How to look and stay cool on a long haul flight
Q&A with Planepack
Q: What to wear on the plane?
Thank you Ingrid for this Planepack question:
"I would like to know what fabrics travel the best, that is cope with cooler plane environments and then hot airports where one has to dash to the next terminal with luggage in tow and require the least ironing while still looking okay after a couple of 14 hour flights."
A: The Planepack essential plane wear list
This is how I prepare and travel for a 14 hour flight from cold Australia to warm Europe or Asia.
I travel in soft, comfortable fabrics and styles - that don’t require ironing. So my typical travel outfit would be:
- leggings
- skirt or shorts over the leggings (I’ve recently bought a skort [combo shorts and skirt] so I might try that next time)
- cotton t-shirt
- long-sleeved top over the t-shirt
- a lightweight anorak/raincoat, but I don’t wear it on board. This jacket has zip-off sleeves for wear in Europe.
- comfortable, soft underwear
- knee-high support hose
- ankle socks
- comfortable walking shoes
- a silk scarf - usually put around my neck to keep warm on the flight
- No jewellery (it interferes with my headphones)
Planepack plane style
I like to wear cotton as far as possible so that my skin can breathe.
I always travel with a minimal colour palette: this goes with that and that goes with this. While I don’t look glamorous when I travel, I prefer not to look too shabby either.
Here i am ready for a long haul trip from Kyoto to Tokyo, Melbourne and Canberra, wearing my typical on board wardrobe of leggings, shorts and t-shirt. Also showing off Mr PetMan and my carry-on luggage only: matching light Samonsite bags. And using my Airpocket as a handbag.
When I reach the mid-point - usually Dubai or Abu Dhabi - I might take off some of the clothes. As I like to keep my support hose on for the whole flight, I’ll leave on my leggings. I wear my shoes for the duration of the flight as well: much easier than trying to put them on in the aeroplane - and I hate getting my socks wet in the toilet. Wearing the support hose keep my feet comfortable; they never swell.
By the time I get to Europe, I would have stripped off the leggings, the support hose, packed away the long-sleeved shirt and my jacket. Essentially I walk off the aeroplane in a skirt/short and t-shirt with walking shoes and ankle socks. The silk scarf can add a bit of colour.
So, no need to iron anything and I arrive ready for the day - although to be honest by that stage I’m more ready for a shower!
Carry-on luggage only
With reference to the luggage, I travel with ONLY a carry on bag. I do NOT putting anything into the hold of the aeroplane. Travelling with 7kgs only makes it very easy to run between terminals - and I’m never held up by delayed or late luggage. I love travelling light; I find it so liberating
About the author
This is me in 1977, squeezing 14 t-shirts into an already overfull bag. I've learnt a lot about light travel since then!
I'm Slobodanka Graham, digital publisher, content entrepreneur and extreme light traveller. I've learnt a lot since my first long haul flight: I no longer pack 14 t-shirts! Nor do I travel with luggage in the hold. I've come a long way, baby - and I hope you do too.
