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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:

XpressoMartini · 12/12/2021 22:18

On a slightly different topic, I’m surprised people get changed in the toilets Sounds pretty filthy to me. Why not get changed (and showered) in the departure or arrival lounge? The bathrooms get cleaned after each use.
I do travel a lot long haul and have never ever got changed in the aircraft’s toilets. The only people I see doing it are those who love to display their BA first class PJ when travelling in business/club, just to show off that they have travelled first class before (the same people who have a BA gold card attached to their suitcase )

XpressoMartini · 12/12/2021 22:24

To OP: in your specific situation, just wear comfortable loose clothes on your way to the airport that you will keep on the flight, with a short sleeves t shirt (for when you land) and a couple of layers on top. No need for a coat. Also bring a set of summer clothes in your cabin bag you will put on in the arrival lounge and let the holidays start 😎

Knittingnanny · 12/12/2021 23:24

Yes! Unless you are a celebrity awaiting photographers as you step off the plane, why does anyone need to reapply makeup and change outfits?

Knittingnanny · 12/12/2021 23:25

@XpressoMartini has the answer, I agree with her plan!

coogee · 12/12/2021 23:52

why does anyone need to reapply makeup and change outfits?

Depart -2 degrees. Arrive 40 degrees.

Need I say more?

Knittingnanny · 13/12/2021 00:09

@coogee I get that but what would happen if every single passenger took 20 mins plus in the loo to do that?

Original poster

Youngatheart00 · 13/12/2021 00:11

Ok so I won’t be getting changed in the loo! I may well brush my teeth and put some bronzer on but that will be it (5 mins max, plus in club class there are less people per loo)

OP posts:

Amberflames · 13/12/2021 00:25

I used to travel to the Caribbean for new year most years. With having small children and then covid it’s been so long since I had this dilemma and I’m struggling to remember! I think I used to wear jeans, thin top and lightweight sweater, then either denim jacket or a blazer. I’d also take a big scarf/travel wrap. Footwear I’d go brave and just wear a pair of ballet flats and then a sticks socks on for the flight.

Coming back I would often wear a dress and then get changed back into UK clothes on the plane.

Oh how I miss exotic holidays. Hope you have a fab time OP!

coogee · 13/12/2021 00:27

I get that but what would happen if every single passenger took 20 mins plus in the loo to do that?

Every single passenger doesn’t. Nor are they likely to, ever. I change but it doesn’t take 20 minutes, more like five.

Amberflames · 13/12/2021 00:27

To clarify, I have NEVER applied make up on a flight and I can brush teeth, have a wee and get changed in about 5 minutes.

coogee · 13/12/2021 00:34

Exactly. I don’t wear makeup, so getting changed is quick. I have never come out of the loo to find a queue waiting for me to come out.

cloudrunner · 13/12/2021 01:37

Bamford sell some incredibly comfortable yoga harem trousers - cotton ; they're both warm and light. Very full though which may not be what you're looking for.
www.bamford.com/cy/products/comfort-harem-slate/

MaHBroon · 13/12/2021 02:25

I travel often and always in business class but I have to say I’ve never put much thought into getting dressed for the flight and I can’t recall people coming out of the loo wearing a different outfit to what they had on going in.

Honestly. No one notices what you’re wearing. Just be casual and don’t try too hard to be what you think business class passengers look like or you’ll be sticking out like a sore thumb. It really is just very ordinary and nothing more than a way to get from A to B whilst being a bit more comfortable than in economy.

Im thinking of the long haul flight I was on just two weeks ago going from a very cold climate to a hot one and in the cabin I was in no one had dressed for the flight or getting off at the other end. It was get on board, hand your coat over, fold it over your arm when disembarking and off you go.

MaHBroon · 13/12/2021 02:29

I get that but what would happen if every single passenger took 20 mins plus in the loo to do that?

They don’t because I’m pretty sure the greater majority of passengers just look at the flight as a means to get from A to B and it’s genuinely not a big deal or a big part of their holiday where a lot of thought is given to looking what they think is the part.

YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 13/12/2021 05:33

Gosh, it’s never crossed my mind to make changes of clothing during a flight to somewhere hot, I just dress in comfortable, thin layers of tee shirt/fine knit/hoodie with a big pashmina and take socks for the flight. I too find aircraft toilets grim, I definitely wouldn’t want any clothing to touch the floor 🤢
So long as I look clean and presentable I really don’t care what I look like to others!

katienana · 13/12/2021 05:44

Years ago I travelled to Bali wearing a maxi dress with leggings underneath, a denim jacket and a scarf. Just took off the leggings and I was good to go.

SoftPillow · 13/12/2021 05:47

I did this recently, going from cold country to warm.

I wore comfortable girlfriend jeans, long sleeve smart but comfortable top and a cashmere hoodie for warmth. In my handbag I had a pair of sandals for arrival and a spare summer tshirt.

Odetomud · 13/12/2021 07:11

Boden Richmonds, tee shirt, hoodie, trainers.
I put on Lulu Lemon leggings and flight socks before I board then pull the socks off when we've landed.
After an overnighter I brush my teeth and hair but that's it.
I do leave a winter coat in the car though.

sonjadog · 13/12/2021 09:03

I definitely wouldn't buy a special outfit for the plane. It really isn't worth it. I usually feel fairly manky by the time I arrive, so don't wear anything I would like to wear while on holiday. My travelling outfit usually just sits in my case until I go home again. And yes to disgusting toilets. This is why I like dresses as they are pull up rather than down.

Knittingnanny · 13/12/2021 14:46

@MaHBroon hope so otherwise my 65 year old bladder would be very compromised on a 14 hour flight to Singapore!
@coogee your husband must have a supersized steel bladder!

MaHBroon · 13/12/2021 15:13

@MaHBroon hope so otherwise my 65 year old bladder would be very compromised on a 14 hour flight to Singapore.

My 64 year old bladder knows just what you mean.

Redandblue11 · 13/12/2021 21:27

Just arrived from a 4 hour flight from the Southern Hemisphere.
Just come to say I agree with the above suggestions of decent tee, shawl (cashmere better IMO) , comfy bottoms, spare bottom/top in hand luggage in case delays.
But as we are in covid times the number one tip is not to bother with makeup, you will be wearing a mask in the airport plus the flight… that equated to 20 hours in my case, 3 hours beforehand and 2 after plane landed …
So bring 10 masks for the plane just in case. I changed my masks every roughly 5 hours.
Mask plus shades will hide all your face anyway.

Redandblue11 · 13/12/2021 21:27

*14 hours flight ! No 4 …

Branster · 13/12/2021 23:23

Loose silk trousers - I swear by them from hot to cold or vice versa, for some reason they work. Silk Vest top, loose short sleeves top, loose thinnish cardigan made of good quality wool and a trusted thin huge large wrap. I always wear this uniform when flying and these items are now quite old but never fail me and I only use them on flights. Comfortable flat light footwear of any kind you like and a good pair of soft socks during the flight. Also accept you might be cold for a very short while.

me109f · 14/12/2021 00:57

Airy trainers with mesh uppers. You may need to walk quite a distance with luggage so you need good comfy light footwear.
After dozens of trips to very hot places I gave up on coats completely and bought a thin, light, longish Gore-tex anorak with a simple hood that rolls up into a collar. They are fairly inexpensive and can be tightly rolled into a package about the size of a small loaf of bread which will fit into hand luggage. There is often a time in a hot country when you can be caught in a tropical downpour and this will do the job of keeping you fairly dry. (Otherwise, it normally resides in my car.)

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