What to wear on the plane?
 

Hi, so does anyone have any suggestions/preferences for what to wear on the long flight across the pond. My flight is non-stop from LA to Paris, almost 11 hours flight time.

This is mostly for the ladies, since the gents don't have as much of a choice. What's the best for the long trip -- long skirt, cotton pants, sweats(heaven forbid!), sweaters, t-shirts, blouses?

What looks best, is most "travelproof" and comfortable?

My personal favorites are the Chico's travelers. They are stylish and as comfortable as pajamas, don't wrinkle and you'll be ready to go when you land. Plus they wash and dry quickly without wrinkling.

I usually wear a jjill pant suit that has a rumply look, even right from the cleaners. I get cold on airplanes, so like that it has a jacket. It's very comfy, and has an elastic waist.

I wear socks (my feet get cold, too) and soft topped, rubber soled shoes in case we want to go sightseeing right away.

I like comfortable clothes like cotton slacks and shirts with a sweater to add if needed. Also, I like to wear socks and comfortable shoes that will stretch if my feet swell a bit.

Depends on the time of year, but on my most recent trip (leaving September 21) I wore a pair of pressed khaki capris with a knit top and a black linen jacket. For shoes I wore black Aerosole leather shoes and I carried a large leather bag for all my everyday stuff. I like to look fairly stylish when I arrive, but feel totally comfortable.

Another vote for Chico's Travelers. They do triple duty (comfy, stylish, and practical), roll up into nothing, and come in lots of styles and colors. Almost as comfy as jammies on the plane, and easily accessorized for variety during the trip. I went to Italy for a month last year with one carry-on bag, thanks to Chico's and Ziplock bags!

Buy a pair of men's support hose. Best thing I ever bought! www.supporthosestore.com - Jobst for Men - Medium Black 110302

I can sympthasise with the long flight time - we live in Australia and it's 14 hours non-stop to L.A. and about 20 hours with one stop to London. Yikes!
Choose dark colours that won't show creases or spills and definitely go for comfort. I usually wear stretchy black pants that are comfy around the waist, a t-shirt and a warm, dark coloured top like a polar fleece. Also flat black shoes and socks. On the flight I always take tissues, eyedrops, toothbrush, comb and moisturiser. A neck cushion is also a good idea.
Kay

Janyne11159 or Chicgeek:

More information on Chico Travelers please. Where do you purchase and approximate cost.

Thank you.
Sandy

www.chicos.com is the place. The sizes run kinda large. I also use the 3 piece outfits for travel for all the already stated reasons. But I recommend cotton underware and hand cream. For some reason my hands get very dry on long flights.

I really like to wear the step-in, open back type shoes when we make long flights. They are easy to slip off when sitting, easy to slip back on and offer enough room for expansion when my feet swell after so many hours in the air.

Like Kay, I'm frequently on very long flights since I live in China, and like St. Cirq and try to balance style and comfort.

I second the recommendation for socks (although I bring thick warm ones with me since I typically wear trouser socks) - it's more comfortable and warmer.

I also recommend a pashmina or other warm, non-bulky wrap. I have only been on a handful of too-warm flights in my life, but DOZENS of flights on which I thought I might freeze to death. I ALWAYS wear layers and even then, and even with rounding up 3 blankets, am often still VERY cold - warm socks, a pashmina, and layers may come in very handy.

I suppose I've gotten off track of what to wear - those are more like things to pack in your carryon. I usually wear trousers that don't wrinkle and won't drag in the knees after I've been contorted in pretzle-like positions for 15 hours, along with a knit top and light sweater. Mostly black, but that's just me!

I owe one of the Chico Travelers Jackets and I love it, but they are kinda pricey. As an alternative, Mervyn's carried a brand called French Laundry and they have some pieces that are made of the same fabric, Acetate, as the Chico line. I just bought a black shell and pants on sale both for around $40 total. Many times, you can find pieces made of this fabric in department stores at a better price.

I didn't read through all this, but the title reminded me of the time many years ago when a whole group of us (then young teachers) flew to Spain for Easter week. Two of the gals wore dark blue pantsuits on the plane. They looked just like the stewardesses (yes the appropriate term for those days). Everytime one of them got up to go to the bathroom, they'd get about five drink orders going up the aisle.

SandyBrit,

There are Chico's stores everywhere (at least in the US), but you can also use chicos.com. The prices are reasonable, considering the amount of use you get out of them IMHO. There are also LOTS of coordinating pieces, which make for necessary versatility when trying to pack light.

Go to www.chicos.com and check out store locations near you. There are several <i>outlets</i>, but I don't think they show up in the store locater list. Phone the 800 number to find out if there's an outlet store near you. I can usually find lots of good bargains there.

If you live near one of the large outlet malls, Chico's has outlets with deep discounts. They are a little pricey, but wash well, hold their color and never seem to wear thin.

Ok, let's make this strictly a girls-only discussion. I hope I don't get flamed here, but has anyone mentioned bras? I can't stand the thought of wearing an underwire bra on a long flight (not to mention the fact that those things set off metal detectors). That's why I own several of these new camisoles with a built-in &quot;shelf&quot; bra (most stores sell them now). I wear one on the plane with a knit tunic-style top over it--to keep met warm and... well... decent, I guess. That combined with my favorite pair of Gap stretchy jeans--and I have a &quot;plane&quot; outfit, which has passed the test of time (on quite a few trans-pacific and trans-atlantic flights).

