Jet off in style – here’s what to wear on a plane according to fashion experts

With vacation season in full swing, working out what to wear on a plane can be a sartorial nightmare, particularly if you’re on a long-haul flight or heading from cool climes to warmer weather.

When it comes to plane outfits, the journey is by no means a runway show. But whether you’re jetting off with friends and family, or going on a work assignment, the trip starts as soon as you hit the airport, so wanting to look your best is perfectly understandable. Comfort is key, particularly if you’re getting on a long-haul flight. For short-haul flights, you may be happy with a smart casual outfit, so you’re ready to go when you get there. However, it’s also a good idea to consider the time of landing and weather in your final destination before deciding what to wear on the plane. Your best loungewear might feel cozy on the flight, but if you’re stepping off into the midday sun, you might want to rethink, or have a spare outfit packed in your hand luggage.

What to wear on a plane will very much come down to individual taste, but pulling some simple essentials as a basis could be a good place to start. Dresses in jersey fabric can make great travel partners, but if you’re loyal to your best t-shirt and jeans combination, think about more relaxed leg fits or denim with stretch, so you can feel more at ease on the journey, as there will be a lot of sitting around. Planes can also get quite cold, so don’t be afraid to sharpen up your look with one of your best hoodies or a chic oversized blazer for extra style and warmth. You’ll also want to carefully consider your accessories. With hand luggage at a premium and with shoes needing to be removed for airport security, think about the ergonomics of your outfit. Can your shoes slip on and off easily? Will your bag fit under your seat or in the overhead locker and can you get those essentials in there?

To help you navigate this tricky task, we’ve compiled a useful guide and breakdown of outfit possibilites.

What to wear on a plane according to fashion editors

Whether it’s work or play, what to wear on a plane has no easy answer. There are so many elements of the day to consider, particularly if you’re going on a long-haul or night flight. Whatever you decide on, keep comfort as the focal point, and use the styling tips laid out below as a way to add polish to your finished look.

Consider the time of day and temperature at your final destination and if you’re heading straight to your accommodation or if you’re going directly into a meeting or social setting. Airports generally involve a lot of walking, so make sure you have comfortable flats, as you don’t want to be sprinting for final boarding in heels.

It’s always a good idea to take a decent size hand luggage with spare essentials, such as underwear, and an outfit for the following day, so that if anything happens to your suitcase at the other end, you at least have the necessities. Also navigating what to pack for a beach vacation? If you’re checking into a resort earlier than the arrival time, you might also want to have your best swimsuit in your hand luggage, so you can check your bags at reception and head straight to the pool.

1. Loungewear

Athleisure remains a big spring/summer fashion trend 2023, as designers continue to use sports-luxe as a guiding principle for many key looks. The best leggings, joggers and sweatshirts are all great choices for what to wear on a plane, but to keep the style factor high, opt for coordinating two pieces with more directional cuts. Think wide-leg, soft jersey pants, and matching sweatshirts for an outfit that works for both comfort and design. To keep your hair neat, investigate how to wear headbands and pair your coord with a soft fabric hairband that you can easily remove and fold away into your hand luggage if needed. Slip a lightweight jersey tee into your holdall if heading to hotter climes, as you can easily pop this on at the other end and tie your jumper around your waist.

A styling tip…

If opting for flared or wide-leg trousers, choose a fitted top or sweater to rebalance your silhouette.

2. Blazer

The best blazers offer a sharp and stylish finish to any outfit. A great swap for a coat, as it offers instant polish and a lighter feel. An oversized design will look chic as part of a legging outfit, teamed with jeans or even thrown over a loungewear co-ord for extra polish. An ideal piece when it comes to what to wear on a plane, you can roll your jacket into the overhead locker and use it on cool evenings on the trip itself. If you’re headed out on a business trip, a blazer paired with some of the best skinny jeans is a directional ensemble to make your arrival in too.

A styling tip…

Pair blazers with leggings or use as the answer to how to style jeans for an easy way to achieve a formal look without jeopardizing comfort.

3. Jeans

When it comes to the best jeans to wear on a plane, you want to choose the most comfortable jeans, as there will be a lot of sitting around – particularly if you’re on a long-haul flight. High waists and relaxed leg styles such as a mom jean, or barrel leg design are both stylish and comfortable for plane journeys. Jeans with lots of stretch in them are the top choice for long haul flights and you can even look for draw-cord waisted styles for a more sporty and laidback feel. What you want to avoid is skin tight denim that makes you feel constricted, and remember you’ll be sat on a plane for quite some time, as make sure your waistband won’t dig in.

An ideal look for short-haul city breaks where you’ll want to step off the plane and straight into your adventure.

A styling tip…

Pair jeans with strappy sandals that you can get on and off with ease, to keep your look ready for sunnier climes.

