In May, Michael Doyle and his wife leave on vacation to Copenhagen from their home in Levittown. Copenhagen has galleries, gardens, museums, and other must-see attractions all at your feet. A few weeks before leaving for Denmark, Doyle, his 35-year flight attendant for a major airline, already knew what he would wear on his feet on the plane. It’s a reliable slip-on. This will come in handy when passing through security and on the plane.
“I like to wear loafers. You can slide them on and off in your seat,” he says, adding a trick. “Make sure to wear shoes no matter where you walk on the plane.” Not only are slip-ons comfortable, Cole also sells them in a variety of styles for men and women, including Hahn, Tom’s, and Tom’s Ford. Masu.
Brayden, 5, Kaitlyn, and Gemma Kenney, 6, all from East Islip, will be traveling in Disney-themed attire on April 19 at MacArthur in Ronkonkoma.Credit: Morgan Campbell
With more than 30 years of experience working in the skies, plus frequent personal travel, Doyle has solved the mystery of what to wear at 35,000 feet.
To make sure your next flight is nothing but blue skies in terms of comfort, style, and safety, we’ve rounded up advice on in-flight attire from aviation industry professionals and parents who frequently log air miles.
Flight Attendant Tips
Expand your style
Chris Riebli, a Long Beach resident and flight attendant for one of America’s “big three” airlines for more than 30 years, says stretch jeans are your best friend on the plane. The burden doubles on long-haul flights. Tight clothing such as skinny jeans is as unwelcome as turbulence.
“I always wear jeans because they’re a little heavy and bulky and I need packing space,” she says. “You can wear jeans anywhere in the world and match them with what everyone else is wearing there.” “Be sure to choose ones with stretch for more comfort,” she says. says, adding that jeans have “come a long way” since their stiff, unforgiving days. That’s a top priority on a nine-hour flight. You can find wardrobe staples everywhere from Nordstrom to Macy’s to Marshalls.
Wear layers
Leanne Cummings, who works for Breeze Airways and lives in Center Moriches, is a big believer in dressing strategically on planes, as are other flight attendants. “My biggest thing is layering,” she says. “When you’re on a plane, it’s always unpredictable, so you want to dress in layers.”
Liebri agrees, noting that the weather can change from arctic to tropical as you move from the tarmac to the cabin: “You never know what the temperature will be,” she says, so she always pairs a short- or long-sleeved top with “a nice fashionable sweatshirt, sweater or light jacket.”
Pay attention to the fabric that breathes
Layne Small, 3, and Ryan Small, both of Brooklyn, travel in casual, breathable clothing at MacArthur Hospital in Ronkonkoma on April 19.Photo by Morgan Campbell.
The choice of fashionable, travel-friendly tops is as vast as the sky. Wearing breathable fabrics like cotton improves your comfort on the plane, so Uniqlo and Gap (multiple stores) in Valley Stream, Uniondale and Huntington Station are offering a variety of in-flight inspiration options. There are two shops. Moisture-wicking and quick-drying man-made fibers used in athleisure wear are also an option. Alo at Roosevelt Field and Lululemon in Uniondale, Manhasset, and Huntington Station are his two sources for going this style route.
Jill Hettena of Merrick wears comfortable shoes when she travels.Credit: Morgan Campbell
Choose the right shoes
Flight attendants also agreed that open-toed shoes are not allowed on the flight, so stash stilettos, strappy sandals, or playful flip-flops in your bag. “I always recommend closed-toe shoes,” Cummings says. “It’s very safe and your feet won’t get cold.”
Livri is the ace of packing with maximum efficiency. She always matches her on-board shoes to the destination environment. On a trip to Iceland where she was scheduled to hike, she wore comfortable Nike running shoes. On her way to Paris and England, she wears suede tennis shoes. “It’s a bit stylish and great for walking.”
Travel agent advice
Penny Cuomo has operated Sunset Travel in Bellmore since 1988. She has logged countless miles, planning trips for her others (next is her trip to the Canadian Rockies) and for herself.
Mr. Cuomo flies at least four times a year and believes he wears essentially the same clothes on each trip. “She wears leggings or cropped pants, a T-shirt, and a sweater or top layer with a zipper,” she says. “And comfortable shoes. Sometimes I have to walk a mile to get my stuff.”
Please hurry
“I tell women to wear shawls and men to wear sweatshirts,” Cuomo said. “It does get cold on the plane.” Wraps and pashminas can easily double as makeshift pillows during long flights and take up little space in your carry-on.
keep it in your bag
Crossbody bags are designed to keep important documents such as passports close at hand and safe. “I tell everyone to wear this,” Cuomo said. “Everything is at your fingertips and no one else’s.”
There are many styles, and Cuomo’s favorite is MZ Wallace in Manhattan. Most of them have adjustable straps for a perfect fit. Libri counts down his bag tips crossbody. Her go-to brand is her Dakine. She has sports-friendly locations such as her REI in Huntington Station and Public Land in Melville.
mom memo
Sloane Glover, 34, a retail consultant and mother of three who lives in Syosset, flies about eight times a year, between family vacations, excursions with her husband and the occasional girls trip. That’s what I think.
While on a plane with his three daughters (Hunter, 9, Harlow, 6, and Hayden, 3), Glover’s role as captain of the strategy team emerges. “I tend to dress all the kids the same way,” she says. “It’s easy for everyone around us to know that we’re like a herd or a pod.”
Sisters Harlow, 6, Hayden, 3, and Hunter Glover, 9, wear matching clothes when they travel.Photo courtesy of Howard Simmons
Take a hoodie and go on a trip
“My first rule when I fly is that everyone wears a hoodie,” Glover says. “When my kids are wearing hoodies and sleeping on a plane, I don’t really care where their heads are placed.” Her favorite stores are Blue Her Jean Her Baby in Woodbury. And Jericho’s Gold She Coasts Her Kids.
Prioritize pockets
Glover says you can never have too many pockets when you’re on a plane. Leggings with deep cargo-style pockets are a must for her airplane attire. “I always wear the same black Lululemon leggings,” she said, adding that they’re perfect for her boarding pass. She says, “I like that my hands are free and nothing falls out.”
