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

@Doubleraspberry it was Qatar q suite to Malaysia.
They definitely did it for me! I got up to queue and they said to sit down and they'd let me know, which they did.

Also forgot to mention, nowadays they certainly do let you know when the loo is free, but that’s because of Covid (to avoid queues) and I’ve had it happen to me on every airline I’ve flown since 2020, from Ryanair to BA, Swiss or Lufthansa. Ryanair were actually the most efficient at this, although they do still need to sort out their de-boarding process

[quote Baxdream]@Doubleraspberry it was Qatar q suite to Malaysia.
They definitely did it for me! I got up to queue and they said to sit down and they'd let me know, which they did.
[/quote]
Oh God my nightmare - it would make me shit my pants there and then 😂

@EileenGC

Also forgot to mention, nowadays they certainly do let you know when the loo is free, but that’s because of Covid (to avoid queues) and I’ve had it happen to me on every airline I’ve flown since 2020, from Ryanair to BA, Swiss or Lufthansa. Ryanair were actually the most efficient at this, although they do still need to sort out their de-boarding process

They definitely weren't doing it on BA long haul last summer.

I used to travel business class for work, and there's geat advice on this thread - comfortable, soft, relaxed is key. Most other passengers will be the same because they don't feel they have to try as this is normal for them. I took pashmina and small cushion for extra comfort, skincare & teeth stuff and deo wipes for feeling fresh, plenty to read and do.

@EileenGC

Also forgot to mention, nowadays they certainly do let you know when the loo is free, but that’s because of Covid (to avoid queues) and I’ve had it happen to me on every airline I’ve flown since 2020, from Ryanair to BA, Swiss or Lufthansa. Ryanair were actually the most efficient at this, although they do still need to sort out their de-boarding process

Didn't happen on my October BA flight.

I've only d;one this once but DH and I noticed that the regular flyers were all dressed in very casual T shirts and joggers, with a hoodie or sweatshirt to throw on. They drank water, didn't eat much and slept most of the journey. I'm afraid DH and I must have stood out like a sore thumb amongst them as newbies as we quaffed champagne and ate everything offered. I don't care though, won't be doing it again any time soon.

@SocialConnection

I used to travel business class for work, and there's geat advice on this thread - comfortable, soft, relaxed is key. Most other passengers will be the same because they don't feel they have to try as this is normal for them. I took pashmina and small cushion for extra comfort, skincare & teeth stuff and deo wipes for feeling fresh, plenty to read and do.

This is an excellent point, most business class flyers are often frequent flyers with the airline, and they know how to fly efficiently, soft comfortable clothes layers, comfy shoes etc, they don’t get dressed up,

The op should do so if she wishes, but she might feel very self conscious if she does so, based on the fact she’s even asking the question, it also marks you out at the folks who have never done it before and it’s a really big deal for, which is nothing to be ashamed of, but flying is really like catching a bus now a days, all that happens with business is better food and drink and better seats. But it’s like dressing up to sit in the first class carriage of your daily train commute, not really required or done by anyone.

The absolute last thing I would ever consider wearing on a long haul flight is a white tshirt. It might be “crisp” when you start out in the morning, it sure as hell won’t be after a day of queuing, sitting on a plane and hefting suitcases around. You want loose layers so you can keep warm at this end and in the air and still feel relatively fresh and cool when you arrive at the other end.
And I’ve never got the thing about removing makeup mid-air and reapplying it before you get off. You’d have to be breathtakingly selfish to occupy the toilet while you did that, and attention-seekingly uninhibited to do it in your seat. A quick slop of moisturiser is one thing, but fannying about with wipes when you’re inches away from a total stranger is a bit weird.

TLDR but on flights pre covid they give you pijamas that look like a jogging suit.

We were upgraded once. It was very obvious to everyone, not because we were dressed differently (we weren't) but because we said please and thank you, unlike the predominantly American passengers who were really quite rude and arrogant.

Anyway, genuine question: if you're taking your make up off, why would you bother putting it on in the first place?

And surely a high pony tail would get in the way when you put your head back?

Don't mind me, I'm just jealous

I’m an air hostess! Please wear whatever will be comfy. Layers definitely, a wrap to use as a mini-blanket (although you should get blankets and pillows etc as well, but you probably can’t use them for take off and landing and you might be chilly then) and shoes on when you go to the loo/walk through the galley. The only people super dressed tend to be staff passengers (because they make us)

Most airlines PJs are just in first class, but you get a washbag on most long haul business class flights.

Tell the crew you’re celebrating, they might make a fuss (if they’re not madly busy)

In answer to someone’s question - most people get changed in the loo, but there’s a surprising amount of people who get changed in the aisle. Men just standing there in their pants is sadly not an uncommon sight!

And don’t wear any base make-up so you can try on some fancy creams in duty free! Testers are back!

If you do plump for the crisp white shirt, remember to use extra starch

How does that work on a T shirt though? I am so mystified. Even the £250 white T shirt looks quite… slouchy.

It doesn't! It's just 'Style and Beauty' bollocks. Along with the high pony tail and wearing your engagement ring and wedding ring.

Where whatever you would normally wear to fly - practical, comfortable and layers. I think people stopped "dressing up" to fly around about 1955.

I fly business and first all the time. We wear the same as everyone in economy. My kids wear joggers etc I wear something comfy so I can sleep (if in first though you get PJs. The only people that dress up are those hoping to be upgraded. You've paid - wear what you want

With respect to the high pony tail, what do you do if you have short hair?

Well clearly you need to be in economy @SoupDragon

Thankfully I can scrape together enough for a high ponytail! I'll let it grow some more before summer though, just to be on the safe side.

@Trendytrousers

I’d wear some chic wide-leg black trousers (an upmarket jogger as it were) like the classic tracksuit style from Me+Em or M&S which will be comfy but also chic and elegant.

A crisp white T-shirt which you can tuck in, with perhaps a longer belted cardigan over your shoulders which you can wrap around you when it’s cold. Also a beautiful coloured pashmina to wear on the flight! On my feet you could wear a smart white trainer but if you’re short on space and won’t need them when you’re there, wear a smart pair of slip on sandals.

A nice big bag slung in the crook of your arm and a pair of sunnies and you’re good to go! Enjoy the experience!

Can’t wait to see the state of the crisp white tee shirt at the end of the flight.

But what confused me the most is why is the op going to wear one trainer on your feet? What is she going to wear on the other foot?

@ExConstance

I've only d;one this once but DH and I noticed that the regular flyers were all dressed in very casual T shirts and joggers, with a hoodie or sweatshirt to throw on. They drank water, didn't eat much and slept most of the journey. I'm afraid DH and I must have stood out like a sore thumb amongst them as newbies as we quaffed champagne and ate everything offered. I don't care though, won't be doing it again any time soon.

You & your DP sound fun and interesting! Who cares what the jaded frequent flyers think?

@SpeckledlyHen it's the old Trinny style thing - we wear a nude lip or a jean or a white trainer or smokey eye 😂

@Boood
I fly business for holidays mostly. I can assure you the business pods are private. They have privacy screens. No one would see you apply make up and no one would be close enough to care! Business does afford some private space.