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Style and beauty

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Original poster

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

75 replies

Youngatheart00 · 10/12/2021 05:35

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?

OP posts:

HundredMilesAnHour · 11/12/2021 12:45

I used to live in Asia and travelled frequently back and forth to the UK/US so lots of hot weather at one end, cold weather at the other end travel.

Layers and jersey is the answer. I like to look fairly smart (but be comfortable) when travelling so usually wear a well cut black jersey dress that can be dressed up or down (just add some good jewellery) with fake black leather leggings underneath - leggings taken on or off depending on weather at start/end locations. Leggings take up minimal space in my bag and stop me flashing anyone if I'm sleeping on the plane .

I always carry a huge scarf (cashmere on one side, silk on the other) that I can either wear or use as a blanket. I wear flat comfy shoes (usually Tracey Neuls Geeks or Tod's backless loafers) that work in hot or cold weather but wear socks on the plane (apart from going to the loo). My clothes are all black so they look smart and hide any spills, dirt etc. I add a splash of colour with my shoes / bag / scarf. And I pack a small fan if I think I might get stuck in a hot airport queue for a long time (hard lesson learnt after queueing for 2 hours in Bali's old airport with no aircon and lots of people).

I also take a mini stick deodorant, hand cream and face spray. If it's overnight, I take a black silk eye mask and a small feather pillow with a black silk cover.

Boood · 11/12/2021 18:38

Maxi dress with leggings underneath and warm jumper on top, trainers on your feet. Stash a pair of flip flops in your hand luggage. Before you land, take the leggings and jumper off and change your shoes. Put a little bottle of sun cream in your see through bag so you don’t have to worry if you’re outside waiting for transfers etc.

TakeMe2Insanity · 11/12/2021 19:13

Coat that fits in its own from uniqlo/ occasionally tkmaxx /michael kors

If very cold in departure country eg snow i do thermal leggings and wide leg trousers on top. When you get close to arrival take the leggings off. If not so cold then wide leg trousers with compression stockings is enough as they are quite warm. I wear layers on the top. Final layer is cashmere cardigan or heat tec jumper from uniqlo. Always take a large shawl as planes always cold.

So envious, and have a lovely time.

TakeMe2Insanity · 11/12/2021 19:13

Coat that fits in its own BAG!

lightisnotwhite · 11/12/2021 19:37

Big scarf. Covers stains. Works with warm, looks ok with vests. Sit on it, use as a pillow or cover up on plane l

slipperyeel · 11/12/2021 21:11

Long tshirt dress with a me&em cashmere hoodie over the top. All birds mesh trainers. Toast cashmere blanket scarf.

Knittingnanny · 11/12/2021 21:19

I’ve just realised reading this thread why I have to wait so long to use the toilet on planes! I ve been flying to Singapore and USA for the last 15 years visiting my sons and have just put/ taken layers on/off in the airport. If everyone uses the toilet as a changing room how on earth can you go for a quick wee when you need one?!
I honestly had no idea this was a thing, changing clothes in the toilet, they are so small.
I going to be very very brave and say it’s a bit selfish, think about all the old folks like me who might be waiting desperate for a wee!

minipie · 11/12/2021 21:24

I don’t take a coat. I wear a warm jumper or wrap , T shirt, comfy cotton trousers and canvas shoes or similar. I sometimes bring a warm hat too as it makes a big difference to warmth but doesn’t take much space.

Assume the airport hotel is at the airport or offers a shuttle service? If so you’ll have very very little time outside and you won’t freeze without a coat. Just make sure you have a warm comfy jumper - but that’s more for the air con on the plane than for the other bits of the journey.

coogee · 12/12/2021 00:04

I honestly had no idea this was a thing, changing clothes in the toilet, they are so small. If everyone uses the toilet as a changing room how on earth can you go for a quick wee when you need one?!

Loos aren’t exactly in short supply and a 12-14 hour flight gives plenty of opportunities to change during quiet periods. I wouldn’t if there was a queue.

gogohm · 12/12/2021 00:45

We wore coats and then put our coats into our cases at the airport in the U.K. as we knew we would need them coming home too. I wore jeans to fly but we were arriving 5pm and it's dark by 6 so getting cooler then

Mercurial123 · 12/12/2021 06:25

I wouldn't change in a toilet. They are usually disgusting with urine on the floors. And yes some people take forever putting on their makeup changing. It is annoying.

