What do you wear to travel in?

I do a lot of long-haul flying, and always wear natural fibres. Cotton undies, no underwired bras.Soft, knit trousers and teeshirts. Layers are important, and never underestimate how cold it can be during a long flight. A pashmina is essential. Things with pockets to store valuables, medications, earplugs for easy access during the flight. Always carry spare socks and knickers in your handluggage - it's great to have a sponge-down and change halfway through a 28 hour flight.

Getting a free upgrade is very much a thing of the past. Airlines sometimes ask for people who are willing to take a later flight and will then give them an upgrade.
I have flown business class ( on business) and no one looks any smarter than those in who turned right. In fact they are more likely to be casually dressed.
For long haul I always wear velour leisure trousers and a fleece. I have a friend who steps off the plane from Seatle looking like she is going out for dinner but really it is too much effort

Can I join the discussion and agree regarding chilly long haul flights. You can ask for a blanket (economy flights charge). I read recently that it's recommended to wear slippers on a long haul flight. I'm worried that my feet might swell and then I'd be unable to get my shoes on when I arrive. Can anyone advise re slippers?

Hong Kong airport is particularly chilly but if you have a long wait between flights it's a good idea to book a lounge where you can have a shower, comfy chairs and food - also a bed for a couple of hours if you book in advance. Business class passengers have a lounge included in the price (flight price about four times as much as economy!!).

Pressure stockings (fine ones or the thick ones if you prefer) should help to prevent your feet swelling, but how about sandals with adjustable straps just in case?

They should provide blankets and little pillows on long haul.

Blankets, pillows, a pack with socks, toothbrush etc etc - we have never been charged yet

We get upgraded fairly often. We've just been to America and were upgraded on both the outbound and inbound trips!

We both belong to BA's frequent flyer club and been Silver & Gold club members when Dh was working and I think that's why we've been lucky. I understand that when looking to move/upgrade people, the airline looks at its 'loyal' customers first, then people travelling alone, couples without children and so on.

Re linen trousers creasing, mine are so old they're nice and soft and don't really get crushed now. In any case, after 24 hours travelling I'm usually beyond caring what I look like!

I wear my usual long vest, brogues and j/leggings as a base layer. Plus long or boyfriend cardi in a non-crease material to take off/put on as temperature demands. And a pashmina for all the reasons stated already.

Depends where I'm going but I want to share something I heard a couple of days ago about flying.

None of us wants to think about the plane crash landing but in 2 recent incidents many passengers stopped to get their belongings from the overhead lockers which delays everyone and could cause death. The expert said he always picks up one of the ziplock bags and puts his phone, passport and a credit card in it then keeps it on his person. He said that then he could cope wherever he crash landed. He suggested that the reason people go to the lockers might be to get these important things. I think that is an excellent idea.

Most of my travel is by ferry/car or train. I rarely travel by air. I just wear my usual daytime wear; trousers, top and jacket. My only concession to travel is to always wear flat shoes or boots, no shoes with heels, no matter how kittenish, in case I have to walk round the ferry in rough weather.

Very good advice Nonnie. A few years ago I made a little neck purse from an old silk shirt (so it was very thin), just large enough for the passport, bank card and a bit of money. I wore it if I felt I was in dodgy areas but now I will wear it on flights.

Good advice, Nonnie!

Seemercloud mentioned slippers. For years I travelled in a pair of soft leather flat mules. They were so ideal as didn't matter if feet swelled a bit. They were by a company called I think Soul if Africa & I've tried to find more without success. If anyone finds them please let us know, they were so great on all counts & it was a sorry day when I had to part with them.

Also meant to say am a big Rohan fan but nearly always buy in the sale, huge reductions & I'm not worried about the new season's fashions. Just got a pair of Rambler trousers for less than half price, they will be great for flying. Only probem is nothing ever wears out!

Linen trousers do crease but are soooo comfy. T. shirt and loose cardi with flat old comfy slip ons! Light scarf in summer for the air con flights. Speaking of travelling and packing- off on our first cruise in 2 weeks to celebrate our Ruby anniversary. Luggage allowance isn't much 20kg and carry on is a meagre 5kg! Any tips on what to take and what not to take? No
Posh frocks Or dinner suits for us- that's no holiday!!

