First class misconceptions
 

F--as we all know--is not the 'holy ground' it once was (with rare exceptions). Flying is not luxurious in any manner.

This question of what to wear in F is a much broader one (and I see thousands of lurkers to this thread who are no doubt intrigued by this question) which is really about comporting oneself in public.

Do you insist on wearing the team footie shirt in F or whereever (maybe to a restaurant, to work, where does it stop?)...or do you consider the wider implications of how you appear, your manner, your dress, your comportment and even your style in general.

Lack of civility: yes, we are all battered and humiliated by security checkpoint Yahoos, and we stand there almost naked and barefoot--so in a way who cares what we wear after that...as long as we get on the plane and get where we want to go. But...still there is a social framework here, a human requirement and social requirement for civility and good manners and thoughtfulness and respect to others.
You could arrive at a plane with uncombed hair, unbrushed teeth, dirty feet, and filthy nails and messy clothes and rumpled appearance and behave raucously--and social contracts start to break down, and you would be shunned and even loathed in the close companionship of a plane.
So just as one goes about the social convention of combing hair and brushing teeth--there is a greater consideration among adults, among grownups, to dress well and appropriately, to be well-groomed and clean, and to be kind and thoughtful to others, to respect the FAs on a flight, and to be courteous to others as they embark and disembark...being a good human.

Sure, why not? To paraphrase someone else up-thread, as long as they've got tops that cover their armpits, bottoms that cover their bottoms, and some kind of shoes (or at least socks on), and they don't smell bad, then why should it matter what the heck some stranger wears?

I don't own any "team footie shirts" nor even a baseball jersey which would be the closest equivalent I might own, but I've been known to go in public in conference or web-site-logo T-shirts which is not likely any more formal... to work, to restaurants (absent specific dress codes), really wherever I feel like. That's not my normal day to day wear, but that's a matter of my preference, not any particular belief that other people prefer me in one or the other.

I mean, if I were wearing the handful of my old heavy metal T-shirts with R-rated scenes of carnage and debauchery on them, you might have a point. It's a non-issue in my case, since none of those fit my girth any longer, but I can't imagine that anything like a team or conference or web-site logo or is going to risk giving offense of that sort.

I will sometimes dress up for a celebratory occasion, either because I feel like it, or because my wife likes it. Her opinion, unlike random strangers', does matter.

Hey, as long as the appearance-related "hygiene" issues don't lead to a bad odor (something, frankly, I hit more often with the overuse of perfume etc than poor hygiene) or health risks for the rest of us, I don't care ... any random member of the public looks like.

Now, behaving raucously, that's generally obnoxious except in its time and place. If I'm out at a bar, and other folks are behaving raucously, well, if I wanted peace and quiet I'd have stayed home. But an airplane is not the time and place; if you want to talk with your seatmate, do it at a normal conversational tone and volume, and as for me, as long as other people mind theyr own business, I'll do the same and everyone gets along

"Dressing well" to some external standard is so 19th Century. This is the 21st. An it harm none, wear what ye like.

Conflating silly matters of appearance with things that actually matter (being kind, treating others with respect and courtesy, etc) does everyone a disservice.

*LOL* If people ever start buggin' me while I'm flying, I may have to get me one of those ;)

Meanwhile, whether it's what I usually wear while traveling(*) or just my attitude, it works well enough.

(* with the exception of footwear, the exact same thing I wear most days: some kind of short sleeve shirt, whether polo or button-up, khakis or khaki-like pants in another color, and if I'm flying, usually sneakers. When not flying, I'll usually be in sport sandals instead.)

Excellent post by EOS!

That said, I don't see why a big difference should apply between what one would/should wear in coach or in F. However, in most cases there is an obvious difference in elegance, taste and quality of clothing displayed in Coach or F. The only times when people are seriously inappropriately dressed in F, they are usually Americans. I've seen US Americans in F with shorts and sandals or in jogging suits. So by inappropriate I mean first of all things that either show too much flesh or don't cover up unsightly feet enough (not to mention the stinky part), and, second, I mean clothes that one should simply not wear outside of the confines of one's own home because they are strictly leisure wear.

This goes along with the perceived notions of lesser class distinctions in the US (compared to Europe and possibly Asian countries), the almost cemented notion of Americans having bad taste and a certain rebel feeling by the inappropriately dressed. This rebel feeling is like an inverse, reactionary snobism. Where the European mocks the American, saying that they might have tons of money but that sure doesn't make them more cultivated or tasteful, the American seemingly strikes back by wearing horrendous outfits and not caring for social norms, saying that he/she doesn't need to conform to those norms because they have money and define their position mostly by money. This in turn just confirms what the European was thinking anyway. In other words, this thing goes full circle and is almost inevitable.

