What to wear on a long flight

Short answer: Choose loose layered clothing, avoid tight waistbands, and bring something to layer on top. The cabin is cool, but your body warms up while you sleep, and layers solve both.

A loose waistband over a tight one

Cabin pressure makes many people swell slightly, and a tight waistband only grows more uncomfortable over time. A soft waistband does not bother you even after eight hours, since it moves with your body. See bamboo underwear for women.

Layers over one thick piece

Temperature shifts during a flight, from cool at boarding to warm mid-sleep. Two thin layers can be adjusted, one thick one cannot. See bamboo clothing for women.

Your feet get cold first

Socks are the thing most often forgotten and most missed once the cabin cools down after a couple of hours in the air. See bamboo socks for women.

The same clothes must work in the airport

You walk far through the terminal and then sit still for hours on the plane afterward. Your clothes need to handle both without pinching or getting too warm along the way. See bamboo t-shirt for women.

Avoid stiff fabrics

Woven fabrics with little stretch quickly feel uncomfortable when you sit for many hours straight without a chance to stand up. Knit fabrics move with your body and bother you less after a long, motionless flight.

Bring an extra layer in your carry-on

Cabin crew can rarely change the temperature, and it varies from flight to flight, depending on how full the cabin is. A thin extra layer in your carry-on means you can adjust it yourself without waiting for a blanket that might never arrive.

Think about arrival

If you need to keep moving right after landing, many people choose something that still looks presentable after many hours in the same clothes. Knit material wrinkles less and looks better at baggage claim than stiff fabric.

Sleep needs room to move

Tight clothing makes it hard to find a comfortable position when trying to sleep sitting up. Loose sleeves and a soft waistband give you room to shift position without waking up because of it.

In short

Choose loose layers over one tight set, bring socks, and pack an extra layer in your carry-on. That way you get through both the airport wait and the hours in the air without freezing or overheating.

Frequently asked questions

What is best to wear on a plane?

Loose clothing in two thin layers, a soft waistband, and a pair of socks. The cabin is cooler than you think, and layers let you adjust the temperature yourself.

Why do you get cold on a plane?

Because you sit still for a long time in a cool cabin. Your body's heat production drops when you are not moving, and it shows most in your feet and hands.