1 May 2008
What not to wear on a plane
Posted by Debo Hobo under: Fashion; Travel-General .
Normally when I travel, I like to dress nicely even though I more than likely won’t see these fellow travelers again in my life I still like to leave a good impression. I definitely don’t want to draw attention to myself and have passengers and crew thinking they are flying with a screwball or flight risk. So I don a seasonably appropriate out fit, a sundress in the summer with a sweater and sensible sandals or a nice casual pant suit with equally comfortable shoes in the cooler seasons.
But I have noticed of late; in the last decade or so, that travel attire has become more relaxed perhaps a bit too relaxed. I’ve seen ladies board the plane with rollers still in, I seen men board with warm-up suits that look like they just came out of the gym.
On the flip side we have airlines that are monitoring and refusing some passengers boarding privileges based on the way they are dressed. The opinions are mixed as to whether it is the airlines responsibility or right to take such action. What are your thoughts on that?
I found this article by Christopher Elliot to be of great interest. Here is an excerpt:
Before the airline industry was tragically deregulated, everyone knew what to wear on a plane. People dressed in their Sunday best. Coats and ties for the men. Modest dresses for the women. And kids, who were seen but not heard, were dressed like porcelain dolls.
Now anything goes.
Oh, where is Mr. Blackwell when we need him? Here, in the meantime, are five tips on what you shouldn’t wear on a plane:
Think comfortable and elegant. You want something relaxed and natural that you could spend a few hours or days in without losing the circulation to your limbs. At the same time, you want to look as if you belong in first class. Because crewmembers do judge their passengers by the way they dress — just ask Ebbert and the other young women who were shown the door on their flights — and a blazer or a nice dress can mean the difference between a pleasant flight and no flight at all.
What is your preferred attire when traveling? What would your reaction be if you were told you could not board due to your choice of outfit? I am curious to know either leave a comment below or better yet leave me a voice comment.
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I know the way you dress makes a big statement about yourself and your personality. So it’s always better to dress appropriately for any occassion.
Myself I prefer simple, smart and casual. Something comfortable and appropriate for the occassion.
I haven’t seen too many oddly dressed characters on airplanes, and I have been flying quite a bit (for me anyway) recently. I would be more concerned if the flight crew showed up looking really unkempt- then the passengers.
Anyway if we all flew naked- it would be obvious who the terrorists were…
Your voice commenting system intimidates me.
Normally, casual wear - long jeans, shirt and shoes.
However, if going to a beach or any province aboard a plane slippers, short and a shirt will do.
Eric-It sounds like you dress sensibly. I like to dress for the occasion on the other end as well, so I agree if you are going to the beach dress for it.
I always, always, always go with something that I can move around in but which covers all my limbs adequately. Jeans are sometimes de riguer but not usually. I prefer a long comfortable dress, but the only ones I have are tank-sleved so they don’t work. Yoga pants are most comfortable.
Of course, this is on flights for more than 5 hours. If it’s less then jeans and a t-shirt. Even if I’m flying on business. The seats are so small I always spill something so I don’t want to be very dressed up.
Whenever I fly I’m usually the odd man out. I’ll board a flight filled with business travelers in their suits and I’m just getting back from a tropical vacation in a t-shirt and shorts.
Oh that is most unfortunate-for them, lucky you though, flyin’ all comfy:)