'd wear in coach or first.

Anyone remember those pyjama things they used to hand out in first? I remember I wore the trousers from them for almost the whole of my second pregnancy.
Does anyone still do those?

Jogging bottoms are never okay. Leggings are for the gym.

I would wear loose cotton trousers and multiple layers on top.

@Kendodd

Exactly the same as you'd wear in coach or first.

Anyone remember those pyjama things they used to hand out in first? I remember I wore the trousers from them for almost the whole of my second pregnancy.
Does anyone still do those?

Yes they still do them. But it’s unlikely that anyone outside first class gets any - they don’t put any spares on nowadays. We’ll only risk giving some away if someone has thrown up all over themselves.

But it’s unlikely that anyone outside first class gets any - they don’t put any spares on nowadays. We’ll only risk giving some away if someone has thrown up all over themselves

Tight bastards, my kid was sick on a long haul overnight flight, she had to wear my husband's tshirt, I didn't think to ask if they had any pyjamas.

The crew would usually go and see if there were any spare sleeper suits and offer you them if there were.

I spent a couple of years flying regularly to Australia and developed a flight ‘uniform’ of black leggings, bright vest top, long sleeved black jersey top and a thin ankle length black cardigan with a large pretty scarf to use as a pillow, or for extra warmth etc. Really comfy, could adjust if I was warm/cold and never felt scruffy.

I have some trousers very similar to this. They're elasticated at the waist but smarter than joggers and don't crease easily. Can also be dressed up quite easily by wearing with a smarter top/jacket.

www.moochi.co.nz/collections/pants/products/continual-pant-black

Jennifer Aniston's character in The Morning Show has the most lovely but comfortable casual outfits in amongst the formal wear.

habituallychic.luxury/2019/11/outfits-inspired-by-jennifer-anistons-wardrobe-on-the-morning-show/

But don’t the leggings/jersey pants go baggy at the knee?? Happens to me whatever I wear on flights - maybe it’s the way I sit? - so I start the journey looking all smart casual and alight the plane looking like I’ve slept in my clothes (which, to be fair, I have) ☹️

Recommendations for non-bag flight trousers welcomed!

Jersey anything is great for non creasing over a long time or in a case.

I just flew long haul business and nobody was wearing smart clothes. Its about comfort. If you don't feel confident in joggers put jeans on and then change while on the flight.

I’d wear a jersey dress, but not a wrap one with buckles or knots to get uncomfortable. As comfy as night wear but it can be accessorised to look much smarter when you arrive. Chunky jewellery or a scarf will draw the eye away from your hips.