‘Growing in popularity’: New Aussie fashion trend emerges

A new way to travel long-haul has emerged, with it “growing in popularity” rapidly among Aussies, experts have revealed.

Experts have detailed an “incredible” new trend that has emerged in the aftermath of the pandemic – and there’s a good reason it’s here to stay.

Airports and planes have traditionally been a place where people “dress up”, an act that reflected the origins of flying, which was once reserved for only the uber wealthy.

As flying became more accessible, the airport uniform became more relaxed, with passengers often choosing comfort over appearance.

But after travel came to an abrupt halt back in March 2020, fashion gurus are now reporting a change in attitudes, with Aussies hopping on long-haul flights now deciding to up the ante in the style stakes once again.

A new airport trend has emerged after the pandemic that is ‘growing in popularity’. Picture: Instagram/PaigeCarmichael

Forget trackies and sweatshirts, travellers are now opting for wardrobe items that are “perfect balance of style and comfort”, fashion influencer Paige Griffith-Carmichael told news.com.au.

“Smart casual dressing still has a place in travel but when it comes to flying, especially long haul in economy, it’s a matter of survival,” she said.

“The perfect plane ‘fit’ looks good enough to snap a picture under the SYD departures sign, yet also holds up on a 24 hour journey when you’re bloated and bleary-eyed.

“The perfect plane fit also consists of multiple, breathable layers as on board the plane can get quite cold.”

Paige, a PR and marketing specialist from Noosa who has 35,000 Instagram followers, isn’t the only fan of a dedicated “travel outfit”. On TikTok, there a videos with hundreds of thousands of views that feature the hashtags, “airportoutfit” and “travelfit”.

“It’s incredible, my long-haul flight-related content gets more views and engagement than the holiday itself,” she said.

“People are fascinated with the experience of flying and what you wear is very much part of that. As long as there are planes, there are people curious about what to wear when on them.”

The new fashion trend is so popular, some brands have begun catering to demand, including popular Australian activewear brand Nimble.

Nimble founders Vera Yan and Katia Santilli have been catering to meet demand for ‘travel outfits’. Picture: Instagram/PaigeCarmichael

Vera Yan, co-founder of the Sydney-based eco-friendly label, believes losing travel during the pandemic reignited the desire to “look and feel good” on the go.

“They say you don’t appreciate something until it’s gone. After a time when travel wasn’t possible, people are now making the most of every opportunity,” she told news.com.au.

“We are seeing people looking for adaptable wardrobe pieces that they can comfortably travel in while still being stylish.

“Our ‘Essential Travel Pant’ sold out in just three weeks – we couldn’t keep them in stock – and currently have a waitlist of over 500 people so we’re working hard to get that back.”

It’s not the only loungewear item Nimble has that is a favourite among travellers, including Paige, with its “Me Time” knit sets taking over Aussie airports.

“It is popular because the pieces are designed to be easy to care for on-the-go. They’re machine washable, lightweight, and breathable, making them great for travel.

“They’re blended with recycled polyester so you can layer up or down for transeasonal comfort.”

Fashion influencer Paige Griffith-Carmichael said ‘comfortable yet stylish’ wardrobe pieces were essential to ‘survive’ long haul in economy. Picture: Instagram/PaigeCarmichael

Paige, who splits her time between Queensland and the UK, said the $298 set “ticks all the boxes” for her when she’s embarking on a lengthy journey.

“In the past year, I have spent over 100 hours in the air wearing Nimble Activewear. Their loungewear range offers the perfect balance of style and comfort,” she said.

“Functionally the set ticks all the boxes too. The pants are cropped enough not to drag on toilet floors and the 1/2 zip is great for keeping your neck warm while flying.”

Videos with that feature the hashtags ‘airportoutfit’ and ‘travelfit’ have amassed hundreds of thousands of views. Picture: Instagram/PaigeCarmichael

The brand, which Vera co-founded with Katia Santilli in 2014, is of course still creating activewear with its signature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles pulled from the ocean.

“Our loungewear and sweats continue to gain popularity,” Vera shared.

“We’re seeing that our customers are coming to us not only for pieces to move in but also those versatile layering pieces that she can wear to complete her everyday active wardrobe. “She comes to us for her pilates, yoga, or run set but also wants Nimble to complete her outfit with on-the-go pieces.”