Please tell me, or show me, what you're wearing if flying long haul soon...

[JemimaPyjamas]

I am due to go away at the end of the month and am now, finally, able to get excited (as opposed to waiting for the flights to be cancelled.) Hence, a bit of window shopping for flights is helping pass the time...

I will be taking three planes, one of which will be an 11.5hr flight so want to be comfortable but also not too hot at the other end, or cold during the flight. I vaguely like the idea of this but suspect it's rather overpriced. I'd wear a light white t-shirt under it.

I have also got various other options already at home that I will probably go for, but like the idea of browsing for ideas as I am really excited! It feels like so long since I've flown that I've forgotten what it's like!

Please tell me about your ideas / suggestions / purchases...

I ALWAYS change into cotton pj trousers with elasticated waist on night long haul with comfy socks. If you're flying during the day maybe a wrap dress or harem pants? Just nothing too restrictive. Also take pashmina etc to layer up in case plan is over air conditioned. I also usually take my make up off and slather on moisturiser then reapply and brush my teeth before landing

I managed to get hold of a pair of these which are possibly going in my hand luggage - and have accumulated a whole selection of lotions, potions etc to try and remain presentable at the other end! I don't like wrap dresses, and certainly more of a 'soft trouser' type. I'm a bit concerned about either being too hot or too cold, but also appreciate that I am rather overthinking this all due to excitement!

Jersey is a great call - soft, layerable, won't crease. Maybe get some cashmere or fluffy woollen socks?

I have some of these sock-wise.

I wear a jersey dress and leggings usually, take thick socks in your hand luggage (nice airlines still give you some!)

Any form of travelling needs to involve a large scarf/ wrap/ shawl/ pashmina.
I wouldn't wear anything restrictive and would go for minimal jewellery.

Skirt, t-shirt, cardigan, sandals ('nice' ones). I didn't buy anything special, just stuff from the wardrobe.

My flights were all hot and my destination was very hot.

I'm off on Friday (8 hr 30) and will be wearing my usual on the way out - trainers, jersey maxi skirt with soft turnover top, vest, crop top bra, zip hoodie. On the way back next Wednesday (night flight) it'll be trainers, Sweaty Betty leggings (after my discovery that my compression socks slide easily over them to get them on and off on the plane so better than regular leggings), long vest, zip hoodie, M&S sleep bra. Second transatlantic trip in a month and I'm back in routine as its all about comfort for me. I'd never wear cashmere socks on a skanky plane floor

I'd keep away from any synthetic material, breathable loose cotton.

If I don't plan to do laundry on the other side, I wear old clothes that I can chuck at the first night hotel, and that helps make space for packing shopping on the way back.

Even before the pandemic I used to have a cotton bandana to tie around my face during the flight and breathe cleaner warmer and humid air, now we have these masks its even better.

I always wear dresses

I feel the cold, yes even on stuffy flights. So trousers that could be worn on street or be PJs & cotton thin shirts, including long sleeve. Few pairs of socks, gloves( yes really)

I’ve got some soft jersey trousers from Cos with a drawstring and some Teva style sandals. Probably a T-shirt - I’d like an oversized cashmere sweater or hoodie but I can’t afford one so I’ve bought a blanket made from yaks wool 😂…. It’s soft but lighter in texture than cashmere. I’d like a fancy tote for a change to my Eastpak back-pack but I’m not sure I can justify the expense.

Budget option here 😂

I always wear jersey leggings , white pumps , black vest top with a hoody over - all primark. No frills . Just easy . Take goody off at end destination. Tie round waist .

This 100x over

I used to travel for work.a lot.

first compression socks…always. But I’d advise taking them off at each stopover and stretching walking a lot, then put back on just before boarding next flight. Otherwise I’d end up with horrendous restless legs.

then a pair of slipper socks with rubber soles or loose mules to go over compression socks, so you can get to loo in middle of night without stepping in piss from shared sex toilets. Take a bag to put these outer foot covers in before putting back in your hold bag. Honestly the floors of loos after 8 hours of long haul are 🤢

take loads of sanitising wet wipes - wipe your chair arms and table thoroughly…they’re usually extremely grubby except in obvious places they get their quick wipe and you can also use in the pissy loos.

