I usually wear black boot-cut yoga pants, black Chico's Traveler (lightweight) top, a cardigan, socks and Dansko slip-on shoes of some type. Sometimes, in colder weather, I also wear a light-weight London Fog raincoat. And I bring a pashmina shawl.

Soft stretch cordoroy pants, comfy sneakers (carrying pair of clean socks with me in carry on), a polo and a lightweight sweatshirt for chills.

Talking to the in-laws' last night and mother-in-law told me when they used to travel (domestic and international flights) they ALWAYS dressed up, he in a full suit and tie, dress shoes, her in a formal dress with hosiery and pumps. Hmm, doesn't that sound comfy? ;)They still fly even now but dress much more casually.

On one of my long flights last year, I wore lightweight black cotton pants with a bit of lycra, a dark t-shirt and black cardigan. Very comfortable and hides everything. But, then I discovered that in a darkened cabin, it was apparently too easily confused with a flight attendant's uniform--several times when I got up to walk around, people tried to hand me their trash. I've had to re-think that combination... :)

That's true about everyone dressing up to fly in the past. When I was a kid, we had to wear "Sunday best" which meant dresses over starched petticoats, little white cotton gloves and patent leather mary janes. No wonder we squirmed the whole flight! Of course, in those days your meal came on real plates and with real silverware too.

I'm cold more often than warm on planes, but you never know so layers are key. I usually go with black stretch cotton twill slacks, a nice t-shirt, slip on shoes, a cashmere cardigan and pashmina. Comfy enough to sleep in but "street ready" for when I arrive at my destination.

I was told that disgusting "puke" smell you some times get with airline blankets is due to the fire retardant. That's why I always travel with a pashmina.

As most of my flights are around 24 hours, I always take a clean set of underwear and always take advantage of showers on stopovers if available at the Qantas/BA lounges. Makes such a difference.

I'm another Chico's/Eileen Fischer fan. Broke my arm on 2nd day 3 week trip to Japan. Packed up everything else and wore those two outfits plus an extra tee-shirt for the whole trip. Black and white clothes, something that can easily be washed and we are set to go. I also bring pashima for plane and cool evenings. Why, oh why do we bring so much with us? But, now that my arm is fine, I will overpack for our week in Paris and our three weeks in South Africa.

I used to dress up to fly (and I've been flying since I was a newborn). However, there are several phenomena that have caused me to change my ways.

Now I wear black yoga pants and a comfortable knit top, usually with a hooded cardigan/sweatshirt. I do think it's important to be neat & clean, but I don't think anyone expects people to get on a long flight in a business suit. Clean is so important though because your thighs might be touching my thighs. Shorts - gross! It's also usually freezing on planes.

1.) Overnight flights, if you want to sleep, it's better if you're comfortable.
2.) it can get messy in a plane, with the small spaces, people lowerng their seatbacks while you're eating - why risk ruining a good outfit?
3.) waistline expansion. some people's feet get bigger. For me, it's my whole body. I can increase up to 2 inches in the air. Not sure why. So, that's why I wear yoga pants.
4.) someone else mentioned running through the airport - I've actually done that. So best to wear flats (and easily removeable ones, but do wear socks!).

Crocs.
It's an inside joke.

j 999 9- Crocs clogs or Crocs flip flops?

By slip on shoes plus socks, do you mean loafers or mules, please?

I've never received better/less service on a plane based on how I'm dressed, so I say go for comfort without looking like you just got out of bed. There is a solid medium ground there.

Who cares what you look like on the plane anyway? We're all going to be sprawled out, have our heads back on the seat backs, mouths wide open, drool coming down the side of our mouths, snoring... Don't say no - we've all been there. :)

My new favorite travel clothes include black cargo pants (black for all the obvious reasons stated above). I'd never worn cargo pants before but will never again get on a plane without them! I can run through airports with everything important ON MY BODY -- ticket, passport, money, PDA, phone, etc. It is also all 100% handy and accessible. And it stays on my body on the plane, always going to the bathroom with me, etc. -Ronda

jodeenyc~ no we haven't ;-)

i've never "been there" because I can't sleep on a plane. never have, doubt i ever will!

