I know, what the world needs now is love, sweet love, not another piece on airplane dressing – there have been 347 trillion of them already. Nevertheless, I keep reading them all and what’s worse, I still keep making stupid mistakes. So I thought I might as well write my own version: for myself, if not for anyone else. It’s inspired by my trip to Japan and written with long-haul flights in mind, but most of it applies to any trip on an airplane. As always, when I say “rules”, what I mean is more like “suggestions you may potentially find useful, although you know all this already”.

1. You must layer. This is the most important rule of airplane dressing, no matter the length of the flight. It’s impossible to know if it’ll be warm and suffocating or start off chilly and end up being totally freezing by 3am. Ideally, and not counting potential outerwear, I like to have three layers: a t-shirt; something long-sleeved, but quite light; and something really warm (I have a very chunky grey sweater in my hand on this picture). This is not always possible or appropriate, but you DO need something you can take off/put on.

2. Yes, comfort. Everyone knows this one, but it’s the most difficult to give recommendations on, as circumstances differ so much. If I don’t need to go straight to work from the plane, I mostly wear my softest jeans and the above-mentioned layering combination. If have to go to work, I might wear the same: adding a blazer and heels to the look above would see me through most work situations. If you must change after landing, you might as well be as comfortable as you can and wear one of those cashmere track suits or whatever’s the softest thing in your wardrobe. I used to have a great pair of lightweight palazzo pants with an elasticised waist that looked elegant and were extremely comfortable.

3. Mind your back. Can you spot a serious mistake on the cover picture? I’m sure you noticed immediately that the roll neck I’m wearing is too short. It’s fine for normal wear, but when you’re on a plane, struggling to find a sleeping position, it’ll most certainly ride up an leave your back exposed to the elements. It’s annoying. It’ll also make you colder. And it’s a scientific fact that it’ll make anything you wear underneath to ride up as well. Don’t be like Annikky! Make sure your flight tops are nice and long.

4. Up your shoe game. So when you’ve put on all those comfy clothes, you can feel a little… underwhelmed. There are women who look ravishing in a sweater and jeans, but I’m not one of those women. The easiest way to distract people from your makeup-less face and boring clothes is to wear nice shoes. They don’t have to be heels (although they can – you’re going to take them off anyway*), there are so many great flats around these days. I went with my new Stan Smiths and Kirkwood loafers are favourites for warmer weather.

5. Wear your bag lightly. The other mistake I made this time around is not visible, but as serious as the first. I love that big wine-coloured bag (it’s also not visible that it’s wine-coloured…), but holy Wright Brothers, it’s heavy! I like to check all my suitcases in and only bring a large bag on board. This means it needs to hold an iPad, a book or two, my beauty essentials, a scarf, a couple of magazines, a charger and so on. The perfect airplane bag therefore needs to be roomy, but light – otherwise it’ll be too much to carry around before and after the flight.

6. Don’t forget your extras. Two things I always bring (unless I forget) are cashmere socks and a big scarf. Both are pretty much self-explanatory, I guess. You’ll want to take off your shoes and then you need something nice and warm to put on. A scarf can be used as a blanket, a makeshift pillow and, well, a scarf. I think it looks pretty elegant wrapped nonchalantly around your neck when leaving the plane.

These are my entirely unrevolutionary tips. What works for you?

*The main argument against shoes is not the flight itself, but the walking (and possibly running) you have to do before and after. It’s not a problem in the tiny Tallinn airport, but it’s no fun to walk around at the Frankfurt one with your swollen feet…