How to Dress For Short-, Mid- & Long-Haul Flights
Getting flight dressing right is a fine art. Go too smart when you're up in the air for four hours or more and you'll regret the decision the moment you find your seat; too comfortable for anything short of two hours and you run the risk of looking lazy. With everything from the departure lounge to flight time and onward journey to consider, fewer occasions require such carefully thought out outfits.
With fashion and function on the agenda, there are many ways to get from A to B in style and comfort. Below, we've compiled some outfit inspiration for three different journey durations, factoring in everything from your comfort to temperature regulation (thinking in layers is key for when the overhead air con is playing up pre-departure).
Scroll on to check flight-ready fits.
Less Than Two Hours
For that hop-on-the-plane for a business meeting, back the same day, kind of trip, going full-on comfortable is an unnecessary indulgence. Here, the key is to look both presentable and casual, sticking to a fit that'll keep you cool and therefore unflustered when you step out of the jet in your destination. A comfortable pair of runners from a trusted brand like Salomon will make that dash from the terminal to the taxi a swift one.
Two to Four Hours
Anything upward of two hours and some negligence to your own definition of smartness is understandable in our eyes, though we'd advise steering clear of full cozy submission just yet. A light jacket will provide your layer of comfort when the temperature drops half an hour into your journey time, and your legs will thank you for choosing cotton pants over jeans.
Long-Haul
A fit you'll feel comfortable in on a flight across continents is, in our eyes, a matter of human rights. That said, you never know what kind of fashion snob is lurking up in business class, so looking good should not be sacrificed either. What's required here is quality material that also ensures a soft touch — which is exactly what a good tee from somewhere like COS will do, as will more pricey cashmere. In the footwear department, we've gone for something easy-on and -off.
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