Supermodel Leomie Anderson’s do’s and don’ts for chic airport fashion
By Prudence Wade, Press Association
For supermodel Leomie Anderson, what you wear to the airport “sets the tone for the rest of the trip”.
While the golden age of aviation is long behind us – when flying was a luxury for the elite few, who dressed to the nines every time they stepped on an airplane – Anderson, 33, suggests we shouldn’t quite resort to wearing pyjamas when travelling.
“I feel like the holiday starts from as soon as you leave your house and head to the airport,” says Anderson, who has modelled for the likes of Victoria’s Secret and Burberry, while also hosting reality competition series Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star.
“I think if you feel comfortable, you feel cute and ready, it sets the tone for the rest of the trip.
“You don’t have to be super dressed up, but being ready for a new country, that feeling when you step off the plane – it’s the best.”
While Anderson admits to loving the “nostalgia” of old pictures of celebrities like Victoria and David Beckham all dressed up at the airport in the 2000s, nowadays she’s keen on singer Rihanna’s travel style: “She goes to the airport wearing Uggs and a tracksuit with a big pair of sunglasses, and I love that she doesn’t actually dress up when she flies.”
South London-based Anderson has a busy summer of travel ahead: she’s speaking to the Press Association from Ghana, with trips to Ibiza and New York for September’s fashion week coming up.
“I firmly believe in having a nice outfit on, but I do think that comfort is a priority,” she adds.
These are Anderson’s cardinal rules for airport fashion…
Do… Opt for chic athleisure
Perhaps unsurprisingly for someone who owns a fashion-meets-fitness clothing brand called LAPP, Anderson says she’s a “big fan” of wearing athleisure when travelling.
“You can dress up and dress down athleisure – there are so many options that you can definitely find something that is both comfortable and stylish for the airport,” she notes.
This could mean a “nice dressed up tracksuit or a sporty situation that is comfortable, but still fashionable”.
Don’t… Wear pyjamas
Anderson, Clearpay’s fashion expert, has teamed up with the buy now, pay later service to dive into what Brits are wearing to the airport. In a Clearpay survey of 1,000 UK adults going on a holiday abroad this summer, 61% said they wouldn’t wear PJs on a plane – and Anderson agrees.
“I feel there are so many different comfortable outfits or more airport-appropriate outfits you can wear,” she says.
“If you want to change into pyjamas, that’s fine. But I personally wouldn’t walk around in a pair of satin pyjamas in the airport.”
Do… Wear jeans – at a pinch
Many people might shudder at the idea of wearing denim on a flight, but Anderson suggests it can work.
“If it’s a short-haul flight and the jeans are baggy, I can do a pair of jeans,” she says – but long-haul journeys? That’s when you’ll want to lean into athleisure instead.
Don’t… Choose uncomfortable shoes
“A fashion no-no at the airport has to be heels or uncomfortable shoes,” says Anderson.
“I see a lot of women, especially in the lounge – they do like to wear a pair of heels. But for me personally, I’m not Victoria Beckham. I can’t do it.”
What you wear is up to you, but the supermodel says: “I’m not somebody who likes to wear sandals to an airport… because my feet get cold.”
Instead, she favours comfortable sneakers. “I’m definitely a trainers on the plane type of person. I need to be agile, sporty, comfortable – and also your feet swell often when you fly… so I like to keep it comfy.”
Do… Add a jacket
A chic jacket is part of Anderson’s “go-to flying outfit”.
“I like to wear something that’s quite casual and dress it up with a cool, stylish jacket,” she says.
“You can have the most simple outfit on, but when you add a fly jacket on top – whether it’s a puffer jacket if you’re going somewhere cold, or a light, simple biker jacket… a jacket can uplift an outfit.”
Don’t… Wear micro shorts
Two in five Brits surveyed by Clearpay suggest it’s inappropriate to wear micro shorts on a flight – and Anderson is inclined to agree.
“Simply because when you sit down, your raw bum cheeks are on the seat, and that can get sweaty,” she says, which is “not cute”.
Do… Take a roomy handbag
“It’s very important to have a good bag,” Anderson adds.
“I like a really big tote bag, because if your suitcase is ever overweight, you just need to take out one pair of shoes or something and throw them in that tote bag.
“So, like an easy access bag – it doesn’t have to be a designer bag, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it needs to be big enough, just in case.”
Top flying fashion picks…
New Balance Trackside Woven Pant in Dark Smoked Violet, £65; New Balance Trackside Woven Jacket in Dark Smoked Violet, ASOS
Peacocks Womens Yellow Retro Stripe Gum Sole Trainers in Yellow
Oliver Bonas Pink & Brown Striped Logo Fabric Tote Shopper Bag
Barbour Ovingham Gingham Casual Jacket in Gingham Navy/Neutral
Gymshark Training Oversized Boxy Zip Through Hoodie in Cherry Purple; Training Fleece Straight Leg Regular Joggers in Cherry Purple
Cotton Traders Wide Leg Jeans in Lightwash
Stradivarius Soft-Touch Bomber Jacket in Ecru, ASOS
Clearpay, a leader in Buy Now, Pay Later, has partnered with supermodel and presenter Leomie Anderson on its Runway Ready campaign, revealing the latest in Brits’ airport fashion trends.
