There is a high someone gets when they know they are about to travel. There is also the stressful anxieties that come with travel. This can cause a traveler to be disorganized and cause a scene everywhere they go throughout their trip. Some women have flown countless times, while others have maybe only have flown once to never. No matter how many times you have traveled, there is a difference between being a classy flyer and a hot mess. Some frequent flyers even still have issues keeping packing simple. Here are some tips on how to be classy and keep it together while traveling:
1. Attire: This is no time for you to wear your matching Juicy jumpsuit or even to wear sweatpants/shirt at all. You want to have a simple elegance about you when you are going through the airport and during your flight. Wear a comfy, oversized t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt. Try to pick a neutral color like black, grey, or white. Even though the shirt might be casual looking, the neutral color will dress it up and make it look more professional. Then, pair it with a cardigan that you can take off if you get to hot or put on if you are cold.
Wear fitted skinny jeans, boot cut jeans, or yoga leggings. If you wear yoga pants or skinny jeans you can dress them up by wearing boots. For any of the three you could also wear dressy flats. It is not suggested to wear dresses, open toed shoes, skirts, or shorts. These clothes have too much exposure and you will wish you wore more clothing when it suddenly becomes negative two degrees midflight. Also, open toed shoes leave you more apt to get your toes stepped on, rolled over with a suitcase, or stabbed by the woman who is courageously wearing heels.
2. Makeup and Hair: Keep your hair down or braided low. The seats are high, and wearing a ponytail or bun can be uncomfortable when your head rests on the seat. Your makeup should be simple. Just light cover up or bronzer, with blush and mascara. You might fall asleep, maybe even drool on yourself, (guilty) and you don’t want to smudge anything. You will always have at least 15 minutes before your bags are actually at the carousel to stop and fix your makeup when you land at your destination. No one likes the groggy feeling you get when getting off the plane, and trust me, you will end up fixing, redoing, or adding more makeup when you land. Just keep it SIMPLE.
3. Luggage: Less is better. If you can have one main bag to check, one larger carry on, and a purse, you will be in good shape. This will be easier for you to carry and easier on your back. Tip: Use a purse that will fold up and go into your other carry-on, this will give you more free hand space.
4. Etiquette: Don’t forget your P’s & Q’s! You will most likely bump into someone carrying all of those bags, so don’t forget how be polite and humane. Always be kind to the people who work at the airport (security and check-in desk), the food stations, and the flight crew. You will be amazed at how far being considerate will take you. Just take your time when you are in a rush and don’t show how frantic you are…no one else in the airport really cares. They see this every day and assume you were late getting there (even if it was the connecting flight there late). Just being kind and asking how someone is and smiling has gotten me upgraded, free food, and priority boarding many times. Never ask for it, but you will get these opportunities sooner or later.
5. Extras: Use bags or purses with lots of pockets. Don’t bring your Louis Vuitton tote bag that is one giant gaping hole holding your passport “somewhere.” Have your luggage organized and get a ticket/passport/credit card travelers wallet. Also, know what the limits are for bags (weight, prices, and number), liquid size limit, terminal number, and where to park/how to get to the airport the day before you leave. This will assure smooth traveling at each check point in your trip.
Being a classy traveler is all about being organized, polite, and punctual. No one wants to help the girl who woke up thirty minutes ago, smells like stale vodka, and trying to make her flight that leaves in five minutes. Be prepared ahead of time and dress to par. Now buckle up, relax, and enjoy the flight.