How to find the right outfit for a long haul flight

As a travel writer, I’ve been on a fair share of long haul flights, including the longest one on record—New York to Singapore for 18 hours and 40 minutes. As daunting as they may seem, long hauls have their perks: If you’re lucky, you can actually get through a few rounds of REM; you don’t have to stress over making your connection flight; and there are almost always snacks up for grabs, at all times, in the galley. 

But knowing how to dress for a long haul, so that you’re comfortable for those 12-plus hours, can be a tricky thing to plan. I’ve learned a few things along the way, and would like to say I’ve gotten the airplane fit down to a science. Perhaps the best thing about a long haul is the permission to afford yourself a little fashion grace—you’re flying halfway across the world, after all. 

Layers are key

This goes for any flight you’re on, whether it’s a three-hour jaunt or an international red-eye: Dress in layers. Not only does the air temperature fluctuate drastically during a flight — this has to do with a decrease in atmospheric temperature and an increase in altitude — but it’s also likely to change between your destination of departure and arrival. 

So make sure you’ve got a breathable T-Shirt, a sweater or a hoodie, and maybe even a jacket — depending on where you’re going. I’m a big fan of an oversized cashmere scarf, which feels very luxe and can double as a blanket. I generally steer clear of fabrics that attract lint — fleece, corduroy, and synthetic blends — because between your well-worn airplane seat, recycled airline blanket, and Biscoff cookies, you’re likely to be covered in debris by the time you get off the plane. 

Lean into soft pants

I hate to break it to you, but you’re probably going to experience some form of bloating on a long haul flight. This can be explained by a number of factors: changes in cabin pressure and altitude, salty airplane food, dehydration, and prolonged sitting. So do yourself a favor and leave the hard pants at home. Anything with an elastic waistband — leggings, sweatpants, trousers billed as “commuter pants” — are your best bet. 

Make sure your shoes can easily slip off

Of course it’s always handy to wear your slip-on shoes to the airport, so that you can move through the ever-stressful security gate with ease. But it’s especially important to wear them on a long haul flight, where you’ll want to be moving around more than usual. A slip on clog or or sneaker without laces will prove useful when switching from moments of sleep to stretch-fueled aisle walks. 

Don’t sleep on compression socks

Compression socks are the kind of thing you don’t know you need until you try them for the first time. When you’re sitting for hours on end on a long haul, you could be prone to decreased circulation, an increased risk of blood clots, and swelling around the ankles. Compression socks exert pressure on the legs, which promotes blood flow. I like to wear a knee-length pair, which are not the chicest socks on the planet, but go unnoticed underneath my yoga pants.