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OK to wear gym clothes on airplane?

42K views 122 replies 72 participants last post by  Pink and Green  
#1 ·
Is it OK to wear gym clothes on an airplane?

I tend to be the most underdressed but when traveling and in close quarters I'd rather be as comfortable as possible and not worry about messing up my clothes.
 
#3 ·
Depends on your definition of "OK." Will you be subjected to stares, open rudeness, or thrown off the plane? Possibly, but with little more likelihood than if you were properly dressed.

But the degredation in the dress standards of travelers has greatly contributed to the indignities that travelers are routinely exposed to. When we all dress like a bunch of high school gym students, it's no surprise that we get the same level of respect and humiliation that kids in PE would recieve. I find that I generally get a slightly better level of service from businesses (even airlines) and a slightly higher level of courtesy from my fellow citizens when I am dressed with some dignity.
 
#6 ·
On my way to a conference, I boarded my flight in nice RL jogging suit. I thought it looked "casual cool". One of my company's largest clients was sitting in first class as I made my way to my seat. Not only did he mention my attire at the conference but made reference on at least two other occasions afterwards. He did so lightheartedly, but the point was made.

No more gym clothes (no matter how nice) on planes for me. Now I actually take pride in not looking so casual when traveling.
 
#12 ·
Not only no, but hell no!

If I'm flying coach, I'll dress casual, sure. Jeans and a tshirt or short and sandals during the summer. But gym clothes are ok for the gym and for laying on your couch after a rough saturday night only.

How can you possibly think that "shorts and sandals" are ok, but shorts and sneakers (gym clothes) are not? :confused:


I personally agree that dressing decently is a big advantage and gets your more attention, more service, and a potential chance to legitimately get a free upgrade. I am not even talking about a suit…but a nice pair of pants and a nice shirt or sweater, makes all the difference.
 
#14 ·
Yes, if there is a gym on the plane.
Good answer!

But seriously folks - everything in moderation. My flight attire can vary widely, depending on when I'm traveling, who I'm with, where I'm going...

My normal standard for flying would be something like a polo shirt and nice jeans. However, I often wear my nicest shoes on the flight rather than risk them getting crushed/scuffed/whatever in my baggage, so if I'm going somewhere I'll need nice shoes I am forced to up my game and wear nicer clothes on the plane.

If I'm traveling with a client (often the case for any business travel), I'm going to increase my formality level by +1 (+2 for a C-level or equivalent). The jeans will be khakis or even gabs, polo switched for a button-down, and quite possibly a tie+blazer as well.

Conversely, if I'm taking a red eye, that is usually a -1 to formality. Most likely I'm going to be tired and a little grumpy. Clothing will be optimized for comfort and getting through security with a minimum of hassle. T-shirt or polo, jeans, shoes that can slipped on and off quickly.
 
#19 ·
Of course it's OK

I can't believe some of the answers you've gotten here OP. I personally think it's entirely appropriate for you to wear gym clothes on the plane, I have for years. I have to take 12, sometimes 14 hour flights to Asia with exhausting layovers, all the while being stuck in overheated cabins sitting in physiologically unconscionable positions while my spinal column compresses and my muscles ache... I DO NOT have the energy to worry about my appearance to the half-drunk grandma sitting next to me or whether the stewardess will respect me to give me an extra bag of peanuts.

Moreover, airplanes are one of the most filthy and bacteria-ridden spaces in public transportation, any nice shirt or heaven-forbid sport jacket you wear in such a place would need to be washed immediately. Unless you're meeting a client on the plane or at the exit, or it's just a couple hour flight, then my hunch is the people who dress up for planes are just bored dandies in first-class who want to show off, have no sanitary sense, and have weak blood flow so they're not overheated... not to mention very judgmental about what others are wearing ;)
 
#21 ·