Airport fashion: style, comfort or both?

Plane travel: rewarding but stressful. On top of all the planning and things to worry about, from 100ml limits to imminent gate closures, you’ve got the question of what to wear. Part of you wants your outfit to be as stylish and exciting as the day itself – travelling is a special occasion after all, and it’s tempting to look good for it. But there’s also the importance of being comfortable. You’re going to be waiting around and sitting in the same seat for a pretty long while, which is no time for overly tight waistbands or scratchy material. I like to think I’ve got the balance between style and comfort right, for a young adult, female-presenting person, so I’ll let you in on my secrets.

The number one thing to prioritise, forever and always, is comfortable footwear. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of your shoes for your overall comfort. Irritating clothing is annoying but manageable, but painful feet? I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. And don’t even think about taking your shoes off on a plane. That’s why I always go for my very broken in, soft leather, classic black Docs. No need to explain that they look good with everything, and since I’m so used to wearing them they’re as comfortable as slippers. Pair them with fluffy socks and I’m good to go.

Next up is trousers. I can’t deny that trackies are the most comfortable items of clothing in existence, and it’s true that if you choose the right ones they’re fashionable. But my joggers double up as pajama bottoms, making them too slobby and unenergetic for the daytime for me – like going out without washing your face in the morning. Instead, I go for loose, low waisted jeans. These aren’t going to touch your legs in annoying places or squeeze your waist when you bloat from too many airport snacks. Being jeans though, they still add a touch of stylishness. I have also been known to wear loose dungarees, which are comfy, but beware: they’re a nightmare to go to the loo in. To be sure, I’ll avoid skinny jeans on a plane like I will saying the word bomb. Too uncomfortable to fathom.

For the top half, the choice is relatively simple: any loose t-shirt or jumper will do, with the coat I’m planning on wearing on at my destination over the top. I also like to add a touch of very light make-up and maybe some jewellery, just to make the day feel a bit special, but nothing too cumbersome or over the top. There’s also the question of practicality; frequent Ryanair fliers will know the pain of sweltering under layers upon layers of clothes that won’t fit in the one free day bag. But for £17 flights to Barcelona, I guess you have to suffer.

So, if you ever catch me at the airport, the above is what I’ll likely be wearing, looking good end feeling comfy all at the same time. Of course, striking this balance will look different for everyone, but to finish I’ll leave you with some general rules that are vital for comfort on the plane. Firstly, nothing new – if you’re not used to it you run the risk of it being uncomfortable, and then your plane journey’s ruined. Secondly, if you choose a certain aesthetic, make sure to go for the comfortable version of it, like a sporty look without a tight sports bra, or casual chic with quality material and loose. Which brings me on to the final point: loose clothing all the way. There’s nothing worse than being trapped on a plane in clothes that are uncomfortably tight. With that, I wish you a comfortable and stylish bon voyage.