Say So Long to Shorts on Airplanes

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

Relax; major carriers are not banning shorts on their aircrafts I just thought with the sweltering summer months upon us I would provide a follow up to my blog on walking barefoot on airplanes. Whereas some airline passengers like to air their tootsies on long flights, others prefer to give their legs breathing room by donning shorts on planes.

Since the majority of my trips involve jetting back and forth from the Midwest to Hawaii I have seen my share of skin on planes. Believe me when I say some passengers have no shame when it comes to exposing themselves on airplanes. I once flew out of Chicago when it was a blistering 11 degrees BELOW zero (with windchills in the -20 to -30 range) and two rows in front of me sat a woman wearing super snug nylon running shorts (though she didn't look like she had laced up a pair of running shoes in a very long time) and an oversized tank top. For all I know she had additional layers on when she left her home and shed them on the way to the airport, but still, once the cabin door is closed and the air conditioning is cranked all the way up, what warm blooded passenger is not happy that she is wearing long pants and a shirt that covers at least half her upper body?

With summer just around the corner there is little doubt that planes will be chock full of passengers wearing shorts, tees and even tanks that reveal more skin than most of care to see anywhere... besides a beach.

Gone are the days when dressing up for a flight was standard practice. At the risk of dating myself, I remember as a child my mother taking my brothers and I to buy new outfits specifically to wear on our annual flights from Hawaii to New Jersey because she wanted us to look presentable in mid-air. And we were not the exception. Decades ago air travel was reserved for the wealthy and they certainly were not donning shorts or slippers on flights to Florida or Arizona. Rather, passengers were dressed in their Sunday best--meaning coats and ties for men and conservative dresses for women.

I'm not here to judge, but I do think there should be some discretion used when it comes to dressing for a plane ride. If nothing else you should at least consider practicality.

For example: Ladies, unless you are going straight from your flight to the red carpet I would suggest ditching the 5-inch heels. Pumps and planes hardly make for a winning combination. Not only are most sky-high heels uncomfortable, but think about how impractical they are if you were forced to flee a burning jet.

Also, someone once told me that you should never wear nylon underwear on airplanes, especially on long flights. Natural fibers like cotton are a better choice given that they are more "breathable" and less prone to melting when they come into contact with extreme heat.

When I fly I think comfortable yet elegant. What is your personal dress code for plane rides?

Related Articles:

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The Ugly Truth About Airplane Water

How to Handle Flying with Smelly Seatmates

Keeping Cozy on a Chilly Airplane

Airline Travel: "Seatmates of Size"

True or False--Airplanes Have "Safe Seats?"

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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