Smart Casual ??

[midii]

Hi all,

Just wondering what most people would consider "smart casual" for access to the Virgin Lounge? I have bad health and I tend to dress comfortable when flying normally in shorts and a t-shirt which obviously doesn't really cut smart casual.

Hoping others can shed some light on best attire.

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

"Smart casual" being a cut above "casual", then my definition (and here everyone's MMV) would be a collared shirt, long pants (not trakkie daks), shoes & socks or short pants (not footy shorts) with shoes and long socks.

Let the thong wearers wail ...

 

[penegal]

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

I'm far from a fashionista, but clean and neat go a long way.

 

[drewbles]

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

I'm far from a fashionista, but clean and neat go a long way.

Neat, Clean and a bottle of Bollie in hand?

 

[Denali]

My husband's choice is long king gee shorts (he likes the cargo pockets on the side and they have a more tailored look than just casual cargo shorts), Polo Shirt, long socks and boots. He will wear jeans in colder weather.

 

[Ewing]

Shorts and t-shirt is fine for access to a Virgin lounge. Even fine in the Qantas lounges as long as you're not wearing thongs.

 

[Homer]

I have bad health and I tend to dress comfortable when flying normally in shorts and a t-shirt which obviously doesn't really cut smart casual

Shorts and a t-shirt are fine in the lounge and can be considered "smart casual" if they are the right type of shorts and the right type of t-shirt and they, you know, fit properly. But as you say you dress for comfort and you're concerned enough to ask the question, then maybe dressing it up a bit might make you feel more comfortable. Sometimes dressing like you would at home and then appearing in public can have the opposite affect on your feeling of comfort.

 

[clipped_wings]

A nice soft polo shirt and some tailored shorts or jeans is a smart option. I am still a believer that flying/lounge access is a big occasion and I make sure my husband and I present ourselves accordingly. You can make an effort and still be supremely comfortable. There was nothing sadder than sitting in the Sydney Lounge a couple of weeks ago and seeing so many board shorts, singlets and flip flops. This isn't the local pub - thongs is a complete lack of respect IMHO.

 

[Mal]

Smart casual for the Virgin lounge, and smart casual for a party/social event are totally different.

For the Virgin lounge, I'd expect any sleeved shirt (without tears and devoid of possibly offensive wording/images) , shorts that are presentable and a decent pair of shoes are the minimum they'd accept. As always, fashion is interpreted differently by others, so who knows on the day...

 

[Buzzard]

A nice soft polo shirt and some tailored shorts or jeans is a smart option. I am still a believer that flying/lounge access is a big occasion and I make sure my husband and I present ourselves accordingly. You can make an effort and still be supremely comfortable. There was nothing sadder than sitting in the Sydney Lounge a couple of weeks ago and seeing so many board shorts, singlets and flip flops. This isn't the local pub - thongs is a complete lack of respect IMHO.

They don't call it the QP for nothing

 

[JohnK]

Sad but these days even beachwear cuts it as "smart casual".

Personally I'd think some sort of collared shirt, dress pants/jeans/shorts and proper enclosed footwear would be the minimum. Definitely no thongs or sandals.

 

[smit0847]

Apart from business travellers very few people wear smart casual in the VA lounges. I draw the line at singlets but shorts, tshirts and thongs are common place in there.

 

[penegal]

When travelling for work (domestic short-haul), I wear what I wear to the office which is standard business wear (more formal than "smart casual").

On ALL long-haul trips (work and personal) I dress for comfort, not looks. I think people who wear a suit on long-haul flights are just silly.

 

[Ewing]

When travelling for work (domestic short-haul), I wear what I wear to the office which is standard business wear (more formal than "smart casual").

On ALL long-haul trips (work and personal) I dress for comfort, not looks. I think people who wear a suit on long-haul flights are just silly.

Domestic I dress for the destination. It might be shorts and a t-shirt, it might be business attire. Always closed in footwear though.

International is jeans and a t-shirt until I can put on my PJs :mrgreen:

 

[clipped_wings]

I once mentioned how we used to dress up just to see our Dad fly out for his many business trips all those years ago. For someone who grew up with a fanatical obsession with planes, I must admit - I was a late bloomer. Didn't take my first flight till I was 24 years old. I couldn't sleep the night before, I was so excited. I had planned my flying outfit with military precision and I felt so special on that 747.

Fast forward 30 years and I STILL plan my flying clothes in advance. I'm not suggesting that everyone colour co-ordinates bag, shoes and attire the way I do, but people - please keep this magnificent mode of travel up there with Important Places To Look Good. And for those Privileged Few who enjoy Global Lounges: don't confuse Lounge Access with Lounge Room. This isn't your private home and you should at least take enough pride in your appearance to justify the efforts you went to in gaining access to the Lounge in the first place.

Dressing down to shorts and T shirts (no matter how premium the brand) is just a way of showing the world you can't be bothered, it's never cool.

 

[Bolthead]

I am always having a go at my daughter when she wears thongs to the lounge. I would say she wears thongs 90% of the time. She is VA Gold and has never been told by staff that she can't enter. Earlier this month she flew to Europe with Etihad in J and she was able to get into the Etihad lounge at Sydney (and AUH for that matter) without any problems. All her other attire is neat and tasteful. My feet are ugly so hence I always wear shoes.

 

[aaronm]

Depends a bit on the lounge really - flying out of MEL at 6pm on a weeknight most lounge-goers are dressed for the office, but I rarely see a tie in the OOL lounge on a Sunday afternoon.

But agree with most posters here - anything above "active wear" is generally pretty acceptable.

 

[Denali]

Im going to admit to looking anything from a dogs breakfast to actually making an effort and now dress up - AFFers made me feel guilty.

But for shoes, I need comfort and support so fugly Birkenstock sandals (not thongs) or similar or fully enclosed shoes.

I actually bought a few new outfits recently just for our flights, comfortable but dressy enough that hubby noticed and said something.

 

[clipped_wings]

I actually bought a few new outfits recently just for our flights, comfortable but dressy enough that hubby noticed and said something.

I absolutely LOVE this! How wonderful that a few nice words (I'm assuming they were nice ) were the result of your efforts. I have to admit, there is a huge array of really smart and practical options for women when preparing for a flight. Really good quality legging jeans, long blouses or tunics with no buttons, zips or fancy catches. A beautiful silk scarf and a huge, good quality handbag. Plus the flats of course. My biggest splurge was the Bose QC25's I bought for hubby and I.

My investment in the above outfit has repaid me time after time, as I am comfortable in economy/PE long haul or J domestic.

Haven't flown J long haul yet, so never tried the ever-elusive pyjamas as mentioned above, but if and when I do - when that gorgeous and dapper FA politely enquires if I'd like to change into my jim jams, you can bet the Bose cans are gonna be the only things not flung in the overhead.

 

[AnnaB]

As others say, it depends on the lounge really. Personally I would say smart casual is long pants (not track suit pants), collared shirt and enclosed shoes, but anything but thongs and singlet seems too be acceptable in most places.

Neat and tidy is great... as long as its not a singlet and thongs IMHO :mrgreen: