Jet, set, pose!

Imagine getting out of a plane after a long flight. You’ve dealt with cramped leg space, battled time zones, survived the wait at the conveyor belt and stood in line endlessly for your turn at the restroom. You would not be blamed for walking out of the airport dishevelled and ready to crash into your bed. This however, doesn’t necessarily hold true if you’re a known face. If ‘celebrity spotting’ is anything to go by, the airport seems to be the new runway.

British Airways recently released a list of the best-dressed celebrity travellers—the stylish women who sashay in and out of flights without a hair out of place. Featuring in the list are style icons such as Victoria Beckham, Heidi Klum, Angelina Jolie and Amal Clooney. Turns out, celebrities closer home are indulging the trend as well. With the paparazzi clicking away at the arrival lounge, it’s not uncommon for Tinsel townies to rush to the ladies room to powder their nose or as the case may be, to slather on a fresh layer of blush.

Says a Bollywood manager, “It is very common for actresses to travel light when they fly out of an international destination. Very often they dress simple at the US, Europe airports but they will utilise the time at a stopover in Dubai to dress up so they’re camera-ready during the Mumbai touchdown. Whether they like it or not, the photographers are at the gates and they are going to click, so one might as well pose pretty.”

Sophie Choudry, singer/model Earlier you’d have your pictures published—no questions asked, but now you are being judged for your fashion quotient. There are times when you have had an exhausting travel schedule and the last thing on your mind is how your hair is behaving! I style myself most times even for the red carpet events but I do get contacted by designers for ‘airport outfits’. I know celebs and stylists who put together travel outfits and I think, ‘if you can’t even put together a travel look then you really have no personal style at all!’

While I don’t change my outfits, I always make it a point to do a little touch up no matter where I am. Lipstick, perfume and hair check is a must. I like to be comfortable while travelling so you will always find me in jeans, leggings or pants. I don’t think I could ever travel in a dress because I freeze on flights. And just for the sake of a photo, I don’t want to be uncomfortable during my journey.

Swara Bhaskar, actor For the longest time, I wasn’t even aware that there was a trend called the ‘airport look’. For me comfort comes first; I would just end up going to the airport wearing pajamas and shoes. Add to that the fact that I absolutely hate wearing heels! Sonam (Kapoor) ends up giving me a lot of styling tips, actually. She had even sent her stylist to me while I was heading to China for an award ceremony there.

Rick Roy, stylist I think the airport look trend is rubbish. You dress up well when you go out, don't you Then why single out the airport for a trend

Once you become famous, you have to be ready for pictures and criticisms about your look and style. However, comfort needs to be taken care of before anything else. People who see these pictures too need to be forgiving of the fact that celebrities will try and dress up more for their comfort if they have a 12-hour flight to catch. Don't judge them if they wear track pants!

Access to international brands and heavy social media scrutiny has made it necessary for celebrities to look impeccable no matter what. It’s a publicity stunt on the part of the PR machinery and brands. Once a known celebrity wears their clothes, the brand gets noticed and the celebrity gets looked at; they both benefit. We regularly get calls to feature brands on celebrities.

Sonaakshi Raaj, stylist The airport look trend in India has started thanks to bloggers and tabloids talking about looks, trying to decode it, commenting on it. It’s made celebrities conscious about their looks and they’re under pressure to look good.

Having said that, comfort matters the most. I’m aware that styling for the airports has become a thing now and I know of stylists who do it. Celebrities I work with choose comfort over everything else but it's possible that some choose to look good over everything else.

I designed an airport look for Shraddha Kapoor in Baaghi. She plays a celebrity in the movie and I had to keep that in mind while making that look. I made her wear ripped, but fitted jeans, a black tank-top, checked denim shirt, finally layered with a leather jacket.

Tanya Ghavri, stylist Airport looks are still new in India. It’s not as huge as it is internationally. Of course it came here from the international channels where actors and models would meet the paparazzi outside airports. Is this a bad trend No. Celebrities are influencers; they influence people as well as styles. You’re going to end up being clicked anyway, might as well look stylish.

In fact, styling itself wasn’t a big deal in India six years ago. Now we need celebs to be styled for even press conferences. Most celebs dress down for airports, but if they're innately stylish, it will show. Kareena Kapoor Khan is also well dressed at airports. She usually puts together her own stuff to create cutesy styles.

How to nail the look Want to crack the perfect airport look Read on...

Comfort comes first, no matter what. You can’t go wrong with an easy, chic dress and a crossbody bag

Try boyfriend jackets and shirts teamed with jeans

Layer yourself well. Temperatures inside flights and outside could vary.

Wear comfortable flat shoes, high sneakers or boots. Avoid heels as much as you can.