The reason this is more striking in F than in coach is that those Europeans that do fly F will mostly dress better than those that don't, at least if I can generalize a bit. Lower class Europeans often have quite bad taste, too, not unlike Americans. So the differences are not as readily visible. When you dress badly in F, you set yourself apart from the others. The pure fact that the question even comes up and is discussed for nine pages, shows that there are standards and that this is an issue.

Till

I'd say that's a much better idea than the short pants (Are pants ever short? I thought pants are by definition long trousers.) and short sleeve shirt for international F. See my post above. In addition, you'll most likely be more comfortable, too. Personally, even I can get cold on an international flight. My GF calls me her thermal power station because I am always radiating a lot of heat but shorts plus short sleeve shirts would have me chilled.

I often wear a sport coat and long sleeve shirt. However, I take the coat off to sit down. When I wear a polo shirt, I bring a fleece or cashmere cardigan for added comfort and warmth, especially for overnight flights.

I do take my shoes off regularly, even though I know that safety wise that is not recommended. Fortunately, my feet don't smell at all so I can afford to do that without bothering my fellow passengers. I know it violates etiquette (don't take shoes off in public) but for once I don't care.

Till

"Shorts" or "short pants" are normal American-English.

Ditto, and I'm also generally very warm. On the other hand, rather than a long sleeve shirt for my primary shirt, I'll generally bring a light jacket or long sleeve outer shirt so that I can layer that on when cold and won't have to be sitting in a plain white undershirt when too warm.

Well, what you said is true..

Every part of the world has its own 'taste' of what is appropriate and inappropriate.. I guess it's a matter of perspective and where you come from..

From what I've experienced, usually on Long-Haul flights, I find the plane can get a bit hot and usually am sweating. The FA told me that the aircraft cabin is in standard operational temperature of 23 Degrees Celcius... All I wore all that time is a short sleeved buttoned shirt, and long pants..

But I am always prepared for hot and cold weather since usually my destinations are both (USA and Asia).. But always, with proper sets of 'long' wears and 'short' wears.

I always have auxiliary long sleeved thick shirt and short pants.. At one point I'd even carry a sweater to use in flight..

First of all, thanks for the explanation of "short pants". I am still learning something new every day.

Wow, if you get too hot at 23 degrees you must be one "high burning" individual. I think it was Balzac who said the ideal husband always has the complementary temperature to his wife, so he can warm her when she is cold and vice-versa.

I like polo shirts because they are more formal than a plain white T-shirt and they protect the neck at least a little bit from those cruel drafts you can get in planes and that can lead to terrible muscle pain.

Actually, in this context I have already thought about using a hoodie sweatshirt even if that is so not my style otherwise.

Till

23C = 73.5F, which is moderately warm for my taste - definitely short sleeves temperature, would be short pants weather if I was active, but for long periods sitting on a plane, not so much.

Then again, it definitely draftier in my preferred Y seats (31A/J on a AA 777s), and it can often get downright cold there.

I don't think I've ever kept a pair of short pants on hand for a flight, although it's not a bad idea - on longer trips, I do always keep an extra casual shirt (T or lighter polo) and underwear on my carry-on, just in case things get misrouted or I get to overnight when I'm supposed to just change planes

I would happily wear a business shirt and trousers with black leather shoes if that was a mandate I don't find that sort of thing uncomfortable, I just prefer this. The shirt in question isn't an on-field shirt, it's the shirt the team wears on travelling, it's yellow, and is collared with 3 buttons from the neck down, I just find it much more comfortable, this is what that shirt was intended for so I wear it.

As for am I well groomed, yes, I am aware of my appearance when I'm in public, I'm not the most fashionable guy in the world nor the best looking but I will run a brush through my hair, and I will usually shave the day of a flight. Ontop of that I don't drink, so I don't come onto a flight smelling like booze like a number of the supposed "well dressed" flyers do.

As an aside, I've never ever felt underdressed on a flight, in any class of travel and that's what I usually wear.

I must say I am intregued that I seem to be copping the brunt of "underdressed scum" stuff, just because my choice has a football team's logo on it.

Can't understand why it's a big deal to anyone. Feet and armpits covered? Hey, go for it. Come to Boston sometime, where they'll kick you off the plane if you're not wearing Red Sox gear.

Mike

I dress for me, no one else
 

So in my case it means dress pants, shirt and shoes as well as sport jacket. I almost never wear a suit on a plane just my choice. This is what I wear every week to and from Singapore. I fine these clothes comfortable because they have been tailored to fit me properly. From time to time I will loose the jacket. Also, I try not to judge others by what they are wearing.

Anyone who thinks they have to dress up to fly in a premium cabin is sadly lacking in common sense and is obviously not an experienced flyer as anyone who flies more than 250 000 miles a year will tell you

Well, I've lived so long in SE Asia with Air Conditioner almost every day.. 23 for me is warm especially on airplanes and after a glass of champagne pre-flight..

