Why do people still expect you to dress nicely while flying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe my 86 year old mother is OP. Somehow, she logged into dcum.

Sorry, everyone.

And for the record, I’ll add that comfortable clothing doesn’t mean pajama pants and or sweat pants. I hate to fly, do so infrequently but I will make a point to look as polished as possible in comfortable pieces.

Well-dressed, polite passengers receive better treatment. Tell me I’m wrong.

I don’t care what OP wears, but you do get better treatment if you’re well-dressed. It’s definitely a criteria when economy is overbooked & they need to move someone to first class.
I also agree that there are lots of comfortable clothes that look more polished. Ponte is a miracle fabric for travel — stretchy, warm, doesn’t wrinkle & can look dressy. Nothing’s comfier than ponte pants and a soft sweater.

No. Frequent flyer status is what gets people upgraded, not a monocle, top hat, and jar of Grey Poupon. These ideas are so outdated.

It’s happened to me recently, and I promise you that when they pick someone to upgrade, it’s going to be the nicely dressed person, not the person in sweats.

Actually studies have shown it is a white man, no matter the attire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe my 86 year old mother is OP. Somehow, she logged into dcum.

Sorry, everyone.

And for the record, I’ll add that comfortable clothing doesn’t mean pajama pants and or sweat pants. I hate to fly, do so infrequently but I will make a point to look as polished as possible in comfortable pieces.

Well-dressed, polite passengers receive better treatment. Tell me I’m wrong.

I don’t care what OP wears, but you do get better treatment if you’re well-dressed. It’s definitely a criteria when economy is overbooked & they need to move someone to first class.
I also agree that there are lots of comfortable clothes that look more polished. Ponte is a miracle fabric for travel — stretchy, warm, doesn’t wrinkle & can look dressy. Nothing’s comfier than ponte pants and a soft sweater.

No. Frequent flyer status is what gets people upgraded, not a monocle, top hat, and jar of Grey Poupon. These ideas are so outdated.

There are strict, ordered lists for each flight that a gate agent will use in this situation. United, for instance, has 13 buckets to slot you into.

https://www.travelcodex.com/ultimate-guide-united-airlines-upgrades/

But yes PP thinks that their smart suit got them the upgrade.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I don't judge others cause what they wear is none of my business, but the last time I flew I stepped it up and realized I felt better because I was presenting a better more pulled together me to the world, so I will probably continue doing that moving forward.

Even on a 15 hour flight to Asia?

NP. I don’t think you get that there is clothing that isn’t sweatpants and a hoodie that is still comfortable. I have stretchy trouser pants that are honestly as soft, stretchy and comfortable as yoga pants. And I have soft sweaters, long-sleeved shirts and jackets that are as comfortable as a hoodie. Why are you and OP acting like one must choose between sweatpants and a hoodie or a full-glam restricting outfit?

But what is really the point? You are packed in like sardines, it's mostly dark because the flight attendants are militant about putting down shades so people can watch movies or sleep, and no one is like "oh my, stretchy trouser pants and soft sweaters, an upgrade for YOU, my dear!" So why do you feel superior to someone wearing a tracksuit?

Can you please point to the part where I said I felt superior? I was making the point (that apparently you can’t argue against) that there are numerous items of clothing that are neither sweatpants or hoodies but are still just as comfortable. You’re acting like people either wear what you wear, or they won’t be comfortable. That’s just…not true.

I choose to wear soft trousers and a soft sweater or long-sleeved shirt and a pashmina, because that makes *me* feel ready for anything—if there’s a delay, I’ll be comfortable; if I run into an important colleague, a friend, or an ex (all scenarios have happened to me in the airport), I’ll be presentable; and to be honest, maybe it’s one of the reasons I’ve occasionally gotten an upgrade (which I’ve never asked for but would certainly never turn down). You do you, you wear what you want, but you don’t get to say I’m not comfortable or are somehow ridiculous for simply…making a choice that is different from yours.

Tell me you haven't flown in the last 15 years without telling me you haven't flown in the last 15 years.

Sorry! This happened to me en route to Vegas from DCA in 2019.

If so, your classy attire had nothing to do with it.

I didn’t see any schlubs in first class, so there’s that.

You haven’t flown often in first class, then. The idea that it’s full of twin sets and pearls, or driving mocs and wide-waled corduroys, is…inaccurate.

So true. Maybe to get upgraded to business you need to look presentable, but there are plenty sitting in those seats that are dressed way down. My opinion, wear whatever you’re comfortable in while flying. Airlines have done everything in their power to make you as uncomfortable as possible, why should you dress up? Those days are long gone.