I've re-read the posts and did not see that anyone has mentioned eye mask and/or ear plugs. Many say that they can help you to sleep. Personally, I'm always afraid that I'll miss something important that I should be seeing or hearing.

LOL on the Juicy/90s/SUV mom comment. How true, they were, and still are apparently, just younger versions of the ancient Floridians toddling around in sweats.

It wasn't THAT long ago that people dressed up a little on the plane, although I wasn't there for starched petticoats. I'm taking a 3-week trip this fall and have 4 travel days, so I was thinking lightweight wool/lycra flannel pants and cotton/lycra top in the same charcoal color, with a short cashmere cape that can be the blanket. Earplugs, good socks, a book and beverage...can't wait!

I've never noticed a change in service level based on what I wear either. I have flown in slacks, blouse, jacket, and pumps. I have flown in jeans, sweatshirt, and tennis shoes. I have flown in a sweatsuit, tee, and tennis shoes. I have flown in hiking pants, hoodie, and hiking boots...

It all seems the same to me from a service perspective. Service is more a function of how polite and courteous the passenger is and the mood of the flight attendent, gate agent, or whoever.

jgarvey- I remember when they used to put little eye masks in the seat pockets. Buy one that is not silky, so it won't slip. I bought a pair of those noise reduction headphones & then I forgot them. Until 2 am, 1 1/2 hrs of a dog barking. Got up, took them out of the box, flipped the switch. Blocked almost all noise. I used to use the little foam ones like labs use. Much prefer these to something IN my ear and they fold almost flat.

drawstring pants and a blouse in a natural fabric like silk or linen, large slip on shoes, and a silk or cashmere sweater. I wore my leather slip ons light over and I won't do that again, halfway through I had to take them off ( and couldn't get them back on easily)

Well, I for one have gotten better service based on clothing. Back in the late 80's when this was possible, a gate attendant at the Dallas airport came up to my husband and I as we were waiting to board a flight to London and told us that the flight was overbooked and would we mind flying first class. She said that she chose us because of the way we were dressed! Oddly enough, on that very same trip we were very late to arrive at Gatwick Airport for our flight home and the gate person told us to go into first class because we were so late and the flight was overbooked! That was the first time I had ever been to Europe and spent both ways in first class. It's been downhill all the way since! Nine more trips to Europe, all cattle class!

After getting advice on this topic last year, I wore Chico's Zen Pants (black, jersey knit with wide stretchy waistband - yoga style pants) on a long flight. They were perfect for comfort and sleeping. Layers of cotton T's (short sleeve, long-sleeve), and a light-weight fleece top. Thick comfy socks. This is now my standard travel outfit. Looks nice enough, too.

Another vote for the travel knits. I've got quite a collection from Coldwater Creek. Those, and my mary jane Crocs make it pretty comfortable

amwosu: Neither, according to some posters here. It apparently is the footwear equivalent of the nehru jacket.

I read somewhere that when traveling by airplane, to never wear synthetics, especially nylons, whether hosiery or clothing. The reason is, if the plane catches on fire, the nylon melts into your skin and is very painful and difficult to remove in the hospital. Wear natural materials like cotton. If you are lucky enough to survive an airplane crash and/or fire, you do not want to add trauma to your wounds by having your nylons melt into your skin. Have a great time in Italy! We are leaving for Alaska next month and we are really excited!

I'll add my tacky insight to the excellent suggestions from many above:

Yes, I pack a "next day" change in my carryon in case I get stuck or need refreshing, i.e. fresh top, fresh underwear, ziploc of makeup/moisturizer I can't live without.)

However, since the gymnastics of changing underwear can be tricky in small bathrooms (and some airport bathrooms are not amiable for being in at all,) I wear a narrow panty liner in my panties when I travel. As the flight wears on, or before arrival, I remove the liner and feel like I have a relatively fresh pair of panties.

And I'm in the club of comfy-not-sloppy knits; skirts; socks for the plane; ballet flats; layers for who-knows-what temperature on the plane AND airports! A few times, I think I got the upgrade over others because I dress relatively nicely, not ready for the gym.