in terms of clothes layers of jersey. I always wore elasticated jersey trousers and then a “ twin” set short sleeve top and cardigan combos. Layers can be taken on and off as needed. Avoid buttons zips and anything you can’t get on and off in a seated position with 2 peoples elbows in your side. Generally I was always more hot than cold especially if you are reclining or flat bed- the air circulation doesn’t go that far down I think. But if you’re a cold person a wrap or lightweight blanket in hand luggage is a good shout. If you’re business class or first class you’ll get one anyway. I used to take an old “acquired” BA first class one with me. Pashmina are a bit big and fringes can get caught in seats/belts. Do be aware literally no one will notice what you wear on a plane- only a few people can see you. It is not a fashion parade. Wear for comfort and practicality only and don’t wear something expensive. Wear stuff you have already and don’t mind be scrunched up and sweaty in.

id also take something to help you sleep like antihistamine or nytol ( I’d take antihistamine as my nose blocks up and then streams terribly during long haul). Very soft Ears plugs also as ear buds or phones will hurt your ears after 6 hours and if you want to sleep you need to block out that constant low hum of plane.

forget makeup on plane. It’ll get dehydrated and cake. The loos are nasty places to hang out in to reapply. (🤣🤣I hate plane loos as you can tell ) Instead have a good mini wash bag and makeup basics you can access to use in womens toilets at stopovers or at destination when you can have a good wash and tidy. Some long haul layover airports have showers- I’ve used them whenever I could to really clean and human again. They provide towels. You’ll have to pay for them if going economy or some business class.

take a spare set of nicer but crushable clothes and fresh undies in your bag to change into at arrival toilets while waiting for you baggage - that’ll help you feel presentable for your onward journey or greeting your hosts etc,. I always used to take a couple of spare sets in hand luggage anyway as fallback if my hold luggage got lost. These things happen frequently. Although one of my colleagues once traveled for 5 years with a set of spare emergency clothes in a bag he literally never opened once . When he finally had to use them he found he couldn’t do up the very creased shirt buttons due to the paunch he’d developed over those 5 years 🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♀️

Oh for your mini wash bag in your hand luggage, don’t buy expensive mini. Buy some tiny plastic bottle on internet and decant your usual favs into…much cheaper. All in zip lock plastic bag for security. You have to get cover at curating so will all fit in.

and forgot- get industrial stength lip balm and keep next to you in seat. Only makeup you will need.

Take care with those tassels…they can easily get tangled in seat mechanism or seat belt, I’ve seen people have to get air stewards to rescue them or it in the past.

I just did a long haul flight and was surprised how many women were in gym leggings. I was in cotton trousers, black tee, flannel shirt, hoodie in my carry-on and it worked well for me.

Take care with those tassels…they can easily get tangled in seat mechanism or seat belt, I’ve seen people have to get air stewards to rescue them or it in the past

Duly noted thank you. I’ve just been away on hand luggage only and bought some silicone travel bottles for my toiletries which are easier to fill and finish up than the hard plastic versions I had. I also bought a few 30ml spray bottles for decanting body sprays, etc which are useful for the flight and have since gone into my handbag for day to day use. Other than that packing cubes and ziplock bags by Hefty are my must have packing accessories

Until it started coming up pretty regularly on here, I never new how to dress was a quandary when it comes to flying long haul. How have I managed all these years.

I do quite like that sweater set though.

For a recent long haul (3 x 7 hours )

• Spanx leather look leggings. Wipe clean!
• Very soft tshirt (Uniqlo modal)
• Cashmere jumper
• My roomiest sneakers
• Soft crop bra, Modibodi light period knickers - keeps everything dry and non smelly!

I packed fluffy rubber soled socks, spare tshirt and knickers in my carry on. And carried a teddy coat when the destination was cold - made for a very snuggly sleep.

Even better than pashminas, are ponchos, as they don't slide off. You can put it on and forget about it. You'll be able to move about without worrying it's coming off your shoulders or ending up caught under your legs.

My long haul uniform has always been black not see through leggings, short sleeve t-shirt and longer length hoodie on top. And warm fluffy socks to wear on the plane.

It you're not that tall like me, Geox trainers, the ones with the hidden heel, and wireless headphones!