In May, Michael Doyle and his wife left their Levittown home for a quick getaway to Copenhagen, where the city’s must-see attractions, including galleries, gardens, and museums, are just a stone’s throw away. A few weeks before leaving for Denmark, Doyle, a flight attendant for 35 years with a major airline, decided what he’d wear on the flight: his trusty slip-ons, which he says will come in handy during security checks and on the plane.
“I like to wear loafers, so I can take them on and off at my seat,” he says, adding an industry tip: “Make sure you wear them wherever you walk on the plane.” Not only are they comfortable, slip-ons come in a variety of styles for both men and women, from Cole Haan to Toms to Tom Ford.
Brayden, 5, Kaitlyn and Gemma Kenney, 6, from East Islip, travel in Disney-themed costumes at MacArthur in Ronkonkoma on April 19. Photo by Morgan Campbell
With more than 30 years of experience working in the sky and frequent personal travel, Doyle has solved the conundrum of what to wear at 35,000 feet.
We’ve compiled some in-flight clothing advice from aviation professionals and frequent flyers to help make your next flight comfortable, stylish, safe and enjoyable.
Flight Attendant Tips
Expand your style
Stretch jeans are an airplane passenger’s best friend, says Chris Lieble, a Long Beach resident who has been a flight attendant for more than 30 years with one of the “big three” U.S. airlines. That goes double on long-haul flights, when tight, constricting garments like skinny jeans are just as unwelcome as turbulence.
“Jeans are heavy and bulky, and I need space in my luggage, so I always wear jeans,” she says. “You can wear jeans anywhere in the world and they’ll fit in with everyone’s outfits.” Just make sure your jeans are made of stretch material. “They’ll be more comfortable,” she says, adding that jeans have “come a long way from the old days when they were stiff and restrictive.” On a nine-hour flight, that’s a top priority. You can find these wardrobe staples wherever you want to shop, from Nordstrom to Macy’s to Marshalls.
Overlap
Leighanne Cummings, who works for Breeze Air and lives in Center Moriches, is one of the many flight attendants who believe in dressing strategically when airborne. “My biggest obsession is layers,” she said. “There’s always something unpredictable going on in the cabin, so I like to layer up.”
Liebri agrees, noting that the weather can change from polar to tropical as you move from the runway to the cabin: “You never know what the temperature is going to be,” she says, so she always pairs a short- or long-sleeved top with “a stylish sweatshirt, sweater, or lightweight jacket.”
Focus on breathable fabrics
Rayne Small, 3, and Ryan Small, 2, of Brooklyn, travel in casual, breathable clothing at MacArthur Hospital in Ronkonkoma on April 19. Photo by Morgan Campbell
The options for fashionable, travel-friendly tops are as plentiful as the vast skies. Wearing breathable fabrics like cotton can increase your comfort on a plane, so Uniqlo, which has locations in Valley Stream, Uniondale and Huntington Station, and Gap, which has multiple locations, are two places to go for in-flight inspiration. Moisture-wicking, quick-drying man-made materials found in athleisure wear are another option. Alo, which has locations in Roosevelt Field, and Lululemon, which has locations in Uniondale, Manhattan and Huntington Station, are two sources for this style pursuit.
Jill Hettena of Merrick wears comfortable shoes when traveling. Photo by Morgan Campbell
Choose the right shoes
Flight attendants say open-toed shoes are a no-no when flying, so leave your high heels, strappy sandals, and fun flip-flops in your bag. “I always recommend closed-toed shoes,” Cummings says. “They’re a lot safer and keep your feet warm.”
Livli is good at packing efficiently. She always matches the shoes she wears on the plane to the environment of her destination. For the trip to Iceland, where she planned to do some hiking, she wore comfortable Nike running shoes. For the trip to Paris and England, she wore suede tennis shoes. “Tennis shoes are a little more stylish and are better for walking in.”
Travel agent advice
Penny Cuomo has run Sunset Travel in Belmore since 1988. She has traveled countless miles for others (an upcoming trip to the Canadian Rockies) and for herself.
Cuomo estimates she flies at least four times a year, and when she travels, she generally wears the same outfit: “Leggings or cropped pants, a T-shirt, a sweater or a zip-up jacket,” she says, “and comfortable shoes. Sometimes I have to walk a mile to get my luggage.”
Please hurry
“I tell women to bring a shawl and men to bring a sweatshirt,” Cuomo says. “It definitely gets cold on planes.” A wrap or pashmina can easily double as a makeshift pillow during a long flight and take up very little space in your carry-on.
Put it in the bag
The crossbody bag is designed to keep important documents like your passport safe and close at hand. “I tell everybody to carry it,” Cuomo said. “Everything is within reach of you and no one else.”
Styles vary, but Cuomo’s favorite is Manhattan’s MZ Wallace, most of which have adjustable straps for a perfect fit. Lieber also agrees with the crossbody bag advice, and her favorite brand is Dakine, which can be found at sporting goods stores like REI in Huntington Station and Public Land in Melville.
Mom’s Memo
Sloane Glover, a 34-year-old retail consultant and mother of three who lives in Syosset, said she flies about eight times a year for family trips, short getaways with her husband and the occasional girls’ getaway.
Flying with her three daughters, Hunter, 9, Harlow, 6, and Hayden, 3, brings Glover’s strategic team captain skills to the table. “I make sure all my girls are dressed the same,” she says. “It’s easy for everyone around us to see that we’re kind of a pack, or a pod.”
Sisters Harlow, 6; Hayden, 3; and Hunter Glover, 9, wear matching outfits when they travel. Photo by Howard Simmons
If you have a hoodie, you can travel.
“My number one rule when flying is that everyone wears a hoodie,” Glover says. “When my kids are sleeping on the plane in their hoodies, I don’t really care where their heads are resting.” Her favorite stores to visit are Blue Jean Baby in Woodbury and Gold Coast Kids in Jericho.
Make your pockets a priority
According to Glover, you can never have too many pockets when it comes to flying, and leggings with deep cargo pockets are a staple in her flying wardrobe. “I always wear the same black leggings from Lululemon,” she says, adding that they’re perfect for storing boarding passes. “I love that they keep my hands free and nothing falls out.”
