Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Classy outfit for long-haul flight.

54 replies

dayslikethis · 07/03/2016 21:07

Going away in a couple of weeks and looking for something to wear for the flight (10hrs). It will be cold when we leave and hot when we arrive (and vice versa on the way home obviously) and of course it'll be alternately freezing and roasting on the plane!

I normally wear nice workout clothes - decent yoga pants, dri-fit yoga top and loose yoga sweater, with trainers. I want something smarter this time however but still needs to be comfortable for the long flight and suitable for the changes in temp. I have looked online at hot squash and I quite like this whole outfit but only the top is available - not the trousers. I would maybe wear a slouchy cardigan over the top or a love blazer and a comfy slouchy scarf.

Thoughts - suggestions - help?!?!

OP posts:
Original poster
dayslikethis · 08/03/2016 08:19

Thanks for all the suggestions! Harem pants def don't do it for me, but will have a look at some of the other options. We are flying business which is pretty normal for us, but this is a treat as normally when we fly we have all the DC with us (we have flown a lot of long haul over the last 5/6 years due to expat postings) but this time it's just me and DH - can't wait. (How sad that I'm actually genuinely excited about a 10 hour flight because I get to read, watch movies and eat whatever I like without having to think about anyone else!)

OP posts:
RascarCapac · 08/03/2016 08:32

Shoes-wise, I think this is where Skechers Go Walk come into their own. Lightweight, super comfortable - I've got a plain black pair and they are pretty anonymous as well. I use them for in airports/on plane - then just chuck them in the wash when I get back.

Trills · 08/03/2016 08:48

I understand that sometimes you want to just FEEL like you're dressed nicely, even if other posters are saying that you are silly because nobody will be looking at you.

Original poster
dayslikethis · 08/03/2016 08:48

Sorry - just read my last post and it sounded like a wee stealth boast - it wasn't at all - just mentioned the flying business because generally people dress much smarter in business. In the last flying with the DC or didn't bother me before, (and it doesn't really bother me now), but I'd just like to make more of an effort. I can assure you if I was flying coach it would def be comfort all the way!

OP posts:
Original poster
dayslikethis · 08/03/2016 08:48

I think that's what it is Trills

OP posts:
ProjectPerfect · 08/03/2016 08:53

dayslikethis I'm intrigued as to where you're going now as my experience is that people in business and first don't dress smarter unless they are traveling on staff tickets or actually wearing a suit and heading straight to the office (unusual on a 10 hour flight).

tomatodizzy · 08/03/2016 09:02

I live in the southern hemisphere, our flight back to the UK is always about 11-12 hours. In my experience whatever you wear at either end will be either too hot or too cold no matter how clever you are. I always bring a change of clothes and freshen up before baggage reclaim.

HSMMaCM · 08/03/2016 09:22

I don't normally style watch, but I did when we were upgraded for a long flight. There was a mix of

  1. wearing a suit obviously heading straight into a meeting
  2. pyjamas - as mentioned above
  3. really scruffy
  4. designer scruffy
  5. effortlessly gorgeous
  6. just simply comfortable

Don't worry about it.

wizzywig · 08/03/2016 09:56

I style watch in planes. And ive seen my fair share of celebs who look amazing getting on and off planes. I try but end up looking a red eyed mess.

Madbengalmum · 08/03/2016 10:01

Just on saturday, sat behind wayne and colleen rooney, and most people in the cabin were wearing sweatshirts and jersey or jeans.
I always wear something jersey from Splendid, as it is always comfy.
Really no one gets dressed up in business/first class.

vvviola · 08/03/2016 10:08

I style watch in planes. And ive seen my fair share of celebs who look amazing getting on and off planes.

I would imagine that's because the don't try to look amazing on the plane. I used to work for a very high profile person - and we often needed to be ready to go to work the second we stepped off the plane.

The first flight with her was an eye opener. She got on wearing formal suit etc, but the minute the plane took off, she dashed into the bathrooms and changed into a tracksuit. Which she stayed in until just before landing, when she changed back into more formal clothes.

Original poster
dayslikethis · 08/03/2016 10:20

Really no-one gets dressed up in business/first class.

