What To Wear On A Plane Trip-Traveling In Style

A few weeks ago, I received this email. “Do you have any suggestions on what to wear on the plane especially when on vacation going from a cold climate to a hot one? I would like to look nice but need to be comfortable too.”

What To Wear On A Plane Trip-Traveling In Style

As you probably know, my sister and I are headed to San Francisco tomorrow so I thought a post on What To Wear On a Plane Trip might be appropriate.

I’m sure some of you are going to be traveling this year too! Whether you’re going from a cold climate to a warm one or a warm climate to a cold one, layering is the way to go. Also, being comfortable is a must.

Did you know that years ago people actually dressed up when riding a plane? Men wore suits and women wore dresses. Of course that was way before 9/11.

Here are some things NOT TO WEAR on a plane trip:

  • High heels. You never know if you’re going to have to run to catch another flight.
  • Pajama pants. We can do better than this, right?
  • Lots of jewelry. We don’t want to hold up the line, place jewelry in your carry-on and put it back on when you reach your destination.

Here are some things TO WEAR on a plane trip:

  • Layers. Wear a tank top with a light sweater, or a jacket with pockets, or a cardigan. If you need to, wear a coat too.  
  • Ballet flats. They’re cute and comfortable and perfect if you have to remove your shoes to be scanned. (I’m putting socks in my carry on bag in case my feet get cold on the plane.)
  • Comfortable clothes. You can be comfortable and still dress cute when traveling. Wear leggings, jeans with some spandex or a long maxi skirt.

I put together a couple of outfits that would work great on a plane ride.

This outfit is from JCPenney and the ballet flats are from Gap.

What To Wear On A Plane Trip-Traveling In Style

Floral soft pants-JCpenney//Boatneck sweater-JCPenney//White Tank Top-JCPenney//Ballet flats-Gap

This outfit is Matilda Jane. (Remember that Matilda Jane party I had the other day?)

What To Wear On A Plane Trip-Traveling In Style

This is a classic look and are basic pieces we already have in our wardrobe.

What To Wear On A Plane Trip-Traveling In Style

White t-shirt-Target//Cardigan-Target//Infinity scarf-Target//Leopard flats-Target//Jeans-INC//Trench Coat-Gap

Do you have any last minute suggestions on what to wear on a plane trip? I would love to hear any of your great ideas!

I’ll be sharing pictures from San Francisco on Instagram if you would like to follow along. You can follow me here.

Beauty For the Heart~~Outward appearances of success do not always indicate faith, and outward appearances of failure do not always reflect a lack of faith. -Henry Blackaby

Have a blessed day!

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  1. I remember when we dressed up to fly. Flying in the ’60’s and early ’70’s was quite an experience! Now it’s more like riding the bus in the sky. Sigh.

    I would add a couple of tips to yours to help people who try not to check luggage. I never check bags if I don’t have to!

    –Wear a jacket/light coat. You’ll have to place it in a bin when you go through security, but you can put it right back on. If you don’t need to wear it on the plane, you can use it as a blanket or roll it up and use it as a lumbar support pillow.
    –Comfortable shoes are a must, but here’s a tip: wear your biggest shoes–that is, wear the ones that would take up the most space in your luggage. For most of the year I wear comfortable boots when I fly. Most of my boots are zip-up boots, so they go off and on very quickly. I would not recommend wearing boots that are hard to go on and off! For long flights, pop in a cheap pair of “footies”–they’ll keep your feet warm during the flight if you want to remove your shoes.
    –Don’t wear a belt that can set off a metal detector. If you do wear a belt, be prepared to remove it and place it in a bin to go through security. Most jewelry won’t be a problem, but some large watches and chunky necklaces can be. A scarf is a better option than a necklace.
    –Don’t carry a purse. Instead, pack your wallet and other essentials in the outside pocket of your overnight bag and place your empty purse in your small roller bag. You can carry on two items–the overnight bag will count as your “personal item” because it’ll fit easily under the seat in front of you. The small roller bag will go in the overhead bin or be gate-checked.
    –Keep medications in your overnight bag which will be under the seat in front of you. That way, if you need to take something during the flight, you won’t have to haul out your roller bag.