Oblomov21 · 12/12/2021 06:35

Definitely a light jumper or a cardigan. I find it cold on the plane often.

Original poster

Youngatheart00 · 12/12/2021 07:14

Ok, I think I’m sorted - I’ve got a loose sleeveless long black dress (exceptionally comfy) - shall wear with a smart waist belt at airport and with a warm cardi. And white pumps

Then on the plane, I’ll just take the belt off (mmmm…making the most of that hospitality!) oh and take some snuggly cashmere socks

Feel a lot better for having that sorted - just had such a mental block about what wouldn’t look utterly ridiculous at either end!

Thanks all for your advice and inspiration!

OP posts:

dancingbymyself · 12/12/2021 07:25

It doesn't matter if everyone is dressed up at the resort when you get there - it will be obvious that you've just arrived! Dress for comfort and don't overthink it. You can get changed once you're settled into the resort.

Original poster

Youngatheart00 · 12/12/2021 07:28

@dancingbymyself you’re right and I always want a shower after a day travelling anyway. We will be arriving early evening so it will be a decision to make whether that’s shower / head out for a drink in the resort or shower / bed (and inevitably wake at 3am!!)

OP posts:

StarlightLady · 12/12/2021 07:42

@Knittingnanny - l’ve slipped leggings or tights off on a plane (and on a train come to that, l hate train loos!) without going into the loo.

TheTeaFairy · 12/12/2021 09:03

This thread has made me long for warm seas and balmy climates.
Have a great time OP

backinthebox · 12/12/2021 09:09

@coogee Loos aren’t exactly in short supply You'd be amazed. There are definitely not enough loos for everyone on a full flight to get changed once, let alone twice or even 3 times as some people suggest! On the flights I work on the crew at the front of the aircraft often share the single toilet (in the galley area) with up to 8 First Class passengers. If all of them try and spend 20 minutes getting changed in the last hour of flight (and they often do) it becomes a logistical nightmare. There are, however, very good changing rooms and showers for First and Business passengers to use on the ground, provided by most airlines for their higher fare-paying customers. I would imagine, if you have to get changed, it would be much nicer getting changed in one of those.

OP, fwiw, I work on flights all the time, and style-wise anything goes. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Some stretchy is always the best, as you do swell up in flight (looks ruefully at non-stretchy uniform...)

coogee · 12/12/2021 09:20

You'd be amazed. There are definitely not enough loos for everyone on a full flight to get changed once, let alone twice or even 3 times as some people suggest!

Not everybody does though, so it isn’t a problem. Once my husband managed to fly from London to Singapore without visiting the loo at all.

DrWhoNowww · 12/12/2021 10:26

Honestly I’m shuddering at the thought of all of these long loose dresses trailing along the pee soaked floor of the average plane toilet (unless your flying Emirates business/first class, then your fine, I’ve never seen toilets so clean 8 hours into a flight before!)

I wear trainers, leggings, vest, oversized shirt, long scarf with a pair of shorts and sandals in my hand luggage to change into.

Comfy, nothing to trail on the floor and everything is lightweight so takes up little space.

TinaYouFatLard · 12/12/2021 10:31

On a recent longhaul flight I wore a Sweaty Betty Gary jumpsuit. It was a bit of a pain going to the loo but so comfy!

sashh · 12/12/2021 11:42

Another vote for a scarf / pashmina / sarong.

Mercurial123 · 12/12/2021 11:55

Not everybody does though, so it isn’t a problem. Once my husband managed to fly from London to Singapore without visiting the loo at all.

Pre covid I did a lot of long haul travel in economy it is an issue. Busiest times seem to be an hour after food is served or an hour until the plane lands.

JustLikea · 12/12/2021 12:26

Don't think about the destination as you can change when you get there

Planes get cold so focus more on that

Have a t shirt as your first layer so you can remove everything else if it's too hot once you arrive.

Trainers are best really, comfy trousers, t shirt, hoodie or cardi, pashmina to use as a blanket for long haul.

HundredMilesAnHour · 12/12/2021 21:37

@coogee

Loos aren’t exactly in short supply and a 12-14 hour flight gives plenty of opportunities to change during quiet periods. I wouldn’t if there was a queue.

Actually loos are in shorter supply these days. Many airlines have reduced the number of loos and/or reduced the size of loos so they can squeeze more seats in. Which is why on some full flights there is a constant queue for the loo. People taking 20 mins to get changed and reapply full make-up before landing don't help.

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