4. Dresses

When it comes to the best dresses, midi and maxi dresses are a stylish and practical choice for what to wear on a plane, particularly if you opt for soft jersey designs or loose-fitting cotton iterations. A chic way to make an impact but stay comfortable, a well-selected dress will also be just right if you’re landing into warmer weather. Easy to layer, you can style a cardigan over the top or a t-shirt underneath for added comfort on your out-going trip and a pretty summer dress can even then be re-worn during the holiday itself, making your suitcase that little bit lighter.

A styling tip…

Pair midi dresses with trainers and maxi dresses with flatform sandals or clog style sandals as these shoes are some of the best flat shoes to wear with dresses and will be easy to remove at airport security.

5. Shoes

When it comes to shoes to wear on a plane there are several factors to consider. Days at an airport can be extremely long, with lots of walking, whether that’s around duty-free, or racing through never-ending corridors to make final boarding, so comfort is of utmost importance. In addition to this, you may need to remove your shoes for airport security, so choosing something with an easy fastening or shoes that slip on and off can save time and energy too. We always recommend opting for flat shoes, unless, you’re like Victoria Beckham in one of the best shoe quotes, and “can’t concentrate in flats”, then we recommend you wear your most comfortable heels.

A styling tip…

Trainers are of course good options, but when selecting your traveling shoes, try to go for a pair that you can wear during the trip too as this saves on luggage. Whether that’s a sneaker for sightseeing or your best sandals for every day, anything to lighten the load is a smart idea.

6. Bags

The best backpacks are an obvious choice for traveling. Offering hands-free capabilities, you’ll still be able to roll your luggage along and have your essentials close at hand. If you prefer however to keep your items where you have eyes on them, crossbody bags and the best totes are strong bag options when it comes to what to wear on a plane. You’ll want to check your individual airline’s policy for carry-on luggage, as some only let you take one piece of hand luggage of a specific size and this needs to be factored into your decision making, sometimes the best weekend bags work as carry-ons too. If you’ve not traveled in some time, you may have forgotten how frequently you need to produce your travel documents, make sure to choose a bag with a zipped compartment that you can easily access to stow them in safely.

A styling tip…

As with shoes, try to choose a bag that can be used during your stay, it might mean that your carry-on luggage is a tote that doubles up as one of the best beach bags, but in the long run it lightens your packing.

Amsterdam has a plan to curb the tourist crowd – it just means a visit there will cost you more than before

The reality of trying to see a sight like the Mona Lisa or the Eiffel Tower is not what you see on an influencer’s Instagram. It’s overcrowded, loud, and you’ll be stuck in line forever. From Barcelona to Venice, places are struggling with overtourism, but there is one particular city having a hard time reigning in the visitors, and it’s going to make you pay big time if you want to go there. Amsterdam is trying to control its visiting population with a hike in its tourism tax in hopes of evening out the numbers for the locals.

The tax it takes to travel

A little travel tip — the tourism tax is already a part of travel no matter where you go, from hotel fares to airline fees. The tourism tax helps the place you visit in several ways, from keeping the buildings and other structures in good condition to protecting the gorgeous environment you want to see.

A few ways the tourism tax is collected

• Departure tax is a thing.

Japan has an actual sayonara tax for everyone that leaves the country.

• Arrival taxes make a little more sense.

Going to New Zealand will cost you around $37 to be allowed to enter.

• Hotel taxes are the most common.

Most places around the world, including the United States, have an additional fee for hotel rooms and other accommodations for tourists.

The city taxing its way to the top

Famous artists (hello, Van Gogh), stunning tulip fields, unique canals, and those gorgeous clogs are all things we love about the Netherlands. The capital of Amsterdam knows it is one of the top cities to visit in the European Union — and wants visitors to pay the price for it.

• Amsterdam’s tourist tax was already the highest, sitting at 7% of the cost of the visitor’s hotel total.
• In 2024, that will jump to an eye-popping 12.5%.
• Day visitors coming off a cruise ship will see their tax increased from $8.50 to $11.60.

Whether you stay in Amsterdam on an incredible cruise ship or in a fabulous hotel, you’re paying the toll. This increase will continue to make it the highest tax in Europe for tourists.

Why Amsterdam is targeting tourists

The tax will do two things, both benefiting Amsterdam.

• The higher fee will deter those who only want to check out the city for partying. Those who want to visit for the culture, food, and history won’t mind the increase. (At least, that’s the theory.)
• The money goes to maintaining and keeping the stunning city, well, stunning, so when the tourists leave, it’s still a beautiful place for the locals to live.

Amsterdam is small, land-wise, and when you add in the over 150 canals and more than 900,000 people living there, it feels cramped. So, when you dump the more than five million people who checked into a hotel in 2022, things are not going to get better.

You know when one of your favorite spots gets blown up on social media, and now everyone visits it, making it overcrowded and taking all the fun away? How awful is that?