  2. Your tips are right on! We went to the Bahamas in December and you had to pay for a pillow and blanket if you wanted one! Yikes!! So definitely layers. It does get chilly on the plane. Praying for you today as you travel on that plane. Trust in Gods provision and comfort. You’ll be there before you know it. Have a blast with Traci!

  3. I love the Penney’s outfit. Hope the pants come in petite. Will be checking them out.
    We just flew twice last week to Orlando and back. You do not have to take jewelry off now! Yay!! I almost always wear comfortable jeans, socks, boots or other slip on shoes during the summer. Flats are not comfortable for me to wear down the long concourses. I also wear or take a scarf which is very good to have on hand for cold planes and can be stuffed in my carry on if not needed. We have been pre-screened several times now and you don’t have to take off jackets or take liquids out or shoes off, etc., unless they have steel shanks.

    P.S. Are the titles of your emails going to be RSS feed for http://cyndispivey.com/feed going to be permanent?

  4. 1. That J Crew cardi is my go-to. I have it in three colors.
    2. I like flats too but always take a pair of footie socks for security. I mean, thousands of others have walked through there barefoot. Ew. I slip them on as I slip off my shoes and fold them inside themselves as I put my shoes back on.

  5. Carrie ,this is what I was thinking too, that what is suggested for flying is also great for those long road trips…… blessings Linda

  6. I could not agree more with your suggestions. My husband flies a great deal for business, so we spend a good deal of time in airports. The only thing I would add….ladies, please don’t let the gentlemen in your lives wear shorts on the plane. Too often I’ve found my seat mate in shorts and without the ability to understand personal space. I just don’t want to spend a four hour flight trying to not touch a strangers hairy legs.
    Have a great trip!

  7. The bottom one is me! I do go with yoga pants, white t-shirt, cardigan, scarf and flats. Always wear socks to travel. I hate to walk barefoot thru security and my feet get cold on the plane. Minimal jewelry is a must! If I want to wear something I put it in my purse to go thru security then put it on once thru. Not holding anyone up and I get to wear my cute bracelet and necklace!

  8. Thanks for the great ideas Cyndi! Those yoga pants are really cute! I ended up wearing beige pants that convert into capris, a black T shirt (always spill my coffee if I wear white), layered with a cardigan and thin rain jacket. I wore running shoes and tucked some flipflops into my handbag. Have a wonderful trip to SF!

  9. This is so funny because I am currently packing to go from Wisconsin to Hawaii a week from now! Your suggestions are pretty much exactly what I am planning already! Nice, unadorned black yoga pants (with a little tummy control), patterned tank top, cardigan, ballet flats with flip flops going in my carry on for once we arrive! I heard it’s bad to wear jeans and other tight clothing on long flights.

  10. When traveling from a cold climate to a warm climate, I wear a pair of lightweight jeans that I cuff when I land in the warmer climate. I also wear a tank or tee under a cardigan.

  11. A pashmina is a must for me as well and socks just in case I’m cold.
    Can’t wait to hear all about your trip since I am planning to be in SF next fall. Have a great time!

  12. A pashmina is a must.Also I carry an extra top just in case I spill anything on me.I certainly do not want to land with a messy top,eating on a plane is not easy.

  13. I definitely agree with layering. My experience is that it’s almost always cold on the plane, especially if you have a window seat. My go-to outfit is jeans with a fitted t-shirt and a cardigan. If it’s a long flight and I think I’ll be sleeping, I carry a pashmina in my carry-on to use as a blanket. I always wear a flat, casual shoe and socks (I don’t like going through security barefoot). Can’t wait to hear about your trip! Have a great time!