Smart Casual ??

[Deleted member 29185]

Enjoy the rest of your day and may your future travels be free of the discomfort of what other people choose to wear.

Thank you very much.

 

[clipped_wings]

I'm loving this.
and since it's got personal: i don't wear shoes. not at home, not in the office, not at funerals, not at weddings. My friends and colleagues have all come around. But some lawyer decided that it would be unsafe for me to get on a plane without shoes. And i don't like wearing thongs. So i have my comfy shoes i save up for flying, which i kick off when i'm in the plane.
The rest of me is smart and casual, but airline lounges and Sydney/Melbourne/London bars are the only places you'll meet me with shoes on.

But you DO wear shoes in the Lounge then! That's all I wanted to hear! WOOOO HOOOOO!

Sorry, laughing with you, not at you

 

[SuzieQ68]

This is quite an interesting topic and, to be honest, a little nervous about putting my two cents in, but here goes.

To be honest, I'm neither here nor there with regards to what other people wear in the lounge or on the plane. Me personally, I tend to dress what I refer to as 'smart casual - usually jeans, nice shoes and a top of some description (no slogans) - and usually all in black (cos that's how I roll). IMHO, bad body odour, underarm hair on display (ie singlets), people talking so loud on mobile phones to ensure that IKWYA, attitude problems in the lounge and on the plane, people putting their feet up on bulkheads, armrests, tables, chairs etc is more offensive than if that person is wearing thongs or clothing that I may not deem to be appropriate. Provided people are respectful of the people and infrastructure around them, then I can let it go. Put your dirty stinking unwashed feet up on my armrest whilst we're flying in a tin can 30,000 feet above the earth - then we have a problem.

I'm hoping I won't need the popcorn. :-|

 

[Warks]

And right on cue NoNews has yet another flying story along these lines:

Bikinis, pyjama pants: What not to wear on a flight

(or as the final line says: "[h=3]Would you where this? The world's First Suit and Duvet Combo")[/h](my italics)

 

[Denali]

Don't blame the FF'er for feet on furniture, blame their parents for starting them young.

Although if most FF'ers were as cute as this kid, I wouldn't mind so much

 

[LJS DeBarba]

Closed in shoes are essential for flying IMHO. Fashion aside I consider it a safety item wandering across Tarmac....

I have arthritis in my feet, and closed in shoes are restrictive and painful. In addition, because of a mild deformity in one foot, it is impossible for me to buy a pair of shoes where both feel "good". Sandals (with a Velcro strap) are wonderful

But ... every time I approach the lounge, I get "eyed-up". I have been challenged twice (Sydney and Adelaide). While I have a medical condition, it is belittling to be "eyed-up".

I think the no thongs rule is stupid. I dress to be comfortable on the flight. My flight is not my job, so my attire is not for work but for comfort. In addition, what if I want to go to the shower and CHANGE AFTER a shower?

And ... I have seen ladies in the lounge that are dressed like Zorro (without mask). What part of "smart casual" is Zorro? None.

I have told lounge management it is a stupid rule. Because it is a stupid rule.

Finally, closed in shoes on the tarmac ... closed in shoes offer protection from dropped objects. On the tarmac, the only thing overhead is sky. If anything falls from the sky, closed in shoes are not going to protect me. So penegal, please stop being my nanny. Thank you.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Finally, closed in shoes on the tarmac ... closed in shoes offer protection from dropped objects. On the tarmac, the only thing overhead is sky. If anything falls from the sky, closed in shoes are not going to protect me. So penegal, please stop being my nanny. Thank you.

Appreciate you voicing your opinion here LJS DeBarba. You are most entitled to do so and you made some interesting points. Penegal is also entitled to an opinion stating "Closed in shoes are essential for flying IMHO. Fashion aside I consider it a safety item wandering across Tarmac...." Please note that penegal stated IMHO, so just an opinion, nothing here about being a 'nanny' to anyone. AFF is a great forum for people wishing to express their opinion. You don't have to like or agree with it, but probably didn't need to make it personal by putting in the last sentence. Just my opinion.

 

[Ausbt]

please stop being my nanny. Thank you.

Perhaps we are just self-interested and could care less what you wear in your own time. I mean, say I'm also walking across that tarmac with you in my closed-in shoes with grip soles. There's you in your Havianas. You slip on a small rainbow-coloured puddle and injure youself. Suddenly, I'm sitting on that plane waiting for your bag to be pulled and now late for my meeting or connection. Of course I could slip as well, but it's just less likely.

 

[Milefest]

Perhaps we are just self-interested and could care less what you wear in your own time. I mean, say I'm also walking across that tarmac with you in my closed-in shoes with grip soles. There's you in your Havianas. You slip on a small rainbow-coloured puddle and injure youself. Suddenly, I'm sitting on that plane waiting for your bag to be pulled and now late for my meeting or connection. Of course I could slip as well, but it's just less likely.

I can't see them implementing a closed footware requirement for travel anytime soon, I'd imagine it would cause greater disruption for those forgetting/unaware of the rules.

