How do you dress for an airplane flight?
Will Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s comment on the matter change how you dress for an airplane flight?
Will it make any difference generally?
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In comfortable clothing, but it is clean and usually in layers. Almost always with sneakers. Usually leggings and a long sleeved t-shirt with a sweatshirt or jacket.
I worked with a guy years ago whose daughter and SIL worked for American Airlines and he always dressed up hoping to get bumped to first class, back when they did that for parents. I’m not sure they do that anymore, but your chances of getting bumped are practically nil now. Now, I’m prepared to wear every item in my suitcase rather than pay to check a suitcase or pay for overweight luggage. Yes, looking at you Frontier.
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I don’t fly a lot but last summer I flew to Albany with a change in Chicago and I wore black wide leg yoga pants with a black and white tee and an orchid linen jacket. And black Skechers slip-on flats. I was very comfortable and probably looked okay.
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To answer the first question, no Sean Duffy’s clothing comments are meaningless. I do fly a lot and IMO if the airlines didn’t cram customers in like sardines, there might be some less heated exchange between folks. And long gone are the days when sometimes dressing nicely got a customer at the counter upgraded.
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I can’t imagine they do a single person.
What I wear ?
If I’m on personal, it’s shorts or jeans and a T, weather depending. If cold, I carry a fleece. I don’t wear sweats but if I did, I’d wear instead.
For work, I’m an T shirt and slacks. Looks like a dork. Also sneakers for comfy walking.
I land, go to lunch solo, then swap on my polo and work shoes. This way, if I spill on my shirt, no harm, no foul.
Mr. Duffy should worry about air traffic control shortages and tired workers and not about clothing.
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Exactly. Another diversion to the real airline/flight issues.
What do I wear? Whatever is appropriate for me and where I’m landing and NOT him.
Comfortable, clean, a layer I can remove if too warm, athletic shoes.
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I grew up flying stand by and we always had to dress up. It’s taken me a while to shift to being more comfortable but honestly I wear what’s bulkiest so I don’t need to check a bag. I have a super soft comfy stretchy pair of jeans that I call my flying jeans, and I also layer as I’m usually freezing on a plane. If we are going on vacation, I’ll be wearing my hiking boots as footwear otherwise it’s sneakers.
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Layers…because they are trying to freeze you to death on most airplanes. We are taking an 18 hour plane trip in December. I’m wearing LLBean comfortable black knit pants (which will hide my multicolored compression socks), a long sleeve cotton shirt, a nice fleece jacket, and a pashmina scarf. I’ll have a compression down jacket in my carryon in case it gets chilly…and I can use it as an extra cushion also. And I’ll wear black sneakers (walking in airports is easier).
I’m getting a pair of bomba knit gripper slippers for Christmas to wear on the plane.
I remember when I first flew in the 60’s…it was a dress up occasion. Best shoes, a dress, etc. But then, girls didn’t wear slacks in public at all back then!
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Lately it’s been comfortable wide leg athletic pants and usually a t-shirt and a jacket or a sweater and sneakers. I want to be as comfortable as I can in those uncomfortable seats.
I only fly 2-3 times a year, but I have seen some head-turning outfits. I can’t imagine why anyone would wear shorts that are so short, that most of their bare legs are sitting on the seat - keeping in mind the thousands of rear-ends that have been sitting in that seat. I’ve also had the pleasure of sitting next to men wearing shorts who then “man spread” so their bare, hairy leg is essentially touching my leg for the duration of the flight (not a fan, even though my leg is covered). I also recently saw a man (I don’t mean to pick on men - sorry) wearing one of those really loose hanging muscle T’s where he might as well have been shirtless. Luckily he wasn’t my seatmate.
The entire air travel experience has long since lost its glory and prestige (unless you can afford a suite on Emirates). Now it’s really just the fastest and sometimes the only way to get from A-B. Every time I fly, I set my expectations as low as possible and consider it a win if I arrive to my destination in one piece and see my suitcase on the conveyor in baggage claim.
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Some first class or business class international flights give passengers pajamas or pajama-like leisure wear to sleep in. If it’s good enough for Jenifer Aniston it’s good enough for me 
What I wear personally depends how long the flight is and the temperature at origin and destination. Could be anything from a dress to layered clothes comfortable enough to sleep in. (I usually wear athletic pants of some sort, t shirt and either track top or cardigan).
I do agree that people shouid not be barefoot with their feet up on the seats though. Ugh. And I have occasionally seen people go into a plane restroom barefoot… just, eugh. by all means take your shoes off, but wear socks, keep them in your space, and put your shoes on before you leave your space.
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My main criteria - elastic waistband pants. Easy to use in the restrooms. Fortunately, that’s most of my wardrobe. All of my shoes are relatively comfortable as well.
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I think people have stinky feet and stinky shoes - leave them on please!!!
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I generally wear golf pants to travel – they are comfortable, have a lot of stretch, an elastic waistband, and look neat. Typically pair with a long or short sleeve shirt, sweater, and sneakers.
There’s a reason airplane amenity kits include socks. If I’m flying 10+ hours overnight, sorry I’m not keeping my shoes on.
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I’m sure your shoes don’t stink but some men’s sweaty athletic shoe smell can stick in the cabin for hours. I guess I should just say be self aware of your own aroma?
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Just my everyday clothes. I get chilly easy so no shorts and I’ll usually have a jacket or sweater. The one special thing I wear for flying is compression socks. I find my legs ache if I don’t.
And heck no I’m not taking unsolicited advice from that man or any other man about what to wear.
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I typically wear comfortable but nice black knit pants ( a pair from. AYR is my go to) with a long or short sleeve top and layer a sweater, or soft knit hoodie over that. It’s comfortable but put together. My feet are in my nicer leather sneakers or comfy boots depending on where I am going. I carry a small carry on and check my larger bag.
I could not care less what the administration tells me to wear.
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I travel almost every week for work. People dress the same on the plane as they do walking down the street or at Starbucks.
Some are professional, some very casual, some in between. I dress very casual. Shorts (summer)/fleece (winter) with zippered pockets. I find zipper pockets extremely useful for my cell phone, wallet, airpods, etc.
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Keep in mind that while you may choose to wear lots of layers cause you run cold or big hiking boots so you don’t need to pack them…others may be wearing their shorts or sandals or whatever because that is there comfort level or what takes their anxiety about flying. I am someone whose mood and control is affected by what I wear.
Once I was seated next to a young man who was dressed sort of shabby and walked on only with like a flimsy grocery store plastic bag tied in a knot at his feet. I felt a little nervous at first - but who knows his story and if he scraped up cash for whatever trip this was? He was totally polite and quiet in the flight. We all judge but we need to sometimes just worry about our own house to speak.
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Honestly I don’t care at all what people are wearing. Politicians need to stay in their lane. They have enough to worry about without trying to dictate attire.
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