The Modern Femme travels, le Part One



Air France, Vintage Art Print

I've spent my fair share of time on planes, first as the daughter of two Foreign Service officers, and then as an international aid worker.  Because of that, I am obsessed with air travel advice.  If there's been an article about what to wear on a plane, explanations of mid-flight skin care and makeup regimes, and general musings on how to pass the time in flight, I've read it.  Most likely on a Friday night, with a big old glass of wine. 

You say, um that's kind of weird, I say, yep, but love me anyway. 

Because I've spent long hours crammed into small seats in aluminum tubes rocketing through the sky (or perched in front of my computer watching random videos on travel), I've had some time to ponder the do's and dont's for traveling femmes.

These thoughts fall into three general categories:  sartorial advice (le part one and le part two), skin-care and beauty (le part three) and general tips (le part four).  In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm really talking about longer flights here (four or more hours).  For shorter flights, y'all are on your own, lovies.  Now, if you'll direct your attention below...

Le Part One: Pack those pj's...or, why you don't have to wear your jammies.

I get it.  I do.  You have a long flight ahead of you. The appeal of slipping on your comfortable plaid pajama bottoms is a siren call you simply can't resist.  After all, you want to be comfortable if you're going to be crammed in an economy seat for hours upon end, right?

My dear readers, resist.  Stick your fingers in your ears (my doctor once told me to never stick anything smaller than my elbow in my ear, and it took me forever to realize that he meant leave your darn ears alone because of course you can't stick your elbow in your ear, but I digress), and put those Victoria Secret Pink pajama bottoms down.  I know of what I speak: I've worn my pajamas on long flights and let me tell you:  it's not worth it.  Here's why:

1.  Yes, you might be comfortable, but you look like a schlub, and if you're honest with yourself, you probably feel like a schlub.  And life is too short, dear readers, to feel like a schlub by choice.
2.  You're in public.  Let me say this again.  You have left the confines of your house wearing your pajamas and you're amongst strangers.  In your bedclothes.  Think about that for a second. 
3.  Your choice of clothes indicates your level of respect for your surroundings.  Before you sniff this one off, hear me out.  Would you wear your pajamas to meet the President?  Probably not.  You'd probably wear nice clothes, as a show of respect for the office and the solemnity of the occasion.  Am I right?  Okay, so now tell me - following that same train of thought, what does it say when you show up at the boarding gate in your pajamas?  Something along the lines of "I don't give a #$%." 
4.  It's been noted in multiple travel articles that people who dress nicely are more likely to receive better service.  Think about that the next time you're stewing over your seat assignment.

Here's the good news: when traveling, you can be comfortable in clothes that were made to be worn out of your bedroom.  The following three options are plane-friendly and most importantly, you-friendly.

Eileen Fisher Silk-Georgette Pants



Option 1:  Pants with a side zipper.

There's nothing worse than being halfway through an eight hour flight and feeling your pant zipper and button bite into your belly.  Skin indentations, anyone?  Pants with a side zipper means that your belly is swathed in fabric instead of toothy zippers and burrowing buttons.   Look for pants that have stretch material in them for extra movement and comfort. 

I had a pair of pants like this from the Limited that I loved wearing on flights, because not only were they comfortable, but they were multi-purpose.  They could go from the airplane to the office to dinner to sight-seeing and back!  Try doing all that in your pjs.

Option 2:  Leggings.

Leggings, lovely.



At the risk of starting a sartorial fist fight here, I'm just going to go ahead and state my position:  leggings are not pants.  Pants are pants. Leggings are tights on steroids.  Just so that we're clear.  Also, see #clothingbestwornbythoseunder35. 



However, having said that, leggings worn under a tunic top or dress can look really cute.  And, leggings, while not pants, have the advantage of not being pajama bottoms either.  Ergo, leggings FTW!



DIY Details at LOVELYish





Suggestion 3:  The long skirt.

For the life of me, I cannot understand why long skirts are so rarely worn.  I love me a long skirt - no worries about flashing anyone/thing, it keeps you cool but covered up, and most of all - it's comfortable!  And yet, long skirts seem to be relegated to the back of many a closet.

Nonsense, I say.  Throw a leather jacket over a maxi skirt for an edgy look, sling a chunky belt round it for some definition, or pair it with some fun stripes like this lovely lady on the right.



See? She looks super cute.  And for mobility, comfort and ease of wear, you can't beat traveling in a skirt.

So there you have it, readers.  That is my opening salvo on the war against pajamas in flight.  These three options, I promise you, will  be just as comfortable as your pjs, but will make you look much, much better.  So, put the pajamas away, ladies. Or pack 'em.

I'm signing off for now to go tackle "The modern femme travels, le part two."  Until then my cheries, hit me up with your thoughts in the comments section, and be well.

xoxo,
MF