How do you select your Airport Ensemble?

"Airport Ensemble?" you say.

Yes, and you know exactly what I'm talking about. You're going on a trip, and you're packing, and you have to think about what you are going to wear for the Travel Day. Your Airport Ensemble.

My perfect Airport Ensemble really IS perfect. Almost.

Comfortable underwear (start with a good foundation)

Gray Gap tank. "Gray", not "grey". We're not British, kids.

(tank has built-in bra - nothing sucks more than trying to sleep on a flight, in a bra. Side note: everything should come with a built-in bra. "Bra" starts to look funny if you read the word too many times.)

Gray, long cashmere cardigan.

Brown pashmina scarf (can double as a blanket).

Brown leather belt.

Earnest Sewn light denim jeans (these seriously are more comfortable than sweatpants).

Perfect! Except for one flaw. The boots. Tobacco brown suede, stacked heel, side zip boots. The boots look great, and keep you toasty when the airplane is freezing, and are surprisingly comfortable for walking (they have a built-in cushion). However, boots + airport security = potential nightmare. "Please take your boots off, and put them through the machine".

OH for crying out loud.

This is really not a major issue, if you are only going through security once.

However, if you are foolishly flying Lufthansa Airlines, and are unfamiliar with their transit procedures, you will have to go through security once in Zurich, and then twice at Stupid Munich Airport.

The boots? Kind of an albatross. AND then you're sweating, because you're running through the airport, because you had to go through security TWICE, and take your boots off TWICE, and put them back on (tuck the jeans, pull the bottoms down to eliminate bunching, zip...zip without getting jeans caught) TWICE, and then you've missed your flight.

But the boots are fabulous. FABULOUS. Now, take your missed-flight meal voucher and go get a beer, for crying out loud. (Ed note: I was crying out loud - quite literally).

Bottom line: I'm still searching for the perfect Airport Ensemble. Have you got one?

Comments (5)
12/21/07 at 05:56

shoes fashion travel

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Comments (5)

Kerry Rupp Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 06.27 am

Oh geez. I'm afraid I'm far less fashionable at the airport. I mean, don't get me wrong - I'm not in the matching satin sweatsuit ensemble with "comfortable shoes". (In fact, I don't even understand what that term means. Shoes should be CUTE not comfortable). But here's my airplane routine.
Sit down.
Take out contacts and replace with glasses.
Put in neon orange earplugs to discourage idle chit chat with neighbor whose stomach is spilling over my armrest (and to drown out that wailing noise that's inevitably coming from somwhere).
Place neck pillow around head.
Pull out crossword puzzle.
Promptly fall asleep. Possibly drooling. (I said possibly...)

And my grandmother wonders why I never meet a nice boy when I'm traveling.

I gotta get me some of them boots.

Carol Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 17.53 pm

Careful with the tank top. I was wearing one under a cardigan that is really more of a camisole not designed to be worn alone in public. Security made me remove my cardigan as if it was a coat. I was left going through wearing a top that was too short, bra straps (and half the bra) showing feeling more than a little exposed. Of course the bag in front of mine was stopped for extra examination leaving me standing there shivering looking like a street walker for what seemed like forever.

The female security agent at the end kindly let me know after the fact that I could have just been asked to be checked with the wand rather than remove my sweater.

Needless to say I didn't meet a nice boy that day either, thought there were a few slimy ones hanging around.

High Five Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 20.07 pm

Okay, okay! For my travels in the air, I always pray that I never run into anyone I know. (This proves to be difficult in SeaTac Airport)

I go for pure comfort, eyeglasses, sweats and yes....sensible shoes! I love my Lululemon sweats. (I know. I know.) They're comfy, brown and NOT velour.

As for the sensible shoes....I wear my running/walking shoes. However, my strategy has more to do with room in my suitcase. 1 pair of workout shoes=3 pairs of my favorite cute shoes in my suitcase! (See how easy the math is!)

Oh and NO makeup! Just a heavy moisturizer, lip gloss, neck pillow, earplugs, a good book and Sudoku puzzles.

I fall asleep before takeoff, so I know I'll never see these people again!

Carin Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 14.31 pm

Some thoughts from a somewhat seasoned traveller, and most recently, a mom who travelled all the way to Seoul, S Korea to bring her daughter home...I have some new tips. Since SanFran didn't get my luggage to Seoul when I arrived, and they don't make size 20 American size clothes for women in the entire Asian penninsula, I was thankful for the spare pair of undies and socks in my carry-on as well as the extra black yoga pants. (fancy for sweat pants) Not the outfit I had imagined meeting my daughter in, however, it was clean, and more importantly so was I. By the second morning with no luggage I can't tell you how much I appreciated my sister waking up and asking me what I was going to wear that day- hahahaha! Another tip for oversees United flights... whenever you can, splurge on the upgrade for Business Select (I think that is what it's called). The extra 6" of leg room make all the difference- espectially for us curvy gals :-) Honestly, don't they have the ability to make bigger planes and seats at this point? We're not all a size 6 ya know. Don't forget your own headsets....too many possibilities of what could be on those recycled ones. Another plus- bring your book on tape for a long trip- helps out with unexpected delays, especially when you don't speak the language where you are delayed...For whatever reason, if I fly during the day, I pass out immediately. Put me on a red eye and I can't sleep a wink. So, for those 24 hour travel days...don't be shy! Ask for some kind of prescription assistance!!

Allison Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 11.12 am

Unfortunately, my parents used airline travel as a time to show off what an All-American family we were. I grew up traveling in dresses and mary janes with the little socks with ruffles on them. Thank goodness the ruffles have been retired, but I still have some residual dressup tendancies for airplane travel. I do think the ultimate traveling accessories are the stick-on wings that the pilots give you to thank you for flying. That makes any outfit really POP.

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