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One Argument for Dressing up for Your Next Flight

Posted by Jim Benning • 12.20.07
Categories: Weblog • Air Travel • Travel Fashion • Travel Tips

Permalink • Comments (23)

In days of yore flying was a very “posh” mode of travel and well dressed gentry could be seen in all ticket classes.
Now days it looks as if many travelers have dressed from the clothing discards of a thrift store.  I long for the more gentile days when travel was a unique experience and MOST baggage was in the luggage compartment and not jammed in the overhead storage bins.

maybe if airlines gave us the larger seats we once had so our clothes didn’t wrinkle from being so close, then we could dress better.

I personally dress up far more than the average traveler; however due to the cleanliness of the airline seats these days limits my choice of my nicer clothing.  I also fear for my hair as to what was pressed against that head rest prior to me that never gets wiped off anymore between flights.

I feel that a well travelled person knows that an international traveller has to be dressed as if he/she will being running a marathon. It seems that due to size of the planes and extra security measure the international part of any airport is miles away from baggage claim and the front doors of the airport. You better has comfortable shoes and clothes on to run those miles w/ a carryon that now seems to weigh a ton. Once you get to to main entrance of the airport your face is red and if you have good cardio you may be slightly out of breath and really need a cool down period.

Dress for comfort, just make sure you have brushed your teeth, showered and your clothes are clean, the rest is your business!!  Jackie

Dressing for comfort for an international flight does not preclude dressing stylishly.  Why do so few people seem anymore to grasp the concept that clothes that fit well are comfortable.  There are entire lines of clothing designed to travel well.  They remain neat looking and stylish no matter how long the flight.  When did “comfort” become synonymous with “slovenly”? 

Don’t even get me started on carry on baggage.  It needs to be banned on international flights.  I am sick and tired of being trapped onboard an airplane that has landed because I must wait for people to unload their luggage from the overheads.  At the very least the airlines should allow those of us who only brought our cosmetic tote and purse, possibly a coat in season, to get off first.  Let the pack mules do their thing, but why do I have to be kept a prisoner while they do so.

When I went to India this past summer I was visiting for 6 weeks. Did I carry all my belongings in the overhead no! I carried a book bag with some toiletries, makeup, 2 book and one change of cloths. I do not understand why people must bring their house with them on a plane? All my belongings brought in-flight fit under my seat in the one back pack. I also wore cloths that were comfortable yet better looking. It is possible to feel comfortable and look good.

bringing on fast food garbage conplaining ofnot able to smoke dressing like they came out of the barn.has anyone disscarded there 1960s/70s cut off dirty jean shorts? some people need to check thier birth cert. 40 plus men chuck the backwards baseball caps and the old closet t/shirts.just my viewing of alot of flying and cruising

I used to dress quite well for travel, not only with the hope of upgrade (my aunt was a flight attendant in her youth and told me that they definately picked better dressed people for the front of the plane) but also because it makes the travel seem more ‘special’ (which is why I also dress up for dining out and the theatre). 

Now with the metal detectors, shoe removal, body cavity search, long lines, and smaller seats I find myself traveling in clothing that a) has little or no metal and b)is well fitting and wrinkle resistant. 
This ususally means a pair of nylon hiking pants and a t-shirt, sneakers and socks.  I carry a laptop bag with my computer and a paperback inside, and still have trouble getting space in the overheads.
I remember when flying was fun.  What happened?

I (at 48), also remember when flying was fun. I rememmber Dressing To Fly, too. I also remember pleasantly smoking and drinking on flights without being cursed at, and eating real food with real flatware. And I also remember when it stopped being a lot of fun, right around “hijacking time”, when, in 1976 and on a student flight in Europe, we were told to disembark on a runway (in Greece, I believe), pick out our luggage and open it, and I had machine guns pulled on me by soldiers when my travel clock wouldn’t open. Learning that the airlines do not hire A/P licenced mechanics (too much money!) made it less fun, still. And 9/11 and the post-9/11 inexplicable and stunning lack of security in our airports & aircraft (as I was told: “whadda you want for $8 an hour?"), while mindlessly confiscating shampoo bottles and nail clippers, and frisking silver-haired elderly ladies, didn’t just make flying less “fun”, it made it frankly terrifying.  I NEVER thought I’d refer to the 1970s as the “good old days”, but so they really were, and I am SO glad I’m old enough to have enjoyed them. ElAl is the ONLY airline I feel safe on.

