Just because you’re on a plane and out of the board room, it doesn’t mean that your sartorial standards should slip: there is no reason why you can’t maintain a degree of suavity, no reason why you can’t travel in style. As designer Pierre Cardin once said “I can go all over the world with just three outfits: a blue blazer and gray flannel pants, a gray flannel suit, and black tie.”
Keep things simple, classic and comfortable – if you’re in skinny jeans for 10 hours then however stylish you think you might look, the discomfort will soon show through. At the other end of the scale, elasticated waistbands are out, they should be confined to the gym or when you’re having a self-indulgent duvet day.
Stay away from the lure of ‘iron-free’ shirts, yes they may seem practical, but more often than not, these can be made from synthetic materials which aren’t the most breathable – add in a cramped long haul flight and, well, you may not exactly smell fresh towards the end of your journey. Instead, opt for a 100% cotton shirt – yes they might be a little heavier, but the natural material wicks away sweat, lets your skin breathe and won’t crease as easily as you think.
When it comes to layers, then banish the hoodies and don’t even think about some sort of blanket-come-top monstrosity (slanket anybody?), rather – choose a fabric like cashmere. As well as being light and warm it also stays relatively crease free. If you’re going for jeans then you can use a cashmere jumper to dress them up and if you’re wearing a suit then it will tone it down. And talking about suits, there’s nothing to say you can’t wear a suit on a flight, in the 1950s (aka the Golden Age of Travel) it was the done thing. Find a good suit that’s well cut and tailored, and not only will you look sharp but it won’t be awkward to wear on the plane.
Pay attention to luggage too, would George Clooney or Bradley Cooper leave an airport carrying a fraying satchel? No, so ditch the cheap wheely suitcase , ditch the university rugby kit bag and invest in proper luggage, such as a dark coloured classic holdall from Mulberry or Brics – see them as investments. If you’re travelling light and can pull off a rucksack from the likes of Herschel, then do so – you don’t want to be towing around a load of empty space.
If nothing else, airlines are more likely to offer upgrades to better-dressed passengers, so you can thank us when you’re sipping champagne from your lie-flat bed in first class.