How to dress for business air travel: business casual look

Traveling for business is a wonderful experience, especially on a plane. The adrenaline rush of taking off, meeting people and visiting different countries are really exciting occasions and opportunities. However, if we do not wear the proper attire, spending a few hours in the air could generate some discomfort and uneasiness (which would definitely not be good for the success of our appointments). But at the same time, we cannot give up looking serious and professional, especially if we are traveling in the company of colleagues or partners. So here are some tips on how to dress for business air travel being formal and trendy at the same time.

Photo credit: travelforbusiness

Traveling by plane in comfort: tips on clothing

Let's not just think about the moment when we take our positions on the plane and find ourselves in a rather confined space on a seat that is not the most comfortable. To move between check-in and metal detectors, often walking long corridors between terminals and gates with luggage in tow, we equally need convenience and comfort. So the watchword for choosing the right outfit for the plane is "comfort," and in principle the solution is fairly loose and comfortable clothes that never convey a sense of constriction. For example, tight jeans are to be avoided, while women should avoid wearing tights. At the same time, the choice of fabrics should also be well thought out; in fact, synthetic or stretchy fabrics should be left in the suitcase, as well as overly structured materials that might rub with their folds. We favor breathable fabrics such as linen, silk and cotton. Taking into consideration the microscopic toilet we will find on the plane, for convenience we should choose to wear clothes that are easy to open and slip off.

One last general tip concerns shoes: only comfortable shoes because they will swell with high altitude; consequently, women should shy away from the idea of heels. Sneakers are the perfect shoes for an airplane trip as they allow you to walk with ease and not suffer from cold extremities.

Photo credit: travelforbusiness

How to dress on a plane in summer?

The temperature on the airplane is often subject to large temperature changes, or at least strong air conditioning. So when we travel by air, the best advice is perhaps the oldest: dress in layers. The so-called "onion" look helps to avoid suffering the heat or cold aboard the plane.

Often in summer we fall into the mistake of wearing clothes that are too light for the cabin. Even if we are in the middle of summer or departing for equatorial destinations, we should not forget that the temperature in the aircraft may be decidedly low and we would risk spending the entire duration of the flight chattering our teeth, if not even risking a cold snap! Even if it is 30 degrees outside, let's not forget that already at the airport there might be air conditioning at full blast.

This is especially true for women, since they can wear unbuttoned blouses in summer, while the businessman tends to opt for a long-sleeved shirt, even in the warmer months. We always carry a cardigan and pashmina in our bag to ward off any colds. In spring or fall, a light jacket should suffice to deal with any temperature fluctuations during the flight. One thing is certain: even if we travel in summer, shorts are definitely to be avoided both because of the temperature on the plane and as a matter of image.

Photo credit: travelforbusiness

Clothing for air travel: "business casual" look

For a business trip by airplane it is not necessary to look smart, but professional is. And if no tie or high heels are required, surely there are some style tricks that cannot be missed for a comfortable but distinguished look. Therefore, the watchword is "business casual." Such an outfit combines the ease of leisure wear with the more polished and serious style typical of the business world. Although we talk about "casual," "business casual" is a bit more formal than the proper casual look; which means a comfortable outfit that refers to office attire, but without overdoing it.The casual dress code includes comfortable clothing such as jeans, T-shirts and sweaters (however understated) and sneakers for a more relaxed but still refined mood.

Photo credit: travelforbusiness

Difference between "casual" and "business casual"

In business "casual" means that, in some situations outside the ordinary desk routine, one can dress a little more relaxed, that is, less formal than the office wardrobe. A business trip by airplane certainly falls within these occasions. Outfits can be comfortable and pleasant to wear, but still need to appear understated and well-groomed since they express our self-branding. Instead of a suit and tie, we might prefer a broken suit or pullover. You can look well-groomed by wearing either a loose shirt or a blouse-the important thing is that they ensure comfort and breathability.