I'm a bit claustrophobic, a problem that's exacerbated by a too-warm cabin as well as turbulence. So in addition to wearing (usually) comfortable, slightly stretchy dress pants and dress shoes that I'll be able to slip in and out of (just bought a great new pair in France, nearly flat black leather mules with a pointed toe), I pretty much always wear something very, very lightweight right next to my skin, typically a camisole with a built-in bra (comfortable for sleeping). That way if I get too warm I can get down to that layer without scandalizing my fellow passengers.

Over the camisole I usually wear something pretty structured like a blazer: dresses up whatever I'm wearing, nice layer of warmth if I need it, and since it's relatively bulky I wouldn't have wanted to pack it anyway.

I also take some sort of shawl that I can use a bit like a blanket around my shoulders (leaving the airplane blanket for my legs and feet). I usually take a pair of socks to change into for the flight (and sometimes just throw them away when the flight is over). I've recently started using noise-cancelling headphones and love them. I don't like eyeshades, as I find them uncomfortable.

Wraparound dress (allows for expansion) eg DVF - and a pashmina.

If its winter - I wear high heeled boots (room for expansion). If its summer I wear high heeled sandals.

I just don't do casual.

I do occasionally wear dresses on flights, and go one better than Lawchick, choosing dresses that have no waist at all. I've got a cool black sleeveless knit that can go either summer or winter that I particularly like. I wore it to Lisbon in March with a jacket over it in a contrasting color and a paisley shawl to tie the colors together. Black boots (low heel rather than high heel).

The only drawback to the dress approach is that I typically wear tights with boots, so then I've got to make sure that they're not support stockings, as otherwise the waistband is less than ideally comfortable. No problem in summer, when I'd go with slingback pumps.

Wear some thin socks, just until you get past security. Walking bare-foot across those floors? Yuck!!

I would not wear a dress nor heels on a long haul flight.

A knit or microfiber pair of nice black slacks with a twin set is my personal choice, worn with low heeled mules. I carry a pair of thin socks in case my feet get cold.

Most recent flight home from Italy wore a cotton dress in a flowered print with tan dressy mules (low-ish heel). Very comfortable (no binding anywhere, full skirt let me move around very easily, even crossing my legs since I was sitting with my thirteen year old daughter and we could invade each other's space at will) and attractive enough to prompt positive comments from two different flight attendants.

We got bumped up to First on a BA overnight flight and the first thing they hand you as you get on the plane is a pair of pyjamas.
Now if it is acceptable in First....

Coming in late here... First of all, I never wear white or light colors for a plane flight. One little bump and you've got coffee or red wine all over you. And eschewing both doesn't help; it can be your neighbor or the flight attendant who does the spilling. Last month at Heathrow I saw a woman dressed totally in white linen. Not a good idea.

I too wear shoes with velcro closures to allow for swelling at high altitudes.

But I like to be a little better dressed. Not only for service at the airport and on the plane. I have a theory if you arrive at a hotel well-dressed, they'll give you a better room.

These days it is almost impossible to be upgraded for free, (and if you are, it's usually based on FF status, or how much you paid for your ticket. The way they stuff you into the plane with so little space, I think I should be able to wear whatever is comfortable. I choose to wear cotton (fear of fire), plus it breathes.

We missed a flight in Frankfurt,due to weather. We then were waitlisted on a flight to Chicago. We were on pins and needles as they were calling passengers onboard. We were among the last to be called, because they seated us in business class!! I am convinced they chose us to be in business class, because we dressed the part. We looked like we belonged there!

Winter: Khaki trousers with lycra and elastic waistband, and long or 3/4 sleeves black or navy stretchy cotton top (no T-shirts), and light black ankle socks and black slip-on mules.

Summer: Capris, also with lycra and elastic waistband, and black or navy tops (again no T-shirt) or collared polo shirt, and slip-on sandals that are loose and comfy. I take a lightweight cardigans for the "air-conditioned" planes!!

All freshly laundered and ironed before flight - so I do not stink!!

No t-shirts because of fashion or some other practical reason? Just curious.

I like to dress and look reasonably good so I do not wear T-shirts.

From the CBS News site:

"Lynda White, who teaches etiquette classes and calls herself "The First Lady of Manners," said many young people have gotten lax on what to wear and how to act - possibly influenced by Hollywood stars. She recommends "business-casual" outfits for the plane because you might be seated next to a potential employer or business contact."