Should you still dress as if you’re travelling first-class … when you’re not?

Should you still dress as if you’re travelling first-class even when you’re not?

The age of jet-set glamour ended for me two years ago when I saw a woman in cartoon-pink pyjamas and fluffy slippers board a plane at Auckland airport. To be fair, she was one of the better-dressed people at the gate.

I was raised in the mistaken belief that a smart Gucci loafer and navy blazer with polished buttons to rival those of the pilot could score you an upgrade. Today, you need a frequent-flyer account with more zeroes than a Kardashian’s pay cheque to gain entry to the Velcro-curtained confines at the front of the plane. And now celebrities are dialling down their wardrobes for airport paparazzi, offering a new, loose and layered formula for sky-high style.

Margot Robbie, in baggy, low-rise jeans, nails casual cool. Jeans, or wide-leg sweatpants, give you the freedom to engage dynamic yoga moves to get from the middle seat to the aisle for a mid-air bathroom run. Jeans are my preference, since they can withstand a spill after turbulence or a tray mishap. Robbie’s white T-shirt is ambitious but suitable for layering beneath long sleeves in a breathable fabric to combat unexpected air-con blasts.

Step into the ballet-flat revival for stress-free travel, but make sure there’s room for swollen toes: bare feet, mid-flight, are as questionable as cartoon-pink pyjamas.

Got a style conundrum? Email damien.woolnough@nine.com.au

Read more from fashion editor Damien Woolnough:

• How to layer knits like a pro: The secret to staying warm without the bulk
• A ’90s footwear trend is coming back – but this time, it should be easier
• The season’s new jacket style has an added bonus
  
• An old-school rain accessory just might be making a comeback
  
• Autumn style: Structured ’80s silhouettes, precise tailoring and high-impact accessories
  
• How can I continue to get wear out of my black and grey jumpers without being boring?
  

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