Deciding what to wear for a long flight is always quite the conundrum. At least, it always is for me. As a self-proclaimed fashionista, I cringe at the thought of stepping off the plane looking wrinkled and frumpy or in a mess of sweats. Of course, nobody wants to be caught in a constricting and uncomfortable outfit on an airplane, where you’re already stuck in the same position for such a long time. So what’s a girl to do? Since I’m leaving tomorrow, I thought it was about time I figured something out.
The outfit that I put together [below] is both comfortable and stylish. Jeans (preferably with a wider leg) are the best bet for comfort without appearing slovenly, and I tried to find a pair that won’t stretch out too much with wear. I paired those with a cute blouse and a colorful cardigan to keep warm, and I tried to keep the jewelry to a minimum, since I wouldn’t want it getting caught on anything. The slingback heels are a testament to just how girly I am, but they are easy to slip on and off while on the plane. To complete the look, I added a roomy, patterned tote (for magazines, my iPod, some real food, etc.).
Argento Vivo Silver Etched Teardrop Earrings, $30.00 @ Bluefly
Semantiks Pleated Print Top, $54.00 @ Nordstrom
Cotton-Blend V-Neck Cardigan, $58.00 @ Banana Republic
Orla Kiely Etc. Shiny Laminated Stem Print Bag, $170.00 @ Shopbop
Nili Lotan Denim Wide Leg Pants, $281.00 @ Revolve Clothing
Delman Ronda, $70.99 @ Pepperlime
What do you think? What kind of outfit would you wear for a long flight?
What to Wear in the Air
Pack It Up
How and What to Pack for Your Trips
Granted, most people are probably on their way back from their travels, but this might be a good how-to for future reference. Plus, I’m leaving for the time of my life (so far) in 5 days, so packing has been on my mind. My personal predicament: what clothes to pack when you’re going on a study abroad program for 3 months (I’m going to Rome!).
The Essentials
1) Check luggage restrictions for wherever you’re going
2) Know what the weather is going to be like
3) Keep in mind how long your trip will last
The Basics
1) Have good-quality, recognizable suitcases (imagine grabbing the wrong bag, or having your 40+ pound bag lose a wheel, fall apart, etc.)
2) Conserve space as much as you can (for example, socks/underwear can get stuffed into shoes rather than take up more space on their own)
3) Pack mostly low-maintenance clothing (i.e. non-wrinkling, easy to air-dry)
4) Don’t over pack (7 pairs of heels for a 2-day trip might count as too much… so might 7 pairs of heels for 3 months, if that time is going to be spent walking around a mile everyday)
Tips and Tricks
1) Bring clothing that will be appropriate for the places you’ll visit (miniskirts and the Vatican do not mix)
2) Look into how the locals dress (you probably won’t be able to blend in completely, but at least you’ll have an idea of how everyone else is going to look)
3) Go for clothing that you can easily mix-and-match to maximize outfit potential (in other words, don’t bring the bulky chartreuse sweater if you only ever wear it with one outfit)
4) Cram in as many accessories as you can (jewelry, scarves, etc. are great ways to jazz up outfits and make them your own—plus, they take up so little space)
5) Remember that you’ll be able to shop while you’re at your destination (I plan to do lots of this—just make sure there’s room in your suitcase for the trip back)
