Opinion | How to fly in style: unlike Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski, mere mortals should dress for comfort

I have never been inspired by photos of celebrities at airports. Not once. Yet the absurd street-style subcategory seems to be growing. Laughable gems have included Emily Ratajkowski in her crop tops, Kendall Jenner in transparent crochet, and anyone in a fur jacket so bulky it would need its own seat. Then again, these women aren’t dressing for long-haul in economy class. They’re dressing to be photographed at the airport.

My vitriol may be hypo­critical. Well into the 1980s, my father would make us dress up for flights. Air travel used to be an elegant affair. When commercial aviation took off, in the 1930s, it was a rare, expensive luxury. By the 1970s it was more accessible and the world had become more casual, but it took decades for us to sink to the depths of sloppiness we see today.

In a recent conversation with friends, I realised most of us have struggled to find a balance between comfort and chic when it comes to airline outfits. After all, you never know who you might meet or when an upgrade is available. One friend, a stylist, swears by Isabel Marant tracksuits, Repetto ballet flats, compression socks and Uniqlo padded cardis. A fellow mum recently discovered a Calvin Klein travel set of black hoody and leggings.

My travel uniform has evolved into a Cos black jersey, A-line dress with pockets over compression tights with pockets and a black cash­mere cardigan with, you guessed it, more pockets to store lip balm, hand cream, dummies, toy cars, and the endless detritus of mother­hood. A black pashmina doubles as a blanket and scarf. My old Opening Ceremony platform slip-ons fulfil a number of needs, coming in handy for airport security checks and long walks between terminals.

Contrary to some advice, I do wear jewellery (and never get stopped for it), and I don’t go anywhere without a bit of make-up.