What to wear for the flight
you're gonna want pockets
For several years, when a long flight beckoned, I reached for my Aday joggers. Shiny and sleek, they recall the trash bag suit worn by Missy Elliot in The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) music video (iconic), except less voluminous and with pockets that zip, v. handy for stashing IDs, folded in half boarding passes, ear plugs, etc.
A few months ago, they lost their draw. Wider legged pants had spread, and in their wake (vast, the width of a JNCO pant leg circa 1998) my faithful joggers struck me as … basic.
Don’t get me wrong, basic is not inherently bad. Sometimes you want basic. Jiffy Peanut Butter on Saltines and tomatoes on white bread — sublime! But given the barrel, balloon, and parachute pants on display, the joggers felt dated. They failed to spark joy. When you frequent airports, you need all the joy you can get.
The search for new flight pants began in December. While I’ve yet to find my go-to, I’ve pulled on several that come close — your friend’s been on 14 flights since January and girl’s gotta wear SOMETHING, per T.S.A. rules.
On that note: never fly in a romper. I did it once, forgot, and did it again. A zipper rubbing against your bare skin for the duration of a five hour flight from Los Angeles to Orlando is one thing, the bathroom situation, a whole other. Do not recommend!
To the board!
I wanted to join the cult of Pleats Please but their pants do not flatter my figure (the saleswoman at Mohawk said that many women feel the same way). These Anine Bings boast pleats, an elastic waistband that lays flat, and gently flared legs that drape artfully over your travel shoes. (RE: that, you’ve gotta do what’s best for your sole, I’m currently toggling between Flower Mountain sneaks and Prada platforms.)
Other pants I have not tried but fit the vibe: Tibi’s Crispy Nylon cargos (got curb appeal way beyond the plane, I’d wear them to the klerb), jersey pants from Roucha whose ads have been following me for weeks, forest green flight pants from Citizen of Humanity if you can get on board with the notion of a button and a zip (they threw in three percent elastane, praise be).
If your pants don’t have pockets (the one drawback of the Anine Bings) a denim jacket can easily assist; I veer to statement makers like the Basquiat. This Rag & Bone reminds me of Monet. But an oversize Levi’s trucker totally does the trick and you can make it your own with pins and patches if you, like Jennifer Aniston’s boss in Office Space, desire flair. (37 pieces might be overkill but who’s to say!)
The hooded sweatshirt protects you from overbearing A/C and chatty Cathys; I like Madhappy’s because they’re thick and machine washable. Underneath it all: an AYR base layer. I have three of their Supercool Tees (two white, one black) and am absolutely considering copping their heather gray tank for wherever this summer’s adventures take me (here’s hoping there’s a yacht).
I also love the opportunity to broadcast my personality with a cheeky tee, like this.
And if you’re still in camp jogger — MORE POWER TO YOU! — while Aday no longer sells my old faithfuls, they’re available secondhand. These Alos are similar.
What are your in-flight essentials? Do tell in the comments!
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