Wear what you feel is comfortable.. That's what matters :)

Yes indeed.. I find domestic flights tend to have colder temperature settings but on long hauls, they tend to be hot.. And I prefer not just to sit, but to walk around, which my preferred choice gave me room to do so.

I guess it's safe to say that on Boeing aircrafts the temperature tends to be colder but on Airbus planes, it tends to get a bit hotter..:p

All depends on where your destination is.. And what 'troubles' you might expect..;)

Not dress up I suppose, but dress comfortably.. That's what matters..:)

Whereas on long hauls, I tend to be asleep, pretty close to straight through. Which also drops my body temperature (most people's as well, I'd imagine.)

*lol* No idea. My only long-haul trip on an Airbus was an on A300 from JFK to LHR. The main thing I've found is that on Boeing widebodies, being near a widow exit makes things a little colder and being near a door makes it a good bit colder. :)

True, that.

Well, dress to please yourself first; I'll also be in the "comfort" column, but if other people actually like dressing up (and assuming it's still less comfortable for them - I'm told not everyone finds suits as uncomfortable as I do) then they've got every right to do so. They just shouldn't expect the rest of us to do the same. :)

I always have problems sleeping on a plane, but always managed at least 4-6 hours of sleep on a 14-16 hours flight.. The heat's always unbearable though..

Well my experience was on the A345 and A300, and they are warm if not hot.. I guess it also depends on the person..

That's true.. I particularly like dressing up, but on a plane I tried to have some common sense particularly when I'm flying long haul..

What if one is doing leisure time activity outside the home, or flying to a leisure destination?

Because temperature inside the plane or at the destination may not be very predictable, dressing to be able to handle various temperature conditions (e.g. layerable clothes) makes the most sense.

I've managed to sleep 12+ hours nearly straight through (minus some barely remembered lav runs) on a couple of longer flights; the combination of a 1AM-ish departure and a 14 hour flight on the CX SFO-HKG flight are particularly conducive to it.

Yes; I generally run "warm" most of the time though, so it's a bit surprising. It definitely does vary person to person, and also temperatures vary between flights and even between seats (window, which I tend to favor for long flights where I might sleep, trend cooler.)

ANORAK
 

HI TILL-
You are right that the Cole Haan anoraks are stylish and practical--though they are pretty sporty looking, not dressy. But they are light for travel. The black ones and the fold-up raincoat, are practical.

'REBEL'--yes, that 'I'll wear what I like' and 'You can't tell me what to wear' and 'dressing well is so 19th century' is a rather trite refrain in this thread. All the faux rebels!

Fine, OK, who cares if they are turned away from a bar or wedding or restaurant or club because they aren't dressed appropriately. Someone wearing inappropriate clothes in any cabin of a plane (the list of inappropriate clothes seen lately is very long)--looks clueless, out-of-it, slobby, and antisocial. Nothing will change the stance--faux rebel--and the impression that they never grew up.

Social comportment: being well-groomed, discreet, well put-together, respectful of others, etc, are all part of a civilized society. Some people don't want to do that, they reject the concept, or simply don't have a clue how to dress or any sense of style.

I am always very warm-natured.

In the winter, I often travel in [nice] jeans, polo shirt, and sweater. In the summer, I am mostly in khaki shorts and polo shirt. As soon as I board, I take off my shoes, but always leave on socks (or airline footies). On long-haul (intercontinental flights) I am in my PJs before boarding is even completed.

Unless the time is very short between end of meeting and check-in, I will get out of suit before I get to the airport and dress comfortably for the flight.

SQ 37/38 leaves at 8.00PM, quite nice too since I usually arriving in the morning.. Never quite get nice sleeps on a plane..

The thing is, it grew quite cold at first.. Slowly, it goes warmer and warmer.. :)

The config is 1-2-1, and I never noticed any differences.. Maybe just me though.. :D

I don't know how you do it.. Everytime I took a summer flight back to Asia and took a fall flight, I ended up always having a thick outer coat, a sports coat, and sweater.. Guess living so long in 110F + 95% humidity brings something.. :D

I also always took off my shoes and change to socks.. Quite comfortable, but my feet kinda smells, so I tend to do it as little as possible..

Always good to do that... I always look at my dad when he's scurrying off flying somewhere after a meeting not an hour before.. The plane literally waited for us to come aboard.. That was cool..:D

Maybe Airbus planes are better insulated? While I've rarely noticed it in international J (not that I fly up front all that often), I've definitely noticed it in domestic F/J on transcons.

Oddly enough, though, none of the "I'll wear what I like" folks are telling you NOT to "dress better," if you prefer to dress more formally.

Never been turned away from any of the above. Nor do I think I'm likely to.

