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But we all know this!
From T+L Magazine:

"Girl, I LOVE your boots!" a flight attendant recently said to me on a New York to Los Angeles flight. I was wearing heeled, over-the-knee boots, mainly because I couldn't fit them in my carry-on.

He then touched me on the arm, looked me in the eyes, and said earnestly, "Thank you for dressing up. It means a lot to us flight attendants, and no one does that anymore."

If that isn't enough of a reason to ditch those sweatpants when flying, I don't know what is.

Of course, these days dressing up for a flight doesn't automatically mean you'll get an upgrade - too many loyalty programs, the frequency of overbooking - but that's no excuse for dressing like a college kid late for their Monday-morning class.

I get it, flights are long, and seats are uncomfortable. You want to wear something flexible and not sit on buttons for eight hours. You think that because you're no longer getting Chateaubriand carved seat-side, you shouldn't have to bother wearing anything formfitting. You feel like you're being treated in an undignified manner, so you should be free to dress that way.

But there's a difference between looking sloppy and being comfortable - you can look put-together and still be cozy.

Here are four reasons why you should dress up on a flight:

1. You may get an upgrade

These days, most flights are overbooked, but in the rare instance that they aren't, being better dressed than all the other schlubs will give you an edge.

When AirFareWatchdog.com founder George Hobica asked a gate agent directly whether they'd be more likely to upgrade someone who was dressed well, the answer was, "Yes, the better dressed you are, the more likely you are to nab that seat. I am not going to put someone wearing flip-flops up front with our best customers."

2. You'll save space in your suitcase

If you're bringing sweats and schlubby clothes that you don't plan on wearing again on your trip, you're wasting precious suitcase space.

Wearing heavier items like boots and a sweater is not only a space saver, but practical: You can plan other outfits around those items, and thus have more ensembles while packing fewer clothes.

3. You'll feel better about yourself

Besides never knowing who you might meet on a plane, you'll feel better about yourself once you land - ever landed in Europe wearing Crocs? You're also taking a step toward making flying a special occasion again - and you can't tell me that travel isn't a cause for celebration.

4. You'll make work more pleasant for the flight attendant

Planes are their workplace. No one wants to wait on someone in basketball shorts and dirty flip-flops.
 

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As much as I would to buy into this, the fact remains that on most domestic flights, we are packed in like cattle. Narrower and narrower seats with decreasing leg room not to mention the expanding waist line of most Americans makes for an incredibly uncomfortable 2-3 hours.

And while I don’t fly wearing pajamas and flip flops, neither do I feel the need or the obligation to make the experience of the flight crew my priority when selecting what to wear.

By the way, 1st class ain’t what it used to be.
 

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I always dress to fly, usually wearing a coat and tie. Travel is so uncivil and boorish making a minimal effort to dress like a gentleman reminds me to adhere to a higher standard of manners and decency. When my bags get
lost, when the baby behind won’t stop screaming, when I miss my connection, being put together sartorially helps keep me mentally above the fray. The guy in the suit, tie, nice shoes and watch, is rarely the one seen red faced and screaming f-bombs at the lowly gate attendant. It is a bit silly, but it works for me.

Cheers,

BSR
 

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^^LOL...
.....but only if we can make mine a pair of hip waders. Although, I'm not sure how well they will pair with my navy blazer, OCBD and chinos, which seem to be my de-facto flight suit these days. :icon_scratch:
 

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Well, I would wear the knee high boots, though might look a little strange being stall boots with a suit. LOL Though, if tweed look like an eccentric English country. :p

Oh now see that has reloaded Eagle has the similar dilemma (I was here at 4:37AM then took a back rest nap). Ha.

On a serious note, have always dressed nicer for a flight, as in our family, they were special (partly because lacked the financial means to take lots of flights, just two). The last one though wore a blazer with a tie because attending my Sister's wedding and had no means of packing it (only a carry on briefcase packed for the week). Did seem get treated a little better.

Scariest part was putting the blazer through security. In youth, had a nice suede vest TSA pulled several snaps off and since the manufacture refused to let me purchase replacements, was a loss. Put the buttons down in the tray and folded over.

Trick for you all. Wear slip on shoes or boots and an extra pair of clean old socks. Then when done walking on those dirty floors, as taking them off, turn them wrong side out and stuff them in the briefcase. Going back, before going in the line, put those socks back on right side out. Or if have room just pack an extra pair of old clean socks.
 

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My flight last Friday was 15 hours from Doha to Atlanta. These long flights are a killer. I pack my Draper of Glastonbury slippers and wear them on the plane, switching back to street shoes just prior to landing. These slippers allow space for the minimal foot swelling that takes place and allow me to avoid standing on the filthy bathroom floor in my stockinged feet.

I have seen some in flight bathrooms where waders would have been more appropriate. Pakistan Airlines anyone?

Cheers,

BSR
 

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I grew up in the 50's and 60's and I sort of think about dressing for flying as I do for dressing for church. I was raised to dress nicely for both (no- it's not "Nearer my God to Thee" in the air) but was a sign of respect for the times.
Exactly! I feel like grew up in a different time, as raised by Oma and Opa. 1961 Chevrolet Impala four door hardtop in the garage and those hippies are ruining America. Also, dressed nice for a moving picture or eating at a restaurant (only when company visiting too short to make a meal at home).

Now folks go everywhere dressed as if at the beach or manual labor, even in front of a judge. I said it before, not my fault was there, however, because dressed in a suit and tie, certainly why the judge asked his clerk to call the DMV/MVD and find out where the error lay, saving me at least two other trips and lots of time. Dress nice and get treated nice.

In short, be thrilled to see the clothing standards return to the 1960s sans always having to wear a tie (understand it bothers some).
 

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I would think the chief concerns of most flight attendants are met simply by not acting like a jerk, following the rules, controlling your kids if you have some with you, and being polite.

Being well dressed can't hurt, of course. That said, I have found the most accommodations made when traveling with my 7yr old, who is very well behaved on planes. I've had them bring her into the cockpit, bring over her snacks first, etc.
 

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I read recently that flight attendants really appreciate passengers just saying hello or exchanging pleasantries when boarding. Seems like 80% just ignore them!
This is something I always do. I make eye contact as well. That's with anyone who either greets or acknowledges me. It's the least civil thing one can do.
 
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