I remember when I looked forward to getting on the plane for a wonderful vacation or traveling for work, now I hate the thought of setting in that seat for 8 hours or more with a person who doesn’t know the basic method of taking a shower and wearing clean clothes. Or maybe the person who sat in the bar for a few drinks and smoked that cigar before boarding the plane and of course the air conditioner is not working very well in the plane. Add these thing to the child behind you kicking your seat and screaming at the top of their lungs since they have to seat in a seat.  Just think we all pay for the privilage to enjoy out flight. And God help you if you ever book a one-way flight less than 24 hours before take out.  After driving about 600 miles to attend a funeral with my family we intended to stay for a couple of week but due to a situation at work I had to fly back home alone. I had no luggage to check as it was coming back with my family. When I got to the reservation counter to pick up my ticket I should have turned around and went out and rented a car and drove home if I would have had the time.  When I got to the security check in it went from bad to worse. It took over 2 hours to get through with all the questions and search of my purse, laptop and one paperback book. ( my purse is about the size of my paperback book ) Never will I ever do that again.  I know there is a need for the security but sometimes it can get out of hand.  I think the airline are doing the best they can sometimes with the things they have to deal with. But I would like to have a flight that I enjoy not dread.

great read, thanks

I always wondered about most of it

My personal opinion is that you must take only the minimal number of dress you really like. I always do this way!

Yup, I always wondered too… anyway, nice find!

I don’t see why sneakers and dressing up can’t be associated terms.  There is an established market for vintage couture (not exactly ideal for traveling I admit) but certainly a growing market.  As for Vintage sneakers commanding the same sort of respect - check out the nike blazer http://www.hoopsvibe.com/sneaker-vibe/the-nike-blazer-ar1524.html one of the all time greats for those in the know.  Travel with these and you will be stylish and comfortable.

Ari

In my opinion, dressing for comfort is key on long flights. Good story though.

Well, that’s just dandy “Free Ringtones”, but I must repeat - since when is “comfortable” the same thing as “slovenly”?  What is your definition of “comfortable”?  If it is a hoodie 10 sizes too large for you and a pair of pajama pants that ought never to have left your home except on the inside of your suitcase . . . then we have an issue. 

I agree, there are few things more miserable than feet that hurt when traveling (or any other time) because you sacrificed comfort for style.  However, I have never gone to Paris or Rome or Florence wearing sneakers AND my feet have never hurt!  There are actual, honest to goodness, shoes out there that are comfortable.  The concept of comfort does not live exclusively in the sole of a canvas and rubber trainer; or in, heaven forfend, a thong (you may call it a “zorie” or a “flip flop")!!!!!  What makes you think anyone else on that 350 passenger plain or the thousands in the airports you will pass through want to see your stanky, scanky, flaky, unpedicured toes!?

[And, please, do not take personal offense with the term “you”.  By “you” I mean those who wear these things out in public.  Unless you, “Free Ringtones”, fall into that category I am speaking generally.]

Thanks for the info. BTW I’ve marked it @ http://news.propeller.com/story/2008/05/01/world-hum-travel-one-argument-for-dressing-up-for-your-next-flight/

I always dress up for a flight. It shows charcter…

As do I

I love this argument - I think how you dress is a reflection of who you are.  Now this said, I myself am guilty of often not putting the best foot forward… but I should… your clothes make an impression just as does the cover of a book.  It shouldn’t be the only criteria (don’t judge a book by its cover), but at the same point if you want to appear as a professional you should certainly dress that way!

That’s very interesting and sure makes me think that I will definitely dress up the next flight I go on.  I’ve never had the luxury of going first class and it would be neat to get bumped up for free.

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