As a St Andrean, I know I’m just one of many preparing to board a flight next week for a reading week trip. If you’re new to St Andrews, or new to the art of cheap university traveling, you might be wondering, What should be my plane outfit?
Fear not! As an experienced traveler, here are my top tips for planning your plane outfits, factoring in every detail of your flights.
Rules of Thumb
First and foremost, the length and type of flight you’re getting on will determine the very basic plane outfit to don.
If you’re getting on a three-hour flight or less, or if the flight is on an airline that makes you pay for extra baggage (Ryanair, I see you!), you should be wearing a full, fashionable, regular outfit. One that you’re likely going to be wearing on the actual trip. If you have bulky shoes you want to bring, wear those too!
I always follow this rule for plane outfits because it saves so much space in my luggage. When I travel, I’m often gone for the full week, which means I need to fit a week’s worth of clothes into a carry-on. Wearing one of my planned outfits on the flight gives me the added bonus of being stylishly dressed as soon as I land, so I can take pictures and explore from the get-go.
If you’re getting on a flight that’s four hours or longer, a transoceanic flight, or one where you can afford a checked bag (AKA, it’s free with your ticket), it’s time to break out your most comfortable outfit. Sweatpants, UGGs, you name it, incorporate it in your plane outfit!
This rule is a no-brainer; you don’t want to be stuck in a long flight in anything uncomfortable or in an outfit that you don’t want to get sweaty or accidentally dirty.
Details
Now that you have the basic guidelines, it’s time for the style breakdown.
For your shorter flight, it’s all about wearing your bulkiest style items. Make your plane outfit out of all the big pieces that wouldn’t fit in your suitcase, even after sitting on it (I know I’ve been there).
Typically, for my plane outfit, I wear a pair of baggier black jeans, knowing they won’t get dirty, along with the lightest shirt I’m packing. If I’m bringing a t-shirt, I wear it. This is because I find planes can get really warm, and running around an airport really works up a sweat. If you’re planning to wear this outfit again, you don’t want it to have an odor, especially if you’re going to stay in hostels or hotels without laundry (this is why a good-smelling deodorant is a quintessential travel accessory!) If I’m bringing them, I’ll also wear my favourite heavy, leather boots or my chunky outer layers, like winter jackets. Your plane outfit will depend on your everyday style and favourite accessories, so don’t be afraid to turn the runway into your runway!
When it comes to your longer flights, the key is to wear stretchy and comfortable clothing. Keep this plane outfit simple because on these bigger trips, you’ve got a lot of things to think about; don’t let this outfit become one of them!
On a transatlantic flight, my plane outfit consists of my favourite grey sweatpants, a regular t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. I’ve found that layering is really essential for long flights since it can go from cold to burning hot in a matter of minutes. I usually wear whatever sneakers I like, but most importantly, I always wear compression socks! Medical professionals have noted benefits from wearing compression socks in the air, ranging from personal comfort to preventing blood clots. Personally, I also find they keep my legs from falling asleep, which saves me a lot of discomfort and pain. You can find some on Amazon for less than £16.
Accessories
Every outfit, even plane outfits, need accessories. For flights, you should have functional and cute accessories. When you’re preparing for long flights, consider getting a small travel neck pillow. A good neck pillow will save you lots of neck pain and help you sleep no matter how many miles you are in the sky. For shorter flights, don’t overcomplicate it. Some cute luggage tags for your bags are the best accessory because they’re generally cheap, attractive, and useful. Luggage tags are necessary even for carry-ons, so there can be no confusion about whose bag belongs to whom.
Whether you’re flying an hour to Bergen or four hours to Marrakesh, keep these tips in the back of your mind while you’re packing for your reading week adventures!