Flighty Fashion: Take Off In Style & Comfort
Written by: Swati on:
One of the best things about a holiday is the excuse to
invest in a brand new summer wardrobe. However, while most of us have no
problem stockpiling sandals, sunglasses, sarongs and swimming costumes for the
pool or beach, we often neglect to plan the travel attire that will actually
get us there.
Choosing clothes that are both airport-friendly and
aeroplane-friendly is important to ensure you start and end your trip on a
high. With long queues, cramped seats and security scanners an inevitable part
of most people’s travels, it’s worth making the effort to dress appropriately.
Head to toe, here are
some top tips to ensure you take-off in style and comfort:
Let your hair down
With artificial controlled temperatures and low moisture
levels, air travel can often leave our hair looking a little worse for wear.
Tie your hair up to prevent knotting and tangling – topknots and low-side
ponytails both comfortable and practical options for a low maintenance
in-flight hair-do. If you’d prefer to wear your hair loose, cotton headbands
look great and will help keep your hair off your face.
Eau de detergent
It’s often tempting to drench ourselves in the high-end
perfume samples from airport duty-free, but be warned. The closed, cramped
conditions of an aeroplane mean scents are intensified, and just because you
love that fruity new Dior perfume, doesn’t mean your neighbour will. Be
considerate of others tastes and possible allergies – asthma sufferers in
particular will be highly sensitive to anything floating in the already
recycled stale plane air. Instead, get a load of laundry on before you
leave. When your clothes are freshly washed, you can be confident that laundry
detergent alone is enough to keep you naturally smelling as pleasant as any
posh perfume. Just remember to read the instructions on the care label and on
your detergent to ensure you wash your new summer wardrobe correctly – and don’t
be afraid to seek tips online about laundry for
difficult fabrics.
Breathe deep
When travelling it’s important to let your skin breathe.
Stick to items made from breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk.
Choose simple, loose-fitting cuts that are flattering but not constricting;
linen trousers and maxi-dresses are both sophisticated and suitable for flying.
Light-weight
fabrics will pack down neatly in your suitcase and are also useful when it comes
to doing your laundry as they’re easy to wash and will dry quickly.
Layer up
One of the more difficult things to consider when dressing
for travel are the varying temperatures you will experience. Air-conditioned
airports and aeroplanes can often be chilly, while stuffy queues and exotic
climates can often have you breaking into a sweat before you’ve even stepped
outside. Layering garments is not only the most effective way to keep warm, but
will also mean you can strip off easily to cool down. Lightweight jackets and
cardigans can be tied around your waist, while pashminas are an elegant way to
accessorise your outfit and keep warm – even doubling-up as a blanket if need
be!
Ditch the bling
Accessories such as belts and jewellery might be part of
your everyday wardrobe, but when travelling abroad, it’s best to ditch anything
that’s likely to irritate the skin – or, more annoyingly, set off the security
scanner. No matter how stylish your outfit, stripping off in front of an
impatient queue is never going to make you popular, and you’ll save yourself a
lot of time and bother by keeping it simple in the first place. It’s best to
steer clear of anything that contains metal, steering clear of any clasps,
zippers, and even under-wired bras – now that would be embarrassing to remove later.
Put a sock in it
If you really can’t bear to part from your
beloved flip-flops, pack a pair of socks so that if you are forced to remove
your shoes, you’ll have something to pop on as you walk through security. Spare
socks will also come in extremely handy in-flight when all you want to do is
curl up and have a little snooze with your shoes off. Always choose a
pair of shoes that you are comfortable in as you could end up on your feet and
walking miles between terminals and boarding gates. We recommend cute slip-on
pumps or espadrilles. Avoid high heels at all costs, not only are they highly
unpractical but they’re also to blame for a number of medical problems such as
chronic foot pain and hammer toe.
Ultimately, though, travel is all about
having fun and embarking on an adventure, so don’t be afraid to mix up your
wardrobe and try something a little different! Let us know what
tried-and-tested outfits you travel in in the comments below, and have a great
holiday!
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