With more than twenty years spent traversing the globe, a professional travel writer has clocked up an astonishing number of air miles, including over 103,000 miles across five continents this year alone. From New Zealand to Egypt, Canada to Malaysia, her journeys have taught her one crucial lesson: what you wear on a plane matters immensely. She has developed a fail-safe system based on seven essential items to ensure comfort, safety, and even a chance at a better seat.
The Core Principles of In-Flight Comfort
The cornerstone of her approach is adaptability. Aircraft cabin temperatures are notoriously unpredictable; you could be shivering in a T-shirt en route to the Caribbean or sweltering in a fleece heading to the ski slopes. Dressing for the destination, she warns, is a common mistake. Instead, she advocates for a layered, practical strategy designed specifically for the unique environment of an aeroplane cabin, where comfort and practicality must come before style.
The Seven Non-Negotiable Items
The 'Scarf Hammock': This versatile accessory is a recent but game-changing addition. More than just an extra layer, a large shawl or scarf can be ingeniously transformed into a footrest. The method is simple: tie the ends into a knot, hook it behind the tray table of the seat in front, and place your feet in the resulting loop. This clever hack is particularly transformative for passengers enduring long-haul flights in economy class.
Elasticated Trousers: You will never find this traveller in shorts or a dress mid-flight. Trousers are essential for protecting skin from minor scrapes and cabin hazards. Crucially, she emphasises the need for a forgiving, elasticated waistband. The science of flying causes expansion—much like an unopened bag of crisps—making anything tight around the midsection deeply uncomfortable.
Compression Socks: While they may not win any fashion awards, their medical benefit is undeniable. Sitting immobile for extended periods, especially in economy, increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal blood clot. She dons compression socks before takeoff on long journeys and removes them after landing, noting they are less critical in business class where you can properly elevate your feet.
Long-Sleeved T-Shirt: Selecting a top made from a breathable, natural material like cotton is key. A long-sleeved design offers optimal protection for the arms and is the perfect first layer for managing the cabin's erratic temperature shifts, keeping you warm without overheating.
Trainers or Comfortable Shoes: Safety drills explicitly instruct women to remove high heels during an evacuation to avoid piercing the slide. Therefore, all heels should be packed away. The ideal choice is a pair of comfortable, closed-toe trainers worn with socks. Flip-flops or bare feet are strongly discouraged due to the often filthy state of aircraft floors, particularly in the lavatories.
No Belts or Metal: To streamline the airport security process and avoid unnecessary frisking, she forgoes belts entirely. Even with advanced scanning technology in many UK airports, older systems are still in use elsewhere. As a substitute for metallic jewellery, she opts for a beaded necklace.
A Smart Jacket: This final piece serves a dual purpose. If you are hoping to catch the eye of the cabin crew for a potential upgrade, a smart jacket can elevate an otherwise casual outfit of jeans and a T-shirt. Furthermore, it provides a handy extra layer of warmth that is easy to put on or take off as needed.
Why This System Works
This meticulously curated wardrobe is the product of two decades of trial and error at 30,000 feet. It prioritises health (combating DVT), safety (appropriate footwear, no trip hazards), and practical comfort above all else. By integrating these seven items, travellers can create a personal comfort zone, making even the longest economy flight more bearable. The advice is clear: plan your flight outfit as carefully as your itinerary.