Overtourism is killing these cities where people live all of the time, not just during a specific holiday, and they want the burden of being overcrowded eased. Amsterdam is saying pay up or stay out, and we’ll have to see if it helps curb the crowds.

If you have been putting off that solo travel plan, it’s time to go ahead and do it. There are a host of reasons to persuade you to tick off a solo trip from your bucket list.

It’s always good to tag along with your bunch of people while traveling. For ages, we have all glorified luxury breaks and romantic travels. But have you ever thought of solo travel? The idea of being all by yourself in your own company could seem intimidating. However, this time will give you a chance to look within yourself. It will allow you to punch those fears and worries right in their face and give you a chance to step beyond them. It might make you uncomfortable in the beginning, but you will learn to walk sure-footed and own up to all the decision-making. Also, that “me-time” in a paradise alone would bring unfathomable bliss and joy.

Dr Kamna Chhibber, a clinical psychologist, Head of the Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences at Fortis Healthcare helps us understand why you must give solo travel at least one chance.

1. Solo travel can lead to self-discovery

Spending some alone time in an exotic destination is a great way of re-discovering yourself and learning about parts of yourself that were earlier buried or hidden. You can always do some experimentation and find out the things and activities you liked or disliked by indulging in them.

2. It gives a boost of confidence

In the words of Dr Chhibber, “Travelling solo gives you the confidence to be able to do things independently”. There always exists the fear of the unknown for first-timers.

But, when we are aware that we are all on our own in a destination far away from home, we tend to try and make informed decisions. This, in turn, will boost your confidence when it comes to sound decision-making. So, next trip when you again decide to go solo, you really won’t have an eyelid at the thought of being alone in another destination.

3. Travelling solo can enhance problem-solving abilities

To this, Dr Chhibber adds, “Solo travel helps you find your own ways of being able to work through problems and situations that may be seemingly difficult”.

Problems or conundrums are inevitable when we fly off to an altogether unknown place. But as problems and unforeseen situations hit us, we also learn to navigate our way through them to emerge out better and stronger.

4. It’s a chance to trust ourselves

Many of us dwell for years in feelings of self-doubt about our own capabilities. Traveling alone helps us build that trust within ourselves and our skills and abilities. It also aids us in finding out ways to be able to further enhance them. Rather than going nuts all alone on a trip, you’ll learn to trust your intuition and gut feelings.

5. A solo trip will help you build new connections

You will meet new people who might offer you a fresh perspective towards life and help broaden your horizon. This might be your best chance at building connections and gain new and different experiences. Who knows you might get a friend for life. It’s also the best chance for introverts to learn to open up themselves.

New mum on the road? Here’s everything you need to know about flying with children, from air travel comfort to the right kind of packing and safety tips

Travelling with a kid can be intimidating for new mothers. You are constantly concerned that you will forget to pack something. Depending on your child’s mood, the journey can also feel twice as long. But do not fret. Here is a quick guide for mothers travelling with children.

Pack Smart

All mothers of toddlers know how important it is to pack the right things in an organised manner. Packing cubes and Ziploc bags can help you organise clothes and other stuff.

What To Carry

Carry weather-appropriate clothes, such as sun hats in the summer and sweaters and gloves in the winter. Make a checklist of lotions, creams, pain relievers, and ointments you may need. Take along favoured dry snacks, toys and books for distraction and sleep time. Bring your child’s favourite stuffed animals as they might be a comforting element during stressful situations. Check that your hand luggage contains everything you might need, including anything from wet wipes to hand sanitiser to toys and books.

Airplane Travel

When reserving tickets, book seats with extra space on the plane. Take a window seat as during beverage service, aisle seats might be dangerous for kids. You should also try to book off-peak flights. They will be safer because there will be fewer people at the airport. Try and get to the airport much before the time of departure.

For Ear Pressure

When flying, breastfeed your infant throughout takeoff and landing. This will assist to protect your child’s ears from ear ache caused by variations in cabin pressure. Pack hard treats like lollipops for older children. The difference in air pressure as you take off and level out at altitude can be excruciatingly uncomfortable, but it’s extremely difficult for those who aren’t used to it. Sweets can help ears pop and return to normal pressure.

The Right Accommodation

It is advisable to take your children’s requirements in mind while choosing a place to stay. Many places cater to families, offering amenities such as children’s menus. Or you could rent a bed and breakfast, a vacation apartment, or book a homestay.

Plan A Kid-Friendly Itinerary

Study your destination and create a fun itinerary with places, activities and attractions that your children will enjoy. This way, you’ll keep your children happy and entertained. Focus on sustainable travel, supporting local experiences, and ethical encounters. Most places have an excellent repertoire of child-friendly vacation ideas and things to do.

For Safety

Keep a wristband with your phone number on it on your youngster. Nobody wants to think of their child going missing, but if they do, this is a fantastic way for anyone who finds them to contact you.