Long Haul Flight Style

If you’re an expat living in Hong Kong, the likelihood is that the Christmas holidays means a long-haul flight home. This year, we’re visiting my husband’s family who live in Florida, so we’re flying out to New York, and then down to Miami. It’s a super-long flight, and so I like to plan in advance to be as comfortable as possible – I admire women like Victoria Beckham who seem to be able to fly in mini-skirts and sky-high heels, but I’m all about staying warm and snug in a draughty cabin. I put together this selection of items which represent my ideal flying outfit – some of them are pretty out of my budget, like the flats, but I’m planning on heading to Cotton On today to pick up one of their bargainous pairs.

I like to wear a nice pair of jeans to the airport, and then change into sweat pants in the aeroplane bathroom before the flight even takes off. I pack some warm socks (leg warmers would be just perfect) and a cosy scarf and tuck myself in for the long journey. I like to wear a long thick cardigan to cover the sweat-pant bum, and to double as a blanket or pillow. A huge bag is a necessity for shoving magazines, chewing gum and airport novels, and Maura and I have both learned the hard way about trying to wear our contact lenses for entire flights (her a scratched eye, me the kind of bloodshot eyes that didn’t fade for three days) and have invested in glasses. Lastly, I choose the softest cotton t-shirt I own, and pack a spare in my bag to change into just before getting off the flight so I feel a little fresher.

Clockwise from left: Ribbon-tie Cardigan from Phillip Lim; Miu Miu glasses; Striped t-shirt and Snood from Topshop;  Helmut Lang Cropped Sweatpants; Hobo Bag from Topshop; Lanvin Ballerina Flats; Current/Elliot Skinny Jeans; Grey Legwarmers from Dorothy Perkins.