Business class flight .... help! What do I wear - ideas gratefully appreciated!

[Millylovespuddles]

DH and are going on a special holiday to celebrate our 25th anniversary. So, we have splurged on business class flights en-route to Jamaica.

We go mid-Feb, and I'm having a sudden confidence crisis as I don't know what to wear..... I want to be comfortable, yet look stylish (and not look like an imposter)
I'm 55, 5'1, size 8 - feel youthful and want to look trendy, not trying.
Any tips? TIA

Do not wear a 'crisp white teeshirt'! You want soft and dark, ideally longsleeved. I used to wear a cashmere hoodie, I found it easier to sleep with the hood up around my neck. It can get quite cold remember. Don't wear socks to the loo, if the floor is gross (and it will be) your socks are absorbing that, nice. Also - please please don't be that person that does their hair and makeup in the loo, I've stood in one too many queues to pee before descent whilst some weapon makes herself up to arrive like Beyonce.

You'll likely get a little pouch with socks and an eyemask and some small cosmetics, I have quite a collection of those from KLM and Air France - those socks are handy if you want to just put them on over your own. I miss travel :-(

I agree that comfort is king when travelling long distance, but I also totally get what you mean about it being a special occasion and wanting to make it feel different to your usual trips.

If it were me (and I wish it was, you lucky duck!) I'd go with the suggestions of joggers, comfy top, white runners, cardigan etc but I'd treat myself to the best quality of those that I could afford. The hush or E&M joggers, a silk mix top, a cashmere cardigan that sort of thing. I'd also invest in cashmere socks to change into on the flight.

Good luck I hope you have a safe journey and a fabulous holiday!

A pinstripe suit and a bowler hat

Just be comfy

We’re normal comfy travel clothes. Joggers, leggings or comfy trousers will be fine. Remember to take a soft cardigan or hoodie. You’ll look more out of place if you dress up!

Wear not we’re

why would you wear jeans on a long haul flight? Joggers, leggings, something you can comfortably sleep in. Layers. I personally always wear long wool t-shirts - they are so practical and breathable, and don't start to stink like polyester. Long cashmere or merino cardigan on top.

I would not go for a white t-shirt. Turbulence affects business class as well and spills are likely, so dark patterned shirts are much more practical.

When I flew first class from London to Sydney on BA, I wore the free pyjamas I was given on board. As did most of the cabin. I still wear them now 13yrs later!

No one cares at all.

Same as you'd wear on any flight. You've already got your ticket, so it's not like you need to impress someone.

I always change into lounge wear pyjamas on a plane if it's more than a few hours.

The only time you'd dress up I think is if you're hoping for an upgrade, but those days have passed now there's so much focus on frequent flyer programmes.

You won't look like an imposter whatever you wear, unless you get really dressed up!

I usually wear a midi dress with a cardigan over it, and that's what I'll be wearing next week en route to my 25th anniversary holiday. I will wear the dress on holiday, whereas if I wore loungewear it wouldn't get worn while I was away.

Actually, just remembered seeing a woman on the way to Greece in a onesie and rollers on her hair. She looked wrong in my opinion, so maybe not that!

This can't be real? You just wear the exact same as you would for any other journey 🤷🏼‍♀️

I really wouldn't be wearing anything belted. Way too uncomfortable.

Also, as @SoupDragon points out, you need to consider the fact that it will be very warm on your arrival, so definitely lighter trousers (rather than heavy denim jeans) and a short sleeved top of some kind (not a 'crisp white t-shirt' ) and layers over the top of that.

And, if flights from Jamaica are anything like those back from Barbados, you may have a night flight home, so again consider something that will be comfortable to sleep in.

I'm amazed at the detail of some of these posts - wear your wedding and engagement ring, a high pony tail and specific brands 😁 . The one thing I would say to take and for comfort value is a wrap/poncho/shawl type thing - I'm not going to specify any specific cashmere brand 😁

I'd missed the bit specifying wedding/engagement rings 😂 Utterly bonkers.

I googled 'crisp white T shirt' and got this list of potential items, which I am sharing here in a helpful way. I can't for the life of me see how any of them are 'crisp' though.

www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/how-to-find-perfect-white-tshirt

Qatar provide pjs to change into. I've seen people change as they get on the flight into loungewear. Particularly for a night flight although if it's your first business experience you won't want to sleep!

The provision of pjs depends on the airline and class of flight. If you're flying with BA you'll only get those if you're flying first class, not business. If you're flying Virgin Upper Class you will get one. (Although for a daytime flight you may have to request one)

@BIWI

The provision of pjs depends on the airline and class of flight. If you're flying with BA you'll only get those if you're flying first class, not business. If you're flying Virgin Upper Class you will get one. (Although for a daytime flight you may have to request one)

Do people look at you strangely if you insist on putting on pyjamas at 11am?

Do people look at you strangely if you insist on putting on pyjamas at 11am?

At the price the tickets cost, I don't think I would care if they did 😂

We flew first once (probably never again 😂) and I wore joggers, vest and jumper with trainers.

Literally no one cares what you wear and you spend the whole time sitting or lying with a blanket over you so it’s not like anyone can even see your clothes.

Boggling at the crisp shirt people with their belted cardis and fancy trousers. Must be super uncomfortable.

Oh, and on BA first, the majority of people got changed straight into the free pjs.

Not at all! The ones I have are either charcoal grey or dark navy blue, so I'd hardly be parading around in pink and fluffy unicorn-patterned ones!

And it's a good idea to wear them, even on a daytime flight - I flew to New York once; put the pjs on when we boarded, and then within 10 minutes the guy in the seat next to me managed to knock his glass of red wine all over me.

@ParkingDiagram

Oh, and on BA first, the majority of people got changed straight into the free pjs.

Does everyone queue to get into the loo to change, or are you all wiggling around by your seats like at the beach?

I’d never look at someone strangely for putting on PJs at 11am. For all I know, that person’s body clock is still at 3am/9pm and maybe they’re coming off their 2nd or 3rd flight of the day and have yet another one to go.

Frequent fliers won’t bat an eyelid, we’ve seen it all and been there, done that. Airline staff - same. The only people who would look strangely at you, are those who think they know how to ‘do’ business class / long haul travel but don’t actually fly more than once or twice a year themselves

[quote Doubleraspberry]I googled 'crisp white T shirt' and got this list of potential items, which I am sharing here in a helpful way. I can't for the life of me see how any of them are 'crisp' though.

www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/how-to-find-perfect-white-tshirt[/quote]
"crisp" is that word that you often find used on S and B 😂

Oh and if you change in the loos - like most people do - please don’t leave it until the ‘we’ll be landing in 40 minutes, please use the toilets now’ announcement.

Same for reapplying make up. There is nothing more annoying than queuing for ages because people have decided to get changed at the last moment. Some people actually need a quick trip to the loo at that point as they need to rush to work / their next connecting flight etc.