What to wear on a plane to survive short and long flights

For a flight, I’d dress for comfort above all: loose clothes in layers, and no jeans or tight T-shirts. The cabin temperature keeps changing, the air is dry and your legs can swell. And pick shoes that won’t hold you up at security.

Quick factsby Milan Bez Mapy

Basics

Layers, soft fabrics and loose clothes, such as a merino T-shirt and a zip-up hoodie

Jeans

Fine on a short flight, very uncomfortable on a long one, even undone

Shoes

A pair that’s easy to slip off at security; leave heels and flip-flops in your luggage

How I do it

I usually fly with hand luggage only and wear my bulkiest things

Connecting flights

Better leave the coat at home, even when flying from cold to warm; you’ll only use it at the start and the end

Perfume

Strong perfume has no place on a plane; put it on after you land

What to wear on a plane? It isn’t just about looking good in a selfie in front of the plane. It’s about comfort and safety too, and it makes a real difference. A weekend in Rome is one thing, a flight to New York at Christmas is another. Jeans? A disaster. A tight T-shirt? Not that either. In this article I’ll show you how to dress for short and long flights alike.

What to wear on a plane: my clothing tips for flying

A plane is not a catwalk. It’s basically a hermetically sealed tin can where the temperature keeps changing, the air is drier than the Sahara and your legs can swell because of the cabin pressure. And don’t forget security, which you want to get through as quickly as possible, so an evening gown would only get in the way. After all, you wouldn’t dress like that for a train either.

So dress sensibly. What you wear on a plane can be the difference between a comfortable flight and sheer torture. The basics are layers, soft fabrics and loose clothes. That way you’ll survive even the longest flight. Mine was from Doha to New Zealand.

You could say that wrong clothes = bad flight, but I don’t want to scare you. On a two-hour flight it barely matters. I usually travel with hand luggage only, so I wear my bulkiest things. That saves space in my bag.

Comfortable clothes for flying: my tips

Start with a T-shirt next to your skin (merino, for example, which is soft, wicks away sweat and regulates your temperature). Add a jumper or a zip-up hoodie on top, and finish with a jacket if you’re heading somewhere you’ll need one. Above all, keep it comfortable, so skip the jumpsuit.

A hoodie comes in handy, too. On the plane you can pull the hood up to keep the draught off, or cover your face with it and sleep. Or better still, fold it up and use it as a pillow. A scarf does the same job, unless you happen to be flying to Zanzibar.

Layers work brilliantly, because the morning can be chilly, the cabin warm and the place where you land hot. It depends where you’re going, but you can always add or take off a layer.

For your bottom half, loose trousers are fine. Plenty of people wear tracksuit bottoms, but I’m not so sure… we are out in public. Pyjamas belong in your luggage, too, unless they hand you a pair in first class. Women have the edge here, because they can travel in leggings. Shorts or skirts aren’t exactly hygienic.

Jeans are stylish, but on long flights they’re seriously uncomfortable, even if you undo them. They’ll still dig in somewhere.

• Tip from Milan The best fabrics for flying are breathable ones, such as cotton or merino wool, which is antibacterial. Bamboo isn’t bad either. In a fire, synthetic fabrics can melt onto your skin, and clothes that don’t breathe will make you sweat.

What are the best shoes to wear on a plane?

The ideal shoes for a flight are comfortable and easy to slip off, which also helps at security. Leave heels in your luggage, and flip-flops too. How would you run for a connecting flight in them? On a long flight you can take your shoes off, but if you go to the toilet, please put them back on.

• Tip from Milan Compression socks or stockings support blood circulation, help prevent swollen legs and protect against thrombosis. Consider them for long flights or if you have problems with your veins. Luckily, compression socks these days look stylish rather than medical, so it’s a win-win.

What to wear when you fly through different climates

Connecting flights are the biggest challenge. You leave freezing Vienna, change planes in warmer Madrid and fly on to hot Rio. How do you dress when you have to cross several climate zones?

Layers are the key. It’s the first layer that has to work everywhere; take the others off as you go. Ideally, leave the coat at home, even if you’re going from somewhere cold to the tropics. Realistically, you’ll only use it at the start and end of the journey.

• Tip from Milan It doesn’t hurt to keep one complete outfit in your hand luggage to change into during a connection or after a long flight. At that point, clean clothes feel like being born again. Packing cubes help here, so you can quickly find what you need.

Can I wear perfume or jewellery on a plane?

This is a controversial topic, but I’ll say it straight: strong perfume has no place on a plane. In an enclosed space a scent gets more intense and spreads through the whole cabin. When 300 people all do that, it isn’t much fun for anyone, and you can’t exactly open a window. Think of yourself and everyone else. If you must, use a good deodorant or a light eau de toilette instead. And best of all, put your perfume on after you land.

Lots of rings, big bracelets, heavy necklaces… Doesn’t sound very comfortable, does it? Jewellery tends to be a problem on a plane. Go for minimalism instead: small earrings, a watch or a wedding ring. You’ll get through security faster. And during the flight your body retains water, so your hands and feet swell.

Rings that fitted perfectly in the morning may not come off in the evening. They’re also easy to lose, and earrings get in the way when you sleep. On the other hand, a neckerchief or a scarf is quite a practical accessory.

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What to pack for a long flight

Don’t forget the little things, such as:

• An eye mask
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Moisturiser, ideally with SPF, because the air on a plane dries out your skin
• Lip balm
• A book, crosswords or anything else to pass the time

Above all, drink plenty of water, not alcohol. Why you shouldn’t drink alcohol on a plane is a story for another time.

FAQ: what to wear on a plane

What should I wear on a long flight?

For a long flight, dress in layers: a T-shirt in a breathable fabric such as merino or cotton, a zip-up hoodie and loose trousers or leggings. Skip jeans and tight clothes, because the cabin temperature keeps changing and your legs can swell on a long flight.

What should I wear on a plane in summer?

Even in summer, a light T-shirt and loose trousers are a good choice, plus a hoodie or a scarf. The cabin temperature keeps changing, and it may be hot again when you land. In my view, shorts and skirts aren’t very hygienic on an aircraft seat.

Are jeans OK to wear on a plane?

Jeans are fine for a short flight, but on a long one they’re very uncomfortable and dig in even when undone. For a long flight I recommend loose trousers in a soft fabric, and women can also travel in leggings.

What shoes should I wear on a plane?

Comfortable shoes that are easy to slip off are best, because you sometimes have to take them off at the security check. Leave heels and flip-flops in your luggage: it’s hard to run for a connecting flight in them. If you take your shoes off on a long flight, put them back on to go to the toilet.

Are compression socks worth it on a plane?

Yes, especially on long flights or if you have problems with your veins. Compression socks or stockings support blood circulation, help prevent swollen legs and reduce the risk of thrombosis. If you have a vein condition, ask a doctor to recommend the right type of compression.

In short, dressing well still won’t get you an upgrade, I’m afraid. But you can look good and feel comfortable at the same time; the two aren’t mutually exclusive at all. Just find a relaxed mix of clothes that look good and are comfortable. You can bring your own food, but at most airports anything liquid or spreadable is only allowed in containers of up to 100 ml. What to wear on a plane? Now you know.

Milan

Also worth reading: how to get through airport security with a duty-free purchase.