The red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival may be filled with museum-worthy fashion and diamonds that come with their own fleet of bodyguards, but I care about the outfits strolling out of Nice airport as much as the ones gracing La Croisette. Knowing there's a group of photographers waiting, A-Listers are more likely to fly in a pantsuit and Chanel pumps than any Lululemon.
But after the gray-mottled loungewear years of the pandemic, many economy travelers are now ditching the joggers and suiting up for takeoff.
"Dressing well in flight is now a trend in itself," says Charlotte Davey, fashion and lifestyle editor at Conde Nast Traveller. "With the end of lockdown, not only did we see the long-awaited return to travel, we also saw a return to dressing up, and these two social trends collided." The boom in business travel also has consequences, because people fly ready for meetings. "Don't forget how many business meetings take place during the flight," Davey adds. "Business travel isn't just for business, as much of the workforce is made up of millennials with roles in the tech or creative sectors, so you're more likely to find Adidas Sambas than pinstripes in the business lounge."
A number of smart fashion brands are tapping into this new in-transit vibe, with dedicated airport capsules that are comfortable and polished. In February, Naomi Campbell (who flew in a hazmat suit and Burberry scarf and famous Dettols in her first-class seat in 2020) launched a capsule of BOSS for "sophisticated, modern travelers," which features wrinkle-free fabrics with antibacterial properties. characteristics. The pockets are also lined with a fabric that blocks electromagnetic frequencies to prevent card fraud - ideal for anxious travelers.
The concept of 'travel tailoring' has proven to be big business for ME+EM. Founder Clare Hornby says the response to the smart airport release has been 'exceptional', with sales of travel trousers doubling year on year. "Our travel capsule is designed for those who want to feel comfortable while traveling and still look smart, especially for those who travel a lot for work and don't have time to change for their first meeting," explains Hornby .
So what exactly is travel advice? ME+EM's best-selling trousers, found in every office in Canary Wharf, are made from a soft Ponte jersey. "It is a high-quality casual fabric that is stretchy, supple and easy to maintain, but has more structure and substance due to its higher weight," Hornby explains. "Hence, the pieces can look like classic tailoring, while still offering the comfort of loungewear." All signature styles are now available in this long-distance friendly fabric, including palazzo pants, cargo pants, cropped kick flares and slim cropped pants.
Paul Smith has also launched a 'Suit to Travel In'; That is a tailor-made suit for men, made of wrinkle-resistant wool with a waistband that holds the shirt. Davey also recommends Hush and Pangaia for their "easy-to-wear fabrics" that require no ironing and are moisture-wicking.
Famous stylist and fashion editor at SheerLuxe Nana Acheampong has long made airport style her trademark - no matter the time of day, she starts every trip with an Instagram photo of her at the gate with a bag of snacks and sky-high heels. "Airport style is so important to me because it's about first impressions. I always want to look polished and polished," she explains. "You never know who you will meet at the airport or who will sit next to you during the flight."
In a time of border strikes, higher fuel costs and paying for your carry-on luggage, it can be easy to focus on the stress of air travel. However, Acheampong sees the airport as an exciting part of her holiday. "Then the journey begins for me," she explains. "I want that holiday feeling, and for me it's not about joggers or leggings. Whether I am in economy class or first class, the rules remain the same, I usually wear a pair of heels, a dress or a very nice combination set." And the old adage that you should dress for the upgrade you want is apparently true, as Acheampong reveals: "I've been upgraded many times and I truly believe my outfits are the reason for that."
If you want to test this upgrade theory, start with separates that are comfortable but can't be mistaken for gym clothes. Focus on smooth fabrics, such as breathable cotton, jersey and silk, rather than anything too stiff and structured. "I like to look like I'm dressed for the Oscars," adds Acheampong, "but my tip would be to keep it simple and wear a co-ord set, which is a really easy way to look smart and stylish . ."
Davey explains that luxury brands with a travel heritage, such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, are also driving this anti-jogger aesthetic. In a recent campaign for Gucci's Valigeria luggage range, Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny run around the room in paparazzi-style shots. They're clearly not dealing with the Easyjet one-bag-under-your-seat rule as they juggle towering stacks of hat boxes, wheelies, duffel bags and suit bags. The styling, however, epitomizes this new travel mood, as Kendall wears a gray suit with a tank top and black wide-leg pants and sneakers.
So next time you fly Ryanair, why not dress like you're arriving at the Cannes Film Festival.
Three chic travel looks to try this summer:
Military jacket, £350, Me and Em; Linen shirt, £110, With nothing underneath; Palazzo trousers, £150, Me and Em; Brown ballerinas, £110, Essen; Duffle bag, £1250, GucciSilk shirt, £329, Sandro; Midi skirt, £25, M&S; Loafers, £470, dear Frances; Woven tote bag, £350, Dragon Diffusion at Selfridges
