Prior to entering the working world, it did seem like I did an awful lot to-ing and fro-ing between London and Hong Kong and as I trawled through the Style Bubble archives, I’m surprised I haven’t written about the joys/miseries of travel attire. I wonder if it’s because of the practical dreariness of dressing for a flight that has made me shirk away from the subject. However on the eve of a long haul flight (thankfully not a 12 hour one….), I thought I’d share the mundaneness of flying. I can’t hide the truth. It’s a horrendous sight. It’s not pretty. It’s not interesting.
But it is comfortable, practical and suitably scruffy. I’ve seen girls struggle with tight jeans onboard, unbuttoning them to get some relief. I’ve seen people go through the metal detectors laden with belts, chains and all sorts of stuff that sets the beeping machine going mad. I’ve seen women take off their stiletto heels once they realise they have to walk down all the way to gate 55 when boarding. I’ve also seen people dressing in full anticipation of hot hot heat at their destination but not realising that the flight on the way could be a fridge-like temperature depending on whether the plane decides to act up with the a/c.
Seeing as I’m not a trackie/sweatpants kinda gal, it’s jersey jersey time for me. Washed to perfection baggy stripy t-shirt, a grey Grecian jersey top that I heavily abuse for flights and what I have deemed my new travelling skirt – a draped bit of loveliness from Pepa Delight that has pockets for me to shove my hands in and a shape that is ultra fluid. I do like sleeping on planes with a hat on because it can be useful if the seat is a little on the hard side. The puffa jacket is for the freezing weather at the moment early in the morning when I leave for Heathrow and also for emergency warmth if said a/c goes berserk but lightweight enough not for it to be a drag when I’m at the airport. The cardigan is an essential for cosy sleeptime and the footless knitted tights are good for leaving the feet free for putting on those inflight socks which I weirdly like.
I really have no qualms about walking around like a hobo with a zombie look in my eyes and yes, I’m aware that when I’m sleepily browsing at World Duty Free in T3, people may think I’m going to shoplift a Mac lipstick or two but I’m not giving up my tried-and-tested flight formula.
I think you’re pretty snazzy, actually.
Oh my god, your scruffy flight outfit is nicer that my normal trying hard look. I weep.
I love the outfit, it has that overall cosy, snuggly effect, you know, the way I always plan to feel on a long haul flight – but never quite manage too.
I currently looking for a cute jacket for and I really love your puffa,could you let me know where it’s from and if it’s an old or recent buy?
I really like those special flight socks too! I always make my boyfriend save his for me (he travels a lot for work).
That looks like a very comfortable flying outfit. I have never understood why people doll themselves up to then sit on a plane for 10 hours…
Wow, I love it. Your idea of scruff is a pretty amazing outfit in my eyes. I covet every item!…though I do think it’s missing something – this perhaps? >> Pillowig
Do Pepa Delight have an outlet in the UK yet? Annoying that they are London based but do not sell here.
Now please do tell me where you got that puffa jacket from – I have been looking for a coat with a huge hugging collar like this for ages. It’s like a duvet for the road.
Of course the link didn’t work, here it is…Pillowig >>
http://itp.nyu.edu/~jyp243/jy/pillow.htm
The coat is from this shop in Etienne Marcel, Paris (forgotten the name) that I bought for like 89 euros a year ago…. it might still be there…. but I do love the shape of it…it’s got this HUGE collar that I like to pull up in
Natmonster: What is a pillowig… oh dear…
Apparently Pepa Delight could be selling at the b Store soon… not confirmed yet though!
Ah I see it! Gosh… is it weird that I want one?
The Pillowig reminds me of the little guy from Katamari Damacy (best game ever!)
Have a great trip!
you look amazing… man, when i fly, it’s just jeans, a tee and a sweater coat, oh and flip flops, and a pony tail.
you are so fab.
: )
I admire you, we can feel you have experience. Great skirt!
You look lovely! I’m flying in a couple of weeks and I didn’t even think about what to wear on the flight (je suis inexperienced), so you’ve given me food for thought.. Stretchy waistbands all the way! Have fun in miami xx
eggh sometimes tights aren’t enough for warmth on flights! the blasted A/C… I like your hat though, and the jersey layering. also you should try the creams and stuff that Cathay Pacific gives you for moisturizing your face, they really REALLY help in making you comfortable and keeping your skin refreshed, relaxed and elastic. and honestly without a nice epidermal palette how are people even going to appreciate your clothes? 🙂
you have exactly the same mindset to me when it comes to travelling – it’s all about comfort, being able to curl up into a ball and wearing the aeroplane socks!
I like your scruffiness. I generally go for jersey too , but I dont have such beautiful pieces. I usually add at least 2 dirty inflight blankets to the outfit too. .(oh the joys of static brown tartan.. )
I think you’re onto something…. 😉
xo
woah, stylish and comfortable. I need to bin the sweatpants and take a few tips from you next time I travel
oh, i think it’s a great outfit, and really practical!
nice and warm 🙂
x
People actually wear stilettos to the airport? Mad…
You look great, though- and if that look is what you calling a slob, I shudder to think of what my look on an average day might seem 🙂
i also take it very seriously with my traveling outfits. On the one side it has to be comfortable and versatile, on the other the pieces must be versatile in themselves, because i mainly travel to go shopping and therefore have the minimum of clothes with me, of which most of them i prefer to wear. http://bp0.blogger.com/_jT2NELMb3yo/RtnHX9B6_rI/AAAAAAAAEIs/pNjSimuoX8s/s1600-h/Bild+021-1.jpg
cute! and i would agree that jersey does amazing things for long haul flights.
i’ve got a 26 (!! and thats not including a 3 hour stopover in Dubai) hour flight coming up next month (from australia to new york…OMG…) and if i could both look like how you do, and feel comfortable, i would be a happy pumpkin indeed.
When I was living in Ghana on my Gap year we were all obsessed with creating ‘airport impact’ when we arrived back home. Lots of people had there hair put in braids and sported animal-print trousers just to shock their parents when they arrived at Heathrow. A guy I knew flew back for Christmas and had his luggage go missing. Due to some confusion, his parents weren’t at the airport to meet him and he ended up wondering around London, on Christmas Day wearing shorts and a batik-print shirt, carrying a drum (his only hand luggage)!
Many experienced travelers would actually be given voluntarily, the thrust from the flight and take a later flight the same hour flight destination for a target in the vicinity.