What to wear on a long haul flight to a sunny destination?!

[Youngatheart00]

DH and I are escaping a couple of days after Christmas

Can’t wait, we are both so beaten down by work and circumstances this year.

We have treated ourselves to business class flights and it’s a 12 hour flight to a sunny destination.

Bizarrely the one thing I’m stressing about is what to wear on the journey!! The fight is relatively early morning on the way out although we are staying at an airport hotel. So won’t be outside much. Would really rather not take a big coat!! Waste of luggage allowance!

Any recommendations for looking stylish / put together but also comfortable and not stupid at either end of the journey?

You will want a coat if some sort.
Business has a cloakroom so they will just hang your coat for you.

If you don't want a coat I'd take something like light weight down jacket as it packs small.

For the plane thermal layers are good I like heatech uniqlo and either a hoodie or cashmere jumper as plane can get cold.
I travel in Nike or lululemon pants and pack a pair of shorts in hand luggage.
Prelanding I remove some layers on top and switch to shorts.
(I used to travel a lot)

Thanks @Totalwasteofpaper!

Good quality Leggings (Lulu lemon or sweaty betty) and a comfy / cashmere sweater has been my uniform for a while and thinking I could layer a light top underneath for arrival when it’s going to be HOT and humid, but just wondering about arriving in resort and whether everyone else will be dressed up!

No i don't think so.
We have stayed in some pretty nice hotels and I have never felt out of place.
The alternative is to bring a light floaty dress and chuck that on before landing with nice flip-flops/ sandals. Shorts and decent t-shirt is fine I find.

I always wear a maxi dress. I wear it with a hoody and denim jacket (although we generally stay in an airport hotel night before so not far to trek if it’s cold).

The dress means I don’t have anything right around my waist which I can’t stand when I’m flying.

Have a lovely time!

*tight not right

DH and I are doing the same, we go next week I am travelling in very comfy jeans, a short sleeved thin top, a smart blazer and flat boots (my feet always get cold on flights in spite of the socks you get) No coat, because we have a driver to the airport so shouldn’t need one. I’ve packed some smart flat sandals in my hand luggage so will change into them and take off my jacket when we land. In my experience, even in the most ultra luxury resorts everyone looks slightly bedraggled arriving after travelling for 16hrs + but no one bats an eyelid. Have a fab time xx

I usually wear jeans or lightweight comfy trousers, tshirt or cotton shirt, and lightweight jumper and then change into comfy trousers / tshirt on the plane to sit in. There’s more space to change in business and it’s nice not to be in the same clothes for 12+ hours :)

I also bring sandals to wear off the plane. So in the hot weather I’m in jeans, shirt and sandals so won’t don’t look too overdressed on the way to the hotel.

For a coat I wear a short Uniqlo down jacket that folds down really small into a pouch.

Enjoy the holiday! :)

Having had a similar stress a few years ago, I realised it depends what you're doing when you land. If you're going in an air conditioned taxi straight to an air conditioned hotel foyer, you don't need to be dressed for the local temperature in the same way that you do if you're straight off sightseeing or to meet friends or something. I also have an outfit (and swimsuit) at the top of my case so, if I want to, I can get changed in a loo, whether at the airport or hotel (usually only if our room isn't ready).

I also came to recommend the Uniqlo coat that fold into a pouch- brilliant for Jan:Feb winter sun trips.

We are doing the same. I’m going to wear a long tshirt maxi dress with a cashmere jumper and leather biker and then I’ll take off the jumper and put my jacket away. Will wear trainers and prob have some flat sandals in my bag, I take an LV never full as my hand luggage as it literally holds everything

Lots of good suggestions from posters here.

