First Class Attire
 

I have been reading over some forums about how to dress "properly" in Europe. I wanted to know if anyone, in particular MadameX, could give any tips as to how to dress for Domestic US first class travel. Are shorts okay? :)

I'm not Madame X, more's the pity, but I've seen shorts in 1st cl. in the US -- have seen everything, pretty much. Most who travel in 1st are business travelers, so they are usually in "power casual" -- not nec. suits and ties or power-suits for women, can be good quality sportswear. However, you would never, ever be denied boarding for breaking a dress code; and as I've said, I've seen shorts, torn jeans, everything. Footwear can be oxfords or sandals or slip-ons, etc. -- recommend slip-ons to get through security quickly. Forget flip-flops -- they're dangerous in quick-exit situations.

Do keep in mind, however, that sometimes it gets downright chilly at cruising altitude, esp. if the AC vents are at ankle-level.

I'm of the school that thinks that shorts and T-shirts are appropriate at the beach and when mowing the lawn. Just because you can wear something doesn't mean you should. I also don't think that your clothes should change depending on whether you are in first or economy.

As a man you should wear clean, non-wrinkled comfortable pants without holes in them. Your shirts should have, at the least, short sleeves. Cassandra is right: you'll be more comfortable in long sleeves.

As a whole, Europeans don't wear shorts, so the added benefit is that you can wear these outfits in Europe without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Domestic first class isn't what it used to be. some of the FC sections are only 2 rows at the front of the plane.

Neat, clean shorts or jeans is not a problem

Thank you

Hooray sunshine007. I'm starting to think like my parents :-o
Since I began traveling I've watched people go from business suites to sorts, tank tops and flip flops. When I look around at airports it seems like it could be a Greyhound terminal (no offese meant for bus travelers. I'm a firm believer in "appropriate attire" but still want to be comfortable for long flights. I always feel something as simple as a pair of kachis (sp?) and a polo shirt for men or women works great for most all occassions and is comfortable. There's nothing worse (for me) than getting seated between two partially clad (think tank tops) people who have just run through a terminal to get to the gate on time.
My other thought it that if you have flight/reservation problems, people who are well put together and have reasonable attitude seem to get taken care of better/quicker.
Did I just go off on a tangent? Sorry, I just never understood the need to dress down just because you're traveling.

There were times when people in warm-up suits were denied boarding; so I don't think it's quite accurate to say this will never happen.

I just wish people would cover their belly. I really don't want to look at that lower back tatoo or belly button piercing.

People should wear the clothes that take up the most room in the suitcase--usually jeans and shoes. Also, consider that if the plane is too cold, you don't want to start the holiday with a cold.

123go's message in which he questioned his own spelling of khaki reminded me of something ....

Several months ago, for some reason, I started reading an obituary in the Boston Globe for a beloved teacher at an expensive New England prep school. The long obit mentioned that he was fond of wearing tweed sportcoats and tacky pants.
I envisoned loud plaids and flowers and thought he was aiming at being a beloved eccentric. A few days later came a correction: He was fond of khaki pants.
So much for dignity in your obit.

Loved the typo khaki's story.

Here's the absolute in being inappropriately dressed -- a woman ran the bulls in Pamplona with flip flops on.

Perhaps she was planning on flipping and flopping.

"a woman ran the bulls in Pamplona with flip flops on" -- just how many of those bulls with flip-flops on were there????!!!!

;-)

Cassandra, I read your comment & at first thought that my mother was rolling over in her grave & that I had made a grammatical mistake. But on further reflection I decided that "running the bulls" is a term of art, therefore, the "with flip flops on" was properly describing the person who was "running the bulls."

What say you?

You see everything, in a sartorial sense, in first class now that it is merely an upgrade from coach. Few people sitting in the first cabin are actually first class travelers.

That's probably true for domestic....but for international first ...many do pay.

Not sure that it true domestically,not for AA at least.Since they introduced the "reduced" First Class fare, it has gone over very well.In fact,according to several friends who work in AA res, a little too well.Many travellers who would normally upgrade with their elite status have now gone to purchasing the reduced FC fares to make sure they get a FC seat.It has frustrated a lot of Platinums and probably driven off some Golds, as these guys have great difficulty in getting their upgrades anymore.I hear my TA telling customers on AA: if you want a FC seat, buy it!And a lot of them do.

You can wear anything that you want - as long at it doesn;t constitute indecent behavior (although I've seen some things in public that come pretty close - shorts are supposed to cover the ENTIRE bottom.)

But - if you had ever had to evacuate a plane - and seen what happens to the skin of someone with bare legs or no shoes (from shorts, skirt or flip flops) skidding down that slide - you would know why it's not really a good idea.

Based on what I saw on my last first class flight - and it was at 8 AM - was the only requirement of half the passengers was to wear a shirt with sleeves loose enough to easily signal the flight attendant for more free alcohol.

ROTFL, Gail!! Couldn't agree more, on ALL fare classes.

Each airline has a different dress code. If you want to be upgraded on American the following are frowned upon: jeans, denim, any athletic attire, bare midriffs, shorts, and sneakers. Shirts should have collars. "Business casual" is expected for an upgrade.

nytraveler -- I am sure that when I am next in the situation of having to evacuate via the slide, the main thing on my mind is going to be "Wow, I should have worn long pants!"

Sorry, but I have never heard of a "dress code" for American Airlines!!And I'm not quite sure what you mean "for an upgrade".Do you mean if you are hoping there will be an extra First Class seat that's empty, and the GA will pick you to occupy it?? NOT...Virtually every flight on AA goes out FULL in FC, leaving elites who have to sit in the back....Since I have been buying the reduced First Class fares mostly,I dont have to worry about whether or not I'll be upgraded...And I have worn a lot of collarless shirts, and cargo shorts and sandals...Not once has anyone said anything to me.What have I missed??

