What to Wear on a Flight
These travel-ready essentials will see you from take-off to landing in style.
No matter if it’s a quick trip or a long-haul flight, there are no shortage of perks to looking presentable when flying. Gone are the days when a tailored suit was considered standard, though rolling up to the airport in a sweat suit isn’t necessarily something that’s going to earn you an upgrade.
Because of both their form and their function, these staples are the best base to build a flight-friendly ‘fit around.
Depending on the time of year and ports of departure and arrival, these items may need to be lighter or heavier in weight or different in fabric, though some variation of each will always serve you well.
It's somewhat old-school, but even if it’s summertime, you should always wear (or at least bring) a soft jacket of some sort.
Emphasis on the “soft” aspect — this should be an easy, comfortable, and malleable jacket that won’t feel restrictive or impractical to fly in. For this reason, it should also be roomy enough to allow for lots of movement (picture stowing your definitely not-over-stuffed carry-on in the overhead bins) and a few layers to be worn underneath.
Ideally, wear something with a bit of weight to it — a sturdy wool, twill, denim, or leather will still look great after an eight-hour flight and the inevitable delay(s).
Once you’re up a few thousand feet in the air, the external air temperature starts to plummet, and airplanes can start to feel beyond drafty. Airline blankets (not always complimentary, by the way) are okay at keeping your legs warm, but up top, nothing beats the comfort and mobility of an actual sweater.
If you’re departing or arriving from somewhere cold, layer your sweater under your soft jacket for maximum warmth. When not needed, you tie your sweater’s arms around your neck or stuff it into a bag.
When keeping warm is the opposite of your worries, there’s nothing more cooling than a t-shirt made from soft, breathable fabric like pure or Pima cotton — exactly why a plain tee always deserves to be your base layer underneath your sweater and soft jacket when flying.
If you get a little too toasty on your travels — perhaps you’ve landed in a tropical destination or had to sprint from one end of the airport to the other due to a changed gate — this allows you to strip back to just a t-shirt.
Depending on which airport you’re travelling through, moving through security can be particularly taxing, and it’s not uncommon for you to be asked to remove your shoes before stepping through the body scanners. For this reason, we always advise a slip-on shoe for ease of removal and sliding into.
Loafers are the most elevated choice, which can work in your favour if you’re trying to get a bump up to business class. That said, white-soled loafers or refined laceless sneakers are a more casual alternative and make for a more comfortable journey.
Shoes off through security? Fine. Without socks? Never. Always wear a pair of socks with your slip-on shoes when flying, for sanitary reasons as well as for warmth.
As noted above, airplanes can start to feel mighty cold mid-flight, and bare ankles have no defense against drafts. Plus, if you’re landing somewhere warm and want to go sockless after you land, you can stuff your socks in your suitcase after landing.
Don’t forget your bag — the right carry-on or sleek backpack can elevate your whole look while keeping essentials close. Whether it’s a leather duffle, a slim brief, or a protective case for your tech, it’s as much a part of your outfit as your jacket or shoes.
