Long flight

[camreesmom]

DH and I travel pretty regularly but this trip will be the first long flight that we're taking. 10 hours to Hawaii. We're supposed to get a cold front come in this weekend so it will be in the 50's and 60's when we leave Texas. I want to be comfortable on the flight but not look like a homeless person when we land. Any suggestions on where to get clothes that will be comfortable for a long flight but won't look like I'm a person who wears their pajamas to Walmart?

 

[sonnyjane]

First of all, I am ALWAYS cold on planes, so even if I'm going somewhere warm, I'll still wear a long-sleeve shirt or wear a t-shirt with a zip-up sweatshirt over it, then I can ditch the sweatshirt in my bag when I land. I usually wear superstretch jeans or black leggings. For a long flight, I'd be in LEGGINGS haha! I believe they call it "athleisure" wear. That's what I wear on flights.

 

[Marchand63]

Leggings with nice shoes & a sweater with nice T or blouse underneath. That way you can remove the "colder" clothes if you warm up onboard. Try Fabletics they have some great looking & comfy things.

 

[monsterkitty]

Athleta Metro Collection. The black pants look like dress pants but they're not - they're basically sweat pants. I always wear them on flights because they're warm and comfortable. Or, you can change at the airport right before your flight into comfortable shorts (I would get the Athleta Metro shorts).

Athleta.com or if you have a store near you. They will also shorten pants for free and then send them too you!

 

[amberpi]

I do jeggings these days, a tshirt and a nice blazer. I used to dress up much more.

 

[bcla]

Well - just as an aside I've heard some recommendations by the extremely paranoid to not wear full synthetics on a plane. Something about the risk in the rare case of a fire. I've heard about people who were wearing polyester or nylon trying to escape a fire, and the clothing just melted and stuck to the skin. While the US military has gone to more synthetics for their performance characteristics, I've heard that they still use 50/50 cotton/poly blends because it handles fire risk better.

 

[rlk]

Athleta Metro Collection. The black pants look like dress pants but they're not - they're basically sweat pants. I always wear them on flights because they're warm and comfortable. Or, you can change at the airport right before your flight into comfortable shorts (I would get the Athleta Metro shorts).

Athleta.com or if you have a store near you. They will also shorten pants for free and then send them too you!

I have several pairs of Athleta travel pants. They are great for travel; light weight, easy to pack, wrinkle free, versatile and comfortable. While I over packed (can't stop myself) for our Baltic cruise this past August, I wore only the Athleta pants.

 

[Domo]

Comfortable, loose shoes. I believe I am right in saying that your feet will slightly expand during the flight, making tight shoes uncomfortable. Worse is removing them, as you have to squeeze back into them at the end of the flight. Therefore lace up shoes or other such loose shoes are a must.

 

[ronandannette]

First of all, I am ALWAYS cold on planes, so even if I'm going somewhere warm, I'll still wear a long-sleeve shirt or wear a t-shirt with a zip-up sweatshirt over it, then I can ditch the sweatshirt in my bag when I land. I usually wear superstretch jeans or black leggings. For a long flight, I'd be in LEGGINGS haha! I believe they call it "athleisure" wear. That's what I wear on flights.

Leggings or yoga pants for sure. Nothing stiff or "bindy" that will prevent you from squirming around in your seat. 10 hours in coach is a really, really long time {{shudder}}.

Comfortable, loose shoes. I believe I am right in saying that your feet will slightly expand during the flight, making tight shoes uncomfortable. Worse is removing them, as you have to squeeze back into them at the end of the flight. Therefore lace up shoes or other such loose shoes are a must.

Definitely agree with this part - and make sure they're something you can slip on and off without having to use your hands. I disagree with the "lace-up" recommendation for this reason. OP, deep-vein thrombosis is a real thing. It happened to me on the way home from Hawaii after I fell asleep in a weird position and cut off circulation to one leg. Make sure you get up and walk as much as possible and frequently flex your feet and ankles and wiggle your toes plenty in between.

 

[soccerdad72]

Well - just as an aside I've heard some recommendations by the extremely paranoid to not wear full synthetics on a plane. Something about the risk in the rare case of a fire. I've heard about people who were wearing polyester or nylon trying to escape a fire, and the clothing just melted and stuck to the skin. While the US military has gone to more synthetics for their performance characteristics, I've heard that they still use 50/50 cotton/poly blends because it handles fire risk better.

Well, that was random and completely unhelpful - about what I would have expected.

 

[bcla]

Well, that was random and completely unhelpful - about what I would have expected.

I've seen it specifically mentioned by several travel writers and private/government air safety experts. I saw it mentioned in one version of the "Worst-Case Scenario Handbook". Natural fabrics are the safest in case of a fire emergency because they won't shrink or melt, and don't catch on fire as easily. Take it as random or unhelpful as you want, but this is a fairly common recommendation. Others are don't wear clothes that are too tight (can cause thrombosis), bare too much skin because the fabric can protect, and wear comfortable shoes but not sandals.

 

[sonnyjane]

Well, that was random and completely unhelpful - about what I would have expected.

You took the words right out of my mouth lol. If my plane is on fire over the ocean on the way to Hawaii, the flammability of my clothing is going to be a secondary concern. Heck, I'd be more apt to dress for comfort on the life raft!

 

[tvguy]

My Doctor strongly recommended compression stockings for longer flights. Never had an issue that I thought would make them necessary, but my legs did feel good with them on, and when I took them off.

 

[mmouse37]

I agree with compression socks. Just recently started wearing them on all flights and they really helped my legs feel better on a long 9 hour flight.

MJ

 

[monsterkitty]

I have several pairs of Athleta travel pants. They are great for travel; light weight, easy to pack, wrinkle free, versatile and comfortable. While I over packed (can't stop myself) for our Baltic cruise this past August, I wore only the Athleta pants.

I wear them to school and our picky "you must dress like a professional" principal has said nothing to me because he cant tell they aren't dress pants. Trust me, if he could tell they weren't dress pants he would say something!

I also wear compression socks or compression calf sleeves on the long flights.

 

[bcla]

My Doctor strongly recommended compression stockings for longer flights. Never had an issue that I thought would make them necessary, but my legs did feel good with them on, and when I took them off.

Those need to be specialty stockings, right? Isn't the point to keep blood flowing in the legs, but restrict flow at the ankles?

 

[tvguy]

Those need to be specialty stockings, right? Isn't the point to keep blood flowing in the legs, but restrict flow at the ankles?

Yes

 

[bcla]

Yes

OK. Some people might think that means tight athletic leggings/tights instead of medical devices. However, I've heard that anything that completely restricts the legs can increase the chance of blood clots.

 

[BLAZEY]

I agree with compression socks. Just recently started wearing them on all flights and they really helped my legs feel better on a long 9 hour flight.

MJ

Be sure to get up and walk the aisle as well sitting for that length of time isn't good especially if you have circulation issues.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I never sleep in what I wear to the airport. I bring a super comfy t-shirt and some sleeping shorts, change into them, and then go to sleep. I could give a damn what people think of my attire.