I know enough to dress up for the rare trip to a formal restaurant; the vast majority of restaurants these days are casual dining where, frankly, nobody cares what you wear beyond "no shoes, no shirt, no service."

I've never heard of someone being turned away from a bar; there are some that get very formal crowds, and you might get an odd look going into them in very casual clothing, but so what? You're equally likely to get an odd look for showing up in formal clothes in a divey, casual place.

Clubs, well, not my scene. My guess is, though, that for the handful I've gone to if you show up in a business suit and tie you're going to stand out negatively more than merely unfashionable or ill-fitting casual clothing.

Weddings are, by definition, special occasions. Even there, while many are formal, not all are.

Meanwhile, work is the thing many people will most often dress up for, and AFAICT, in my industry places that require formal dress are the dinosaurs.

Inappropriate clothing on what is in essence mass transit is very limited.

To the contrary, judging strangers on their clothing when you've got no business with them is the sign of a snob. Indeed, to a large extent unless "dressing well" is part of their professional capacity, judging people on it in a professional setting is largely the sign of a simple, superficial mind or a snob as well. Socially, well, there's no accounting for taste.

I'm rather reminded of the notion that you should judge a person on their watch. It seems rather odd, since it's jewelry with an original purpose that is now largely obsolete (who doesn't carry a phone?.)

Conflating things that are purely a matter of appearance with things that actually impact other people has nothing to do with a civilized society.

I think there's always something wrong with their temperature control, dunno for real though.. Maybe like you said, they are better insulated.. Who knows? ;)

I could buy your arguments except that you keep harping on 'style'. It sounds like a fashion magazine writer or a clothing marketer rather than a real person - as trite as the 'faux rebels' you criticize, and has little to do with a civilized society.

I typically wear khakis/ jeans/ dress pants with collared shirt -- for footwear especially for long transoceanic flights I prefer sandals (if weather at both end allows) or very light sneakers and loose socks [and then take sneakers off during ascent]. The comfort/ health of my feet has direct correlation how well I feel at my destination and following day(s).

No it's not. I wash myself once, sometimes twice or multiple times a day. On the other hand when was the last time you washed your shoes?

Certainly at any given time it's much more harmful for me to come in contact with your shoes than for you to come in contact with my feet.

I grant that wounded or diseased foot, should be appropriately covered/ bandaged just like any other body part that is healing. Also dirty feet are washed just like dirty hands [and much better than shoes after stepping in dog excrement.

I haven't read through the thread, but back in the 80's and early 90's when our family would take trips overseas on TWA in F, we would wear slacks and a button down shirt at the very least.

I would be happy if people traveling in FC would just wear long pants and shoes. Nothing like a grown man in shorts, sandals, and a T shirt in FC.

If you are that easily distracted by what other people wear, bring a book or something.

Also, why would it matter if it was first or coach? It would seem to me that clothes matter more in coach, where you're all pressed up against each other - I'd rather avoid bare-skin contact, at least unless it's with an attractive woman of legal age (although I might want to avoid that too, if my wife is around :) :D )

Thread Lazarus!

Anyway, here’s my hypothesis.

no real dress code these days in F, though most people who pay for F have enough sense to dress somewhat presentable. I like to go with stone white or off white slacks, a nice looking t-shirt or jacket and nice pair of comfy sneakers. seems to be fine for me. some people wear collared shirts, I don't. As long as you don't go looking like a hippie, most ppl couldn't care less.

why would anyone care what any other passenger thinks of them? i wear whatever i feel like when i travel - be it in international f or on an rj in y. sometimes that means a jacket and tie; sometimes that means a t-shirt and jeans. if someone doesn't like it, that's just too damn bad.

it goes without saying though, that regardless of what i wear, i look better than most ;)

I have no specific "outift" nor a style, it all depends on where I am going, what I do when I land and the length ot flight time.

If on an overnight flight, I usually have Jarmies in my carry on as I am usually bigger than XL's passed out by the airline (usually Emirates). I also find if I am on the suite service, (where you have your own door) I tend to be scruffier than usual as no one can see you anyway!

Last week on a DXB-LHR on the A380 in F I wore Shorts and Flip Flops, as I had a connecting flight to MIA on BA, so felt at home on both flights, although I was the scrufiest on the BA sector.

I never dress for other people nor on what they would possibly think of me on a day to day basis, so why think about it when I fly??

The point is that there is no dress code in aeroplanes, however much some of our American friends wish there were. People can and will dress as they please.

Not this American. Hey, if you want to control the dress code on the plane, fly a private jet. Otherwise, you're stuck with the rest of us.

Mike

No, not all Americans. But whenever people come on who do advocate a dress code, you can be pretty sure where they're coming from and it's not Europe.

This American would like to encourage German businessmen to stop wearing striped pants with plaid sportcoats and orange socks.

That's exactly my point. Why do you think you should be able to impose your taste in clothes on other people?