this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2026
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I get that some people have business waiting at the pickup and wanting to look professional, but why everybody else?

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[–] frightful_hobgoblin@lemmy.ml 96 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

There is a simple reason you haven't considered.

I want to bring my suit on the trip, and I don't want to crush it into a bag, because it'll wrinkle.

[–] leftascenter@jlai.lu 19 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

LPT: You can roll suits and shirts in the bag so they don't wrinkle.

[–] frightful_hobgoblin@lemmy.ml 14 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I'm bringing t-shirts, work clothes, and a suit.

What packs best? What packs into my bag with the most/least difficulty?

I wear the thing that tolerates bags the least, and I pack the rest.

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[–] Archangel1313@lemmy.ca 79 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Human bias. People tend to treat you favorably when you dress a bit nicely. You don't have to over-do it, but you also don't want to appear "rough". I've travelled both ways, and can tell you for a fact, you get hassled more if you look like you just rolled out of bed, as opposed to someone who's at least trying to look presentable.

[–] Muffi@programming.dev 14 points 1 week ago (6 children)

You nailed it. When I wear a T-shirt and have my tattoos visible, security treat me like shit and I always get pulled aside for extra checks and drug swipes. If I wear a nice suit, I get smiles and no hassle.

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[–] tiramichu@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

When I fly long distance I always make the effort to go in the (plane) bathroom and freshen up, brush my hair and such before I get there because I feel I get less hassle from immigration when I'm looking fresh as opposed to when I'm a red-eyed mess.

Despite the fact it should be perfectly expected for people to look like shit after a long-haul flight.

As you say, It's just human bias and people are affected by their biases even in roles where they should try not to be.

[–] abbadon420@sh.itjust.works 74 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I always put on pants when I go out. It's the decent thing to do

[–] Hadriscus@jlai.lu 19 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Will definitely try this next time

[–] Slatlun@lemmy.ml 16 points 1 week ago

Don't bother. I tried it. 1 star.

[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

But, not a shirt, right? God, it's so hot right now. I just want my pits to air out a bit.

[–] Stupidmanager@lemmy.world 30 points 2 weeks ago

My company was very old school and had a dress code for all stupid situations, including travel on business. Also, fly in and fly out meetings are a thing. In the 90’s they wouldn’t let you sit in first class - before points aligned status were a thing, travel enough and you would get bumped up often when in a suit over others.

[–] cambionn@feddit.nl 27 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I never understood why not. Dressing up "nicely" doesn't need to be uncomfortable at all. If the clothes fit well and are suitable for the occasion and location you can be comfortable and be dressed nicely.

What I never understood is people going out in pjama's or sportwear while acting like those are the only comfy clothes in the world and the rest of the people are making themselves have a worse time. Be it at airports/planes or elsewhere. Putting on decent pants take 2 seconds and can be just as comfy, so time and comfort aren't really much of an excuse. People should invest in good basics for day to day use, you'll earn it back in daily comfort.

But also, some people simply enjoy looking a certain way. Even for less comfortable clothes, that enjoyment can be bigger than the discomfort making it worth it to them. It's not always about having a reason.

Yes, but also, if people like wearing pijamas or sportswear, don't judge them for that. Just let people wear what they are comfy in.

[–] Nemo@slrpnk.net 24 points 2 weeks ago

Because I come from a family of pilots and the free F&F tickets came with the stipulation that we dressed very nice. I grew up with that and the habit stuck.

[–] Diddlydee@feddit.uk 18 points 2 weeks ago

They probably dress nicely most of the time.

[–] pedz@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Apparently you should at least avoid wearing shorts on planes. There's multiple reasons, including not sticking your skin where others people's skin have been stuck, but the most important to me is because of the slides in case of emergency.

If you wear shorts and for some reason the slides have to be used to exit the plane, you risk being burned.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 7 points 1 week ago (2 children)

If you wear shorts and for some reason the slides have to be used to exit the plane, you risk being burned.

I'll take that risk over wearing jeans on an 8 hour flight.

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[–] chobeat@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 week ago (4 children)

at the airport you also have higher chances to meet people from different countries and cultures with different standards for what is casual clothing. A fancy dress for an American is an outfit to go at the grocery store for an Italian or a French

[–] Newhere@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The fancy dress in Italy or France is what Eastern europeans wear to go at the grocery store.. hahahah Albanians and balcans tooπŸ˜…

[–] chobeat@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

True, but they are going to wear it with sneakers.

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I think it's because some people like to look nice

[–] ByteMe@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] BassTurd@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

For me, comfort, but also I'm usually flying for some kind of vacation where formal apparel doesn't make sense, like snowboarding or hiking.

[–] PromKingJosh@tarte.nuage-libre.fr 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

I like clothes. When flying was a bigger deal people would dress up. With the democratisation of air travel, nobody does any more. Still, in my head it's an "excuse" to dress up due to the old etiquette. It feels good to me to arrive at a new place and look put together while I'm at it.

Flying on an airplane used to be an experience in and out itself. Now it's just basically a bus.

[–] Mucki@feddit.org 4 points 1 week ago

"Democratisation of air travel" ... Puhhh ... It's a fucking nightmare considering you are giving up almost every individual right when flying with commercial airlines.

[–] formation@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Look good feel good, switch to the PJs in business class...

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[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 8 points 1 week ago

I wore suits and ties for many years, and now that I'm retired, I'll never wear another tie again.

Most days, I wear loose cotton pants, a t-shirt, and maybe an open shirt over that. And sneakers. Probably not even socks. If they don't like it, Fuck'em, I really don't care.

I'll put on big boy pants and a nice shirt if we're going out for Christmas dinner, and I'll wear socks, but it's still sneakers. And no tie, ever.

[–] marcie@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 week ago

Gotta be classy sometimes yk

[–] dreadbeef@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 week ago

Poor = bad to most, even subconsciously

[–] davel@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

One reason among several is tradition. Air travel used to be the domain of the wealthy, at a time when the wealthy seldom left the house in super-casual or working-class attire.

[–] Ziggurat@jlai.lu 6 points 2 weeks ago

Wearing a shirt and nice trouser helps my business traveller persona dont want to explain an immigration officer why I wear work clothe and steel toe booth for a business meeting.

Anyway, I have a business meeting, need a suit and will be back the next day, so I am rather wearing my business suit, rather than taking a checked in luggage

[–] Malyca@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 week ago

It used to be good manners to dress up for stuff like this, probably left over from that. People would wear their church clothes when traveling.

[–] yardy_sardley@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

As utilitarian as pyjamas are, not everyone finds them to be in good taste.

[–] dom@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 week ago

There is a huge margin between pajamas and a suit.

[–] FRYD@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I don’t dress formally, but I always try to put effort into my outfit. Why not look good if I have the choice?

I actually find office/dress wear extremely comfortable.

Like to the extent I actually will wear more casual clothes to work to make sure I stay awake some days.

[–] monovergent@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago

Habit. And I've become good at finding outfits that look nice and are just as comfortable as ones that look more casual.

[–] FatVegan@leminal.space 4 points 1 week ago

Why don't you wrap yourself in a bag to go shopping? There is no reason to look nice.

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