Are elite upgrades processed automatically in which case no one would even see you? I've only heard of dress codes being applied to non-revs, not paying passengers.

When the skin is burned off the back of your legs - and you're landing barefoot on stones and broken glass - believe me you will be rueing the shorts and flip flops.

And I know this happens rarely - but so do car accidents - and do you drive around without seat belts?

Hi nytraveler. You seem to have a lot of experience with this slide routine. Could you tell us which airline you usually fly?

I promise never to wear shorts in case I have to do the slide. I'm also going to sleep wearing shoes in case there's an earthquake during the night and I have to run out into the street. But how will I wash my hair while I'm wearing my bike helmet in the shower in case I slip and fall?

Wow, I've only flown first class once and that was a serendipidous upgrade, but I never considered there might be a dress code.

No offense, but many respondants sound very snobby! There's a line between appropriate attire and inappropriate public attire, in general, but PUH-LEASE..... what are we? In 18th century England with different classes of PEOPLE? For heaven's sake, it would be discriminatory to look down your nose and deny a passenger an upgrade because he's wearing shorts.

Go back to your country clubs.

This thread reminded me of a time about 15 years ago when my husband won a R/T for two to London on British Airways. We were supposed to fly over on the 747 but we were offered the opportunity to go on the Concorde if we were willing to leave a day later than planned (long story). Needless to say, we jumped at the opportunity!

We showed up at the airport dressed nicely, I thought. I was wearing belted, pressed dark jeans with a tucked-in blouse, not sloppy at all. My husband was wearing khakis and a polo shirt. The agent said that I couldn't board wearing jeans -- not up to the "dress code", he said. So I had to retrieve my luggage, find a dress, pantyhose and pumps, and go change in the ladies room! I was furious, especially when we watched a few people board the plane in jogging suits.

Ever heard of reverse snobbery?

Woops, not directed at Vigo.

lynnejoel, you've got blinders on if you don't think we have different classes and those classes aren't treated differently. "Discrimination" isn't automatically a negative, and sometimes it's considered not only acceptable but even a virtue ("cats of disciminating tastes"... ;-) .. .), though not necessarily in air travel, which is increasingly a cattle-call no matter what class you travel. But how you dress can affect how you're treated -- you may think that's "snobby," and assuming someone's wealthy and upperclass just becase they make that observation is silly. So is expecting people to dress down to avoid being thought "snobby" (and starting a criticism with "no offense" doesn't make it charming).

hi cassandra,

i'm not sure i know what you mean by reverse snobbery. and i had no intent at sounding charming. no interest in that.

anyone who thinks that a sharp suit made with expensive fabrics makes you somehow "better" or more suited to "first class" accommodations than the person next to you wearing a jogging suit or shorts is mistaken. keep in mind that every privilege in first class is PURCHASED.

consider what dr. martin luther king jr. said of his dream and being judged by content of character, not what color skin you wear, or in this case, cloth.

i'm no fool and certainly am not blind to think that our society doesn't harbor class discrimination .... but it doesn't mean that we can't fight it! :)

Reverse snobbery involves contempt for anything not associated with having no money, no sophistication, no education. It equates things like, oh say, dressing well to being "snobby," and believing that "snobby" is a terrible thing to say about someone else. God forbid.

Your "go back to your country clubs" was a classic line, involving the assumption that a) anyone who might recommend dressing nicely belongs to a country club and b) that being accused of belonging to one is a devastating condemnation of depravity.

I'm personally neither a fan of country clubs nor of the pious wealthy who think lack of money is a sign of poor character. And as I originally said, I've seen everything in 1st class and think comfort is worth thinking about. But that doesn't mean I admire people who think it cool and important to be proud of looking grundgy (and who consider anyone preferring not to be around people dressed that way a loser "snob"). Nor do I admire, especially, those who condemn recommendations to adapt to a situation as if that were a sure sign of oppression. Snobby is as snobby does, and it goes both ways.

Fighting discrimination doesn't begin with bare feet and torn levis in the first class part of airplanes -- though it might begin by eliminating first class altogether if you're truly interested in getting rid of class you can purchase.

... and for the record, when I say "I've seen everything in 1st class," I mean on the way back to coach -- except for the 3-4 times I've had the miles to upgrade, and the one time I was upgraded (I was wearing a dress, btw).

Not sure i understand all this. The times I have flown 1st class have been thru freebies or a FC ticket purchase only because I had to be there NOW, and that was all that was available.

I'm most likely to borad in jeans and a sport shirt. No shorts (even I'm offended by my hairy legs). I have never noticed any discrimination toward myself and certainly don't feel imtimidated by someone in a business suit or otherwise snappily dressed. I have worked and traveled like this for 26 years and have seen changes in attire in airports as anywhere else.

Perhaps international first class may be different, but I;m not going to concern myself with proper dress to travel from here to there. I know how to travel and I get it done.

By the way, I kinda like those navel piercings.

US Domestic "First Class" has no class whatsoever so pretty much anything would go.

I would not wear shorts on a first class international flight unless you want to get nasty looks. I have been to Rome and people dress very nice.

You need to remember that those people in First Class are poor. How poor are they you ask? They are so poor they can't afford their own plane.

I've been upgraded three times on BA and once on Qantas. All four times I had on long dress pants and dress shoes.

I've never been upgraded on a U.S. airline. I think they read my posts.

"Fighting discrimination . . . might begin by eliminating first class altogether if you're truly interested in getting rid of class you can purchase."

Class cannot be purchased, alas. Seats on airplanes, even large massaging chairs, do not constitute class but rather a surcharge.

Well said.