 

[LJS DeBarba]

... You don't have to like or agree with it, but probably didn't need to make it personal by putting in the last sentence. Just my opinion.

I did need to make it personal. Every time I fly, I get eyed-up, which is a personal invasion of my space and dignity. People like penegal are making it personal for me, so ... yes ... I did need to be aggressive because the "opinion" expressed is flawed, wrong, hurtful, inappropriate, and any other negative adjective you wish to use.

 

[LJS DeBarba]

Perhaps we are just self-interested and could care less what you wear in your own time. I mean, say I'm also walking across that tarmac with you in my closed-in shoes with grip soles. There's you in your Havianas. You slip on a small rainbow-coloured puddle and injure youself. Suddenly, I'm sitting on that plane waiting for your bag to be pulled and now late for my meeting or connection. Of course I could slip as well, but it's just less likely.

Then we need to ban all people that could slip on the tarmac (canes, crutches, slick leather soles, people that could lose their balance, etc). And ... they will hold your connection for you. How you schedule your meetings is up to you.

 

[Milefest]

Then we need to ban all people that could slip on the tarmac (canes, crutches, slick leather soles, people that could lose their balance, etc). And ... they will hold your connection for you. How you schedule your meetings is up to you.

I don't think he was saying that closed shoes would stop slipping, but prevent it, which is true. Although there are other arguments to be had as to where to draw the line.

 

[LJS DeBarba]

I don't think he was saying that closed shoes ....

What he said was drifting off topic but still offered support for the horrible no-thongs-in-the-lounge rule, which is a stupid rule.

Summary ... Thongs in lounge = good

End of summary

 

[SuzieQ68]

I did need to make it personal. Every time I fly, I get eyed-up, which is a personal invasion of my space and dignity. People like penegal are making it personal for me, so ... yes ... I did need to be aggressive because the "opinion" expressed is flawed, wrong, hurtful, inappropriate, and any other negative adjective you wish to use.

Probably shouldn't walk with my partner & I in an airport then if YOU think you get eyed up. It happens a lot to us (and not just when flying) but we let it wash over us. I personally have no time for negativity in my life, so choose not to take other people's staring and (sometimes) comments on board preferring instead to (and I quote) 'let it go, let it go.....'

The satisfaction comes when I turn left.....

 

[clipped_wings]

Everyone calm down for a minute and take a breath for goodness sake! We've been travelling along quite nicely with our variations in this debate. It's good to have a platform to express one's argument, but the fun stops when people utilise the thread to get catty. I am referring to anyone here who makes an assumption that we are all out to get them personally, just because their view differs from the mainstream.

By all means, put forth your statement. Make it factual and serious. Make it gloriously funny. But don't make it all about you. Keep the decorum and the thread alive, or the Moderators will bin us faster than a Nigerian email.

FYI - I am riddled with severe arthritis, have been since I was 12. Hasn't stopped me finding nice things to wear yet...............

 

[LJS DeBarba]

Probably shouldn't walk with my partner & I in an airport then if YOU think you get eyed up....

OK, I won't walk with you and your partner. That does not change the fact that the thong rule is a cough rule. That does not change the fact that others are trying to inflict pain onto my feet and my body to allow me entrance to a lounge that often is associated with my ticket purchase. This does not change the fact others are trying to impose their will on me against my will.

Thongs in lounge = good.

 

[clipped_wings]

Amen SuzieQ! I love your style!

 

[LJS DeBarba]

...FYI - I am riddled with severe arthritis, have been since I was 12. Hasn't stopped me finding nice things to wear yet...............

I am sorry to hear that, but for me nice things = maximum comfort = thongs.

Yes, I am passionate about this horrible rule.

 

[clipped_wings]

I am sorry to hear that, but for me nice things = maximum comfort = thongs.

Yes, I am passionate about this horrible rule.

Thank you LJS DeBarba, I understand your frustration with arthritis and clothes and I know all too well how painful travelling can be. It's hard to cover up when your limbs swell, but I manage quite well with some very fancy and potent drugs! It's harder getting the pills past security than it is getting my feet into shoes, but I will always remain dedicated to the No Thong Policy (no offence). It's not that I don't own thongs - I adore them. Rather, it's just the notion of getting dressed up to go out and fly, that will always keep me on my own little Best Dressed list ha ha.
Hope you find some relief for your feet I found boring old velcro sandals are cool when you wear them with an uber cool pair of wide bottom pants and a crisp white shirt!

 

[Ausbt]

Summary ... Thongs in lounge = good

I'm not anti-thong. I'm anti-people who are anti-nanny state. The nanny state is sometimes good, sometimes bad. Are seat belts bad? (Damn you, nanny state!). Is high-viz bad? (Damn you NS, damn you to hell!). Drink driving? (Damn you!). Drink-posting to AFF? (......yeah, that's bad. Should be banned

Actually better get back OT, I'm besuited in the MEL VA lounge, briefly considered changing my pants to chinos. Nahhhh ...I'll keep it classy.