Long-haul business class flight... what to wear

[Tasmania]

What would you suggest to wear on a long-haul business class flight? I'm thinking cosy but also smart...

... problem is I don't think there are many things out there that are cosy AND smart. Ballet pumps are an option, but I will be travelling in a few months, in the midst of winter, so walking around with them in the cold does not sound great to me...

Any suggestions?

I would get changed into the pyjamas provided as soon as the seat belt signs are off. If they don't provide pyjamas then a tea dress with tights/leggings and ankle boots would be great. Also bring a pashmina to throw round you. Who are you flying with?

It really doesn't matter. Whatever's comfortable, no need to be smart!

I only ever travel economy, but I walk through business to get to economy when boarding the plane, and IMO the business class travellers don't look particularly smart. No smarter nor less smart than the rest of us.

It's all about comfort I think. Shoes you can slip off and on easily, loose clothes, layers, natural fibres blah blah. Take a pashmina, yes. Maybe cover up knees and elbows if flying on the sort of airline where you might sit next to someone who would tut (happened to me once on an Emirates flight, yes really, so now I always take a big shawl with me).

Ha! X posted with Banana. Snap.

Definitely go for comfort! I tend to wear leggings, a bum covering t shirt with either long or 3/4 length sleeves, a very cosy cashmere cardigan and ballet pumps. I always take a thick pair of socks to put on after boarding and a big pashmina in case I feel cold.

I'd also highly recommend taking make up off once you've boarded and slapping moisturiser on every few hours.

On the particular question of shoes, OP, what I do in winter leaving the UK is travel to airport in coat and winter shoes, then at airport I stuff the coat and shoes into my hold luggage before checking in so that I don't have to carry them round with me on my journey. I then travel in sandals or light shoes. It's easy to change in the loos at the airport.

yeah slap on the moisturiser big time. Don't wear mascara.
I have flown business once [40th birthday treat to myself] and there were no smart people. Everyone apart from old business men were dressed down and wearing comfortable clothing. As soon as the seat belt signs were off most people got changed into the free pyjamas or sleep suits.

Wear what you would like to land in if you are being met by people whose opinions matter to you. Long haul bc should give you pjs to wear on board. A cashmere scarf will keep you snuggly. I would wear lip balm. Sums me up really cashmere and lip balm.

Pyjamas are more the norm in first class rather than business. I normally wear trousers, top, cardi and ballet pumps and take a big scarf and my own socks as airline ones are not nice. Aim for natural fibres of the less creasable variety. Don't worry about being to smart. It would also depend on if you're going somewhere hot or a city with a cooler temperature on arrival.

Shoes need to be something that will give if your feet swell up. Many a time I've struggled to get my shoes on again. Birkenstocks work well - slide on and off easily too. Leggings, jersey dress, cardigan and pashmina works perfectly, and thick socks, if you're arriving somewhere hot you can slip the leggings off before you land - air conditioning can be brutally cold.

Virgin and Qantas provide pyjamas in business.

Ah BA don't so worth checking with the airline.

Last time I flew business in winter I wore leggings, white stuff jumper dress, uggs. Very comfy! I wouldn't want to wear pumps or anything on a winter flight.

I usually wear either the pijamas or just jeans and a jumper and furry boots. There's absolutely no need whatsoever to be smart. Just comfy. Remember, you might have a long wait at immigration when you arrive at your destination. I've waited 3 hours in china, and once I had to wait 4 hours (4 fucking hours!!!!!!) in the US. Absolute nightmare. And people complain about Heathrow (never had to wait more than 20 minutes there).

I always take shoes off when I fly so comfort not that relavent.

However I winter I would probably wear a cosy knitted dress ie cashmere, with leggings and knee high boots ( with or without heel as take off anyway). And a pashmina scarf. Planes have blankets anyway in first/ business

Most people just sleep anyway

You don't need to take your own shawl, if you don't want the hassle, because they aren't stingy with the blankies in business. However some airlines have duvets instead of blankies which are slightly less easy to manipulate. Best to check.

virgin the blankets put fluff everywhere though. BA are ok.

Virgin have duvets in upper class.

I once travelled long haul business class with my boss. He did a full change into PJs when we were on the plane. It was, er, weird. I didn't then feel I could change into PJs too...it was like we were going to bed together, so I stayed in my trouser suit. I'm such a fool! Assuming you have no such problems, I think a knit dress would be a good idea. I am always cold on planes, so tend to take socks and a pashmina even when there are blankets (for when moving around).

I travel business a lot on different airlines and would say no need to wear anything smart - would go for loose trousers as if you sleep on the bed, your skirt/dress can ride up at night .. learnt that one the hard way!

Not all airlines do the pj thing - so I travel in yoga style trousers and t-shirt with a short jacket as planes can be cool and hard to wrap duvet over shoulders.. they always supply socks so I usually take shoes off and store them and wear the socks.

Most have lovely toiletries with lip balm and face cream but I still always carry creams as long flights very dehydrating..

Enjoy it - once you have travelled business, you are ruined for economy sadly!!

mmm, It was BA that got me hooked on Elemis lip balms!

Just back from LAX first class and you would be amazed at the variation in dress sense. No need to be smart at all ! Just something comfortable and cosy. If pyjama's provided jump right in to them the majority do.
It also means you don't drop food on your own clothes - or is that just me ?
Also the virgin toiletries were non existent except for tooth paste.

WRT ballet pumps.........
I wore a pair of flat ballet pump style shoes (and I always wear flat shoes) on the way home from summer holidays.
What I didn't consider was the amount of walking (and the speed we'd have to walk) and the following day I couldn't put my heel to the ground.

I reckon I strained or pulled a ligament (I don't have a history of heel spurs)
It's only been in the last 4-5 days that I can weightbear on the heel without "ouching"

But other than that , no help

I just bought this dress for the same thing, so don't mind if you want to be twins (so long as we aren't on the same flight!)

www.meandem.com/collection/ruched-maxi-t-dress/products_id/1709/cPath/1007_1008_1015

Wow, reggie that is lovely. I don't think I can get away with it with my hips but would be great for stylish travelling.