I think it likely depends on the route you are flying. The route we are flying (which we have flown many times before) will be primarily folk dressed for business or at the very least smart/casual business wear.

I'm not worried about it (not sure where that idea came from) - it's just a choice - I WANT to wear something a little smarter than my usual - I'm not doing it because I feel I have to! My point about being in business as opposed to coach was in response to the comments about no-one else being dressed up - just to point out that I def won't stand out if dressed a little smarter.

(I should say that I have never felt that I stood out (or indeed cared) when I wear my usual yoga pants for flying - this is purely a choice for this occasion!)

OP posts:
MaybeDoctor · 08/03/2016 10:34

Am I the only person who bears in mind what might be useful to wear in the event of an emergency?

Apparently you are best advised to wear natural fibres that cover limbs and have a scarf or blanket to wrap over your face/head in the event of fire :(.

For me it goes:

Cotton based trousers or jeggings
long sleeved tee-shirt or tunic
cardigan
pashmina
soft boots or shoes with a flat-ish heel.

sofato5miles · 08/03/2016 11:14

I have a will in case of emergencies a bit fatalistic

MaybeDoctor · 08/03/2016 11:32

Ah well, I hope you never have to use it!

HandbagAddiction · 08/03/2016 11:40

I really don't think people dress smarter in business. I have done a lot of business class flying - most of it work related - although have bagged some personal trips (long haul) too with the children using saved up Avios. Most people I know including myself just dress for comfort - although you will get the odd business man in a suit who then ends up looking decidedly crumpled . I always take a pair of comfy trousers to change into as soon as I get on the plane and then change back again before landing. I do this whatever class I'm travelling in if it's long haul. Nothing worse than sitting in the same pair of trousers / pants for 10 hours through the temp changes, etc.

tomatodizzy · 08/03/2016 11:41

I always see a combination of people dressed up, people not dressed up and some people in their pyjamas (usually under the age of 7, but not always) on most flights. OP if you want to fly in style then good for you, I think the outfit is actually nice. Shame you cannot find the trousers, but they are probably easy to find replacements for. Have you considered a smart trouser suit/jumpsuit?

Whatdoidohelp · 08/03/2016 12:15

I fly business or first most of the time paid for out of my own pocket ( not work trips) and I don't give a shiny shit what I look like. I don't wear a tracksuit or anything but I don't worry about it. Usually leggings/jeggings and a long vest and sweater or light jacket. On the flight i change into the pjs if they are provided or my own cotton bottoms and a cosy top. Wear what you want and enjoy it!

Only exception to wear what you want is lounges. Some airlines and lounges have a strictish dress code.

Original poster
dayslikethis · 08/03/2016 12:17

There's actually a gorgeous jumpsuit on the same website which I love but it's not available in my size. (I guess it must be end of season stuff because a lot is low or out of stock) I thought a jumpsuit would be awkward but then I realised that I actually usually only go to the loo once or twice max on a flight so it's not that big a deal. This is the one I like here so if anyone has seen any similar ones I'd love to have a link to them.

OP posts:
tomatodizzy · 08/03/2016 12:56

Have you looked at Karen Millan? I really like This

tomatodizzy · 08/03/2016 12:57

Millen

elastamum · 08/03/2016 17:03

I travel long haul a fair bit for business and would echo the poster up thread who said change clothes once on the plane.

Take a plastic suit cover and hanger with you. Get the airline staff to hang your smart clothes then change back into appropriate wear before you land. Shove on makeup and brush your hair and off you go. That way you can get off the plan appropriately dressed for the occasion and the climate and still be comfy.

Madbengalmum · 08/03/2016 17:08

Yes, OP your experience of business class is the opposite of mine.
We travel alot, and mostly on business routes to non holiday type destinations, and the business travellers are always casual, and would never run the risk of looking a crumpled mess when they arrive for their meetings. So they change into casual attire.

KateSpadeAddict · 08/03/2016 17:45

I think the posters asking why the op cares what she wears are a little mean...this is Style and Beauty! Some people like to look great/be styled well at all times. Business Class or not Grin

PinotPony · 08/03/2016 17:52

I'm confused. How do you change your trousers on the plane? Surely not in the loos - they are usually awash with pee! Confused