But one thing I always do is have a change of clothing for the flight. I follow the same routine. After the first meal and starting to relax into the flight I usually change into some loose casual leggings (cotton) and a loose long sleeved top again cotton, I take my own socks, (as well as flip flops or a pair of hotel slippers to pop to the toilet) hate the synthetic airline ones. I always have some kind of wrap as well, I tend not to get cold of flights its usually the opposite so a wrap for me is better than the airline blanket. Of course depending on who your flying with as to what time they may make up your 'bed' with seat toppers etc at least I am ready to drift off for a nap or full sleep.

I also have a routine for taking make up off, lenses out glasses on and have everything I need in my carry on, small packing cubes are handy for this so you know where everything is to hand. Then near the end of the flight get changed inc fresh pants, makes you feel so much better.

I travel a lot, well pre covid and have this off to a tee, but I did stop talking a pillowcase.......airline pillows and blankets although clean I am sure just make me a little...ugh!

Enjoy your flight!

God don't wear jeans long haul. I was supposed to be off to my spiritual home of Thailand and would have been wearing harem pants, longline vest, soft zipper hoody, big scarf/blanket, canvasy type jacket from hush, trainers (hotel slippers for flight, bin other end).

I am SO jealous. Have fun...

Like @Lowlifeinhighplaces I also always take a spare change of clothes. This is partly also because, having travelled long haul frequently, it's always possible there may be delays, missing luggage, etc.

I have a few Airism sets from Uniqlo that are perfect for occasions like this. They're made from moisture-wicking jersey, and don't crease easily. Definitely don't wear jeans, especially if you plan on sleeping on the plane.

I also always pack a giant scarf type thing which is shaped loosely like a jacket, you can wear it as a jacket or scarf, use it as a blanket on the plane, or roll it up and use as a pillow in a pinch. I use that as my outer layer if it's cold on the way to/from the airport.

Have fun, wish I was going somewhere long haul this Xmas! Per Covid we nearly always used to be away somewhere exotic over Xmas.

I just did along haul in business to a warm climate. I wore black lululemon's, black T-shirt and black trainers with a denim jacket.
Taxi dropped us at the airport and picked us up on way back so you won't be in the cold for long.
Hotel the other side was fine. You'll only be in reception for a short time and then straight to your room to get that bikini on

I usually wear a long light dress with tights and a jumper and scarf for when I am leaving. Jumper, scarf and tights come off on the plane and then I am left in light dress for arrival. Tights and scarf take very little place in my luggage when I am away, and the jumper I can use if cold on the holiday.

I always have a bikini in my hand luggage in case there’s a suitcase disaster. Can’t face having a day without a swim when I’m away.

Thanks so much all for the advice. Calls for a shop I think

One things for sure, I’m not wearing jeans though! Especially not with the food in business class 😬 it’ll be a dress or leggings. I like the harem pants idea but not seen any about for a while.

We will barely be outside at all due to staying at the airport so I think I’ll dress for summer from the word go but leave a warm hoodie in my hand luggage and coat in the car for arrival which is going to be BRUTAL!

Wear a big smile. You lucky thing!

In Mexico atm, I travel in layers.
Light dress, warm leggings, hoodie and a lightweight but warm jacket. Trainers because of the walking, I put lovely fluffy socks in my jacket pockets.
The queues in the airport this time were quiet long and the air con wasn’t great so I was very glad that I was in a summer dress!

Hi OP it's the hush harems I wear. They are available. Still VERY jealous!

Just done a similar trip.
Came on to agree with nearly everything but I always also take a pashmina in my hand luggage- so useful!

I have what l call my flying dress. Loose, comfy and has a pattern which disguises the food blobs and red wine stains! 😂. Unfortunately, l’m like a messy toddler when eating/drinking during a flight.

I’ve always just done skinnies / jeans even to Aus

And a jumper I don’t care about

But then I usually have dc on me a lot so it gets fairly wrecked

I always have a bikini in my hand luggage in case there’s a suitcase disaster.

I thought you were going to say in case the plane crashes in the sea.

I change mid flight. I start off in an outfit suitable for where I am departing from and change into one suitable for where I am going to. I often change into stretchy yoga pants for middle bit on the plane.