"What on earth are you wearing?" my best friend asks, staring at me in utter disbelief. It is 6am and we have met at Luton airport, ready for a flight to Lisbon for a weekend away. I am dressed in platform wedges and a dress - she is in trainers and a matching grey tracksuit.
While it might sound as though I have dolled up for a special occasion, that is not the case at all. This is my standard airport attire, a personal fashion statement I uphold regardless of the destination or time of day.
The Winter Version: Riga Ready
On a recent trip to Riga, Latvia, I was dressed much the same - albeit in a more winter-appropriate manner. Black trousers, a fur coat, and my trusty heeled boots were my uniform this time around. I never wear stilettos, though, as I would not ignore the safety risk associated with heels that could puncture an escape slide in case of an emergency.
Comfort Versus Style: A Personal Choice
Why, you might ask, would I wear something so potentially uncomfortable on board when I could opt for something more pyjama-esque like my fellow passengers? Despite what you might think, it has nothing to do with wanting a last-minute upgrade. In fact, I have never even asked for one - nor been offered.
And even though I believe each to their own, and would never judge or question someone else's outfit choice, my reasons for dressing up are threefold and deeply personal.
Reason One: The Parisian Influence
First and foremost, you will never ever catch me in tracksuits or activewear outside of the gym or my own home. Having spent several years of my life living in Paris, I know this is perhaps the number one fashion rule French women abide by. You will never spot a true Parisienne in leggings and a hoodie in public, and that ethos has stuck with me.
Reason Two: No Excuse for Slovenliness
Secondly, taking a flight - especially a short-haul one - is no excuse for slovenliness. Last year, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged travellers taking flights to dress better on board, and I have to say, I agree wholeheartedly.
Gone are the days when taking a flight was the height of sophistication - back when women wore dresses and hats and men wore suits. But a girl can dream. We may live in an era where UGG boots, tracksuits, and oversized fleeces are the most common sights on planes, but I feel differently. I would much rather give up two hours of excess comfort to look my best, even if that view is controversial.
Reason Three: Projecting Confidence
Finally, I believe the way we dress projects both an external image and helps to reflect how we want to feel on the inside. When people stare at me at the gate and on board, I do not even mind - I know I might look ridiculous to some, but at least I feel put-together and confident.
Dressing for the Life You Want
We all know that age-old adage: 'Dress for the life you want, not for the life you have.' When I am flying, this is how I want to feel. I do not want to be a tired, sleepy twentysomething heading on a budget weekend away. I would much rather convince myself I am a glamorous, sophisticated jet-setter, a la Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy, waltzing on board with a black coffee in hand and a (fake) designer handbag in the other.
This approach is not for everyone, but for me, choosing fashion over comfort at the airport is a small act of self-expression that sets the tone for my entire journey.
