The time I spend in airports are increasing, and the more I travel, the more I realize that travel attire is disappearing. Let’s address what shouldn’t be addressed. I’ve traveled for business and leisure now for 2 decades. Times change, but your attire shouldn’t. We will address the elephant in the room and rip off the band aid. How you dress is how you will be addressed.

Leave it at Home

When traveling by plane, there is no need for you to bring your pillow, blanket, or any other item that is not meant to be open to the public. If you didn’t know, public places have germs. Dragging a blanket and pillow from public seats and restrooms…well…let’s just say you taking a couple of parasites with you to your final destination. Flights are not meant for you to feel like home unless you are traveling to a different continent. In that case, airlines provide sleeping material for you..to leave your personal one on your bed at home.

Fly Wear

If you are not accustomed to running on tile in heels…don’t put them on. There is nothing cute about someone struggling to breathe and run with luggage before the boarding door closes. I have go to outfits just for travel days by plane. A cute 2 set jogger or short set can be comfortable and stylish.

You may want to stay away from open toe shoes due to the TSA lines; quite disgusting to have your bare feet hit the tile hundreds of people walk every day. Open toe shoes are not desirable for the plane ride either. It does get quite cold on the floor board of the planes. Have a light jacket for places in the airport or on the plane you don’t want your body to touch. I can’t express enough about the public places where you sit so make sure you rear is covered! For inspiration, try searching “black girl travel outfit” on Pinterest for inspiration.

Hair

Yes….we are going there. Ladies and gentlemen, we do not need to know what you use to protect your hair styles. When outside, take the bonnets, du-rags, wraps, etc off of your head! Again, public places…stop laying your head on things hundreds of people just did before you. It also gives a false sense of what your elders would say, “you act like you’ve never been anywhere”. Even though you may be traveling for leisure, it’s never a great idea to wear an intimate (yes, bonnets and hair coverings are intimate items) piece in public. If you are worried about protecting your hair look into stylish hair accessory wraps to coordinate with your travel fits.

Airports are not just utilized for a place of transportation. It is also a conducted space for business and opportunity! Countless times I have met others sitting next to me in a restaurant bar waiting on a flight or sitting next along side of me on a plane where we exchanged information to further the relationship opportunities/business. Dress how you want to be addressed; just do not be disappointed at the end result of what you choose. Safe Travels!