Sans--you have definitely turned this into a girl's only discussion--LOL! I wear my oldest, most comfy bra on a long flight. My daughter wears one of her older sports bras that has lots of stretch in it. I can't even stand to wear on of the camisoles with a shelf bra. After 12 hours it feels like a big rubber band!

Since we're on the subject . . .

One of my first times flying, the person in front of me set off the metal detector, so the agent used the wand and asked the person to remove his belt.

When I went through, I set it off, too, and when the agent used the wand, she leaned over and asked me: &quot;Darlin', are you wearing an underwire bra?&quot; I got this horrified look on my face because I thought she meant that I was going to have to take it off!

SECRET TIPS FOR NOT SETTING OFF METAL DETECTORS:

I've just come back from a lobbying trip to Washington DC, where almost every building has a metal detector. I'd read these tips somewhere and it works about 99% of the time for me. I told my companions and we watched as people went through, and sure enough, the people who followed the tips usually sailed right through, while those who didn't beeped almost every time:

* First of all, plan ahead so that you don't have anything in your pockets - keys, cell phone, lighter, coins, whatever. Plan in advance so that all this stuff is in your carryon.

* When it's your turn to go through, use one GIANT step, with one foot BEFORE the metal detector, then with your other foot, step ALL THE WAY THROUGH and place your other foot on the other side of the detector. People who step in the middle or take small mincing steps beep almost every time.

* If you have something that might beep, like a watch, belt buckle, or underwire bra, try to cover the possible offender with your hand or arm. Sometimes, they tell you to keep your hands at your sides, but if they don't, this is usually enough to keep something simple like that from beeping (works for me with underwire bras!).

The next time you're in an airport keep these rules in mind and watch as the people in front of you go through - it really works!

I agree about the Chico's stuff although it is polyester/nylon/rayon. Not always the most breathable, but it is comfortable when sitting in the same position for hours. My all time top travel tip for comfort would be these amazing new slipper / socks from Karen Neuberger. They are the softest, coziest things ever. I took two pair in my carry on on our last trip and a pair of slip on slippers (the slipper socks do not have any soles). They made flying a dream. You can find them online or at Nordstrom.

I always wear my Chico's travel stuff and I always layer it. A short-sleeved T or top with a jacket over it. Also agree about socks and clog-type shoes that are not tight.

I have bought almost all of my Chico's stuff on sale, which makes it quite reasonable. Even at full price, this stuff is worth it. It's like wearing pajamas but it looks stylish and put together. (Betsy, maybe we should organize an SF Fodors Field Trip to the Chico's outlet in Vacaville?)

Andrea, I always wear an underwire and have not yet set off the metal detector. But I certainly appreciate your tips and will try the arm across the body one in future.

sansdieu,
It is so funny that you mentioned the bra-----I meant to, but forgot. I, too, can't stand to wear a bra on a long flight, so wear a camisole with a built-in bra under my Chico's Travelers or velour warm-up suit. And I always throw a pair of socks in my carry-on. Along with an eye mask and an inflatable neck pillow.

Being female, I always wear a skirt when I travel, 'cus I HATE the balancing act required when wearing pants in the 1' x 1' airplane restrooms.

Hey, Marilyn! There's even a closer Chico's outlet at the Great Mall of Milpitas! A few weeks ago I found a black jacket from their travelers line that I love. It's long enough to cover my, um, derriere and has lots of eentsy hooks and eyes all the way up the front. Originally $88, it was at the outlet for $22--one of my better buys there. I'm headed back soon to find pants to match.

Maybe closer for you, Betsy, but I'm in west Marin. I know your jacket -- great buy! My fave is zip front and styled like a sweatshirt. I live in it all winter here, but it's perfect for traveling. Covers what needs to be covered and has large pockets.

I prefer cotton, in layers, like a jumper &amp; shirt-NO bra-take a change of underwear with and change in airport when I freshen up. Also, Magellans has a travel store in Santa Monica and always has several rackes of sale clothing, some of which is cotton.

The American economy revolves around women buying cloths because you can't figure out what to wear. OK, not PC but true, IMO.

OK, jor, what do YOU wear when you fly? I've worn more or less the same clothes for flying for about the last 5 years, so I'm certainly not doing much to help the economy in that respect.

It is recommended that flyers wear cotton or other natural fibers and no pantyhose in case the plane crashes! A fire in the plane would turn synthetic fibers into melting goo and cause tremendous bodily harm, that is if you survive the crash in the first place.

Marilyn, I wear whatever isn't dirty in my to-be-washed basket. The Gross National Product doesn't go up when I wear my skid-proof underwear for more than two days at a time. The chics pay my way and that's what drives the economy. LOL

I remember what I wore for the first time I flew from St. Louis to Paris. I wore a t-shirt and shorts. Not a good idea!!! I froze to death! Now that I am more experienced (I'm going to Paris this May), I will be wearing something much different. I'll wear comfortable, yet stylish knit pants, a knit camisole top, and a lightweight form-fitting belted cardigan. New York &amp; Company is a great place to shop for clothes for an overseas trip. I recommend women to look there! Bon Voyage!

My preference comes from Chico's also: the loose-fitting yoga pants. They are cotton with a little lycra, a wide comfy elastic waist - an little to no wrinkling. I think they are called Zen Pants. Perfect comfort for sleeping on the plane. Thick comfy socks are good, too. Layers on top for warmth and hiding the slept-in look.

I wear no bra at all when flying. It's the first piece of clothing I take off when I come home after work, well, after my shoes. And yes, I can take it off without removing my shirt. Granted I am not very large but told my mother she would be more comfortable bra-less flying over here for the first time this spring.