Annie whenever I've been abroad to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries etc. I've packed silk dresses and tops. Jersey silk does not crease and is very light weight.
Woven silk can crease, but a steamy bathroom sorts it out!

I've got my 'magic' cream trouser suit for long long-haul flights from Birmingham via Dubai to Singapore or Bangkok with Emirates. Book sardine section, have always been upgraded! First upgrade, one of the check in girls told me how nice I looked and sighed that people didn't make an effort these days, and that she was going to find me a wider seat so that my 'beautiful suit' didn't get crushed? Hence the upgrade. It was my talisman for all subsequent flights with them.
Now, tho, I travel Heathrow/North Carolina a couple of times a year. My 'uniform' for this is a velour jump suit. So comfortable and crush proof it's like wearing pjs for the night flight back and still looks good.. Love it.
Agree the pashmine for its multi purpose uses.
Before the flights have even taken off I've got some Next little slippers on. They come in a handy little drawstring bag with matching sleepmask.

Just to add. When packing linen I spray starch when ironing and roll the items for packing it results in less creasing.

I never fly without a pashmina, they can keep you warm and roll up to a pillow.

Just for fun
whilst loosing the will to live waiting at the. Airport' check in',
take a little look at the
Fashion/ Comfort clothing of those on UK flights
and then take a shufty at the IIalian or French passangers waiting on their return flights.

Clothes with lots of pockets! Elastic waisted cargo trousers plus one of those special travel waistcoats with a long sleevd cotton Tshirt. I always wear my walking boots as they are bulky to pack and heavy to carry, once we've taken off I take them off and pad around the plane in socks.

I used to do a lot of long haul business flying, thankfully in business class, and yes the velour very smart tracksuit was a godsend. Always a pashmina, then in hand baggage something warm to put on when arriving in London in midwinter, and something smart if I was being met in a hot climate. Even now that I travel budget airline frequently between France and London I cannot ever wear an anorak or fleece!!! I only take hand baggage as I keep a load of stuff in England (including fleece and anorak!) so dress reasonably smartly and comfortably as door to door can be as much as ten hours.

I am in the process of designing my Syriana coat - anagram of Ryanair - well almost - which will have lots of pockets and zips to put things in - like cheddar cheese and puff pastry!

I have already designed the Syriana handbag and use mine all the time. It has a pocket to fit passport, one for mobile, one for papers and pills, a padded but thin cover for Kindle and a double zipped purse - one side for French cards and money and the other for English. It is squashes down so can put put in the top of handbaggage easily and so complies with frustrating hand baggage regs. Anyone interested contact me!

I have a travel vest with pockets and a pair of trousers with zipped pockets. I also have a number of Rohan items, a gilet, a light weight coat with an inner pocket. And a 3 pocket Zip up bum bag from Kipling.

www.kipling.com/uk-en/

I pack a small cloth bag in my hand luggage and anything I take out i.e kindle I put it in the bag.

I do not keep anything that matters in the overhead locker so, if circumstances demand, I am free to get up and walk with phone, passport, purse all attached!!

As someone has already said Rohan stuff lasts for ever.

My feet always swell on long haul, so I wear my Clarks Un sandals, that have velcro adjustments, so I have them adjusted quite loose, to allow for swelling. I also exercise my feet and legs as much as possible when sitting.

I always have a very light but soft long scarf, as my neck gets cold sometimes.Makes an outfit look a bit more stylish too. Elastic waist but well fitting smart trousers,plus lipsyl and moisturiser, as I get so dehydrated. I buy a big bottle of water when through security.

I have a small light Kipling crossbody bag under my seat, ready to grab, with passports/tickets/money, Kindle, mints and everything I need for the flight.

Aren't the pockets a nuisance when going through security? Flying to America in June, security insisted all pockets were empty. I suppose it makes a change from taking your shoes off!

Trousers with lots of pockets is how DS may travel, but I don't want to look any larger than I already do.