The Airline Lounge: Last Bastion of Basic Manners?

As I read about Cassidy Gaiter’s ejection from a Qantas lounge for wearing ugg boots, I couldn’t help but think that this incident is more than just a trivial matter of airport etiquette. It’s a symptom of a larger cultural malaise creeping into public spaces.

While athleisure wear has become the norm in many areas of life, including flying, there’s still value in showing effort when dressing for an airport lounge. Not because we need to don three-piece suits or cocktail attire, but because we should respect shared spaces where we wait to travel.

Airport lounges have evolved into comfortable retreats equipped with amenities like food and drink bars, showers, and even nap pods. Yet many of us approach these spaces as if they were private domains rather than public areas that deserve some level of respect.

The ugg boot controversy has sparked a debate about dress code expectations in public places, but it’s worth considering the broader implications. When we show up at an airport lounge looking like we’ve just rolled out of bed, are we signaling that this space is merely an extension of our private domains? And if so, what does that say about our collective attitude towards public spaces?

Qantas’ decision to enforce a dress code that encourages passengers to look presentable is refreshing. By doing so, they’re not only upholding their brand image but also reminding us that public spaces deserve some level of respect.

The idea that airports are still shared, public spaces where we should strive for a baseline of effort is reasonable and essential. It’s not about dressing up or down; it’s about recognizing that when we enter these spaces, we’re participating in a shared experience with others. And that requires decorum and respect.

Ugg boots have caused controversy before – nearly a decade ago, a Human League singer was denied entry for wearing the same sheepskin shoes. Social media has often been blamed for exacerbating dress code anxiety, but it’s actually done the opposite: showcasing both extremes of haute flying attire and unbothered realism.

Looking presentable in public is not about spending a fortune on special airport ensembles or adhering to some mythical “airport chic” standard. It’s simply about showing up with clothes that are clean and look like they were meant to be worn out of the house. And yes, that might require a bit more effort than throwing on the first pair of sweatpants we can find.

The airline lounge dress code may seem trivial to some, but it’s actually one of the few remaining nudges telling us that leaving the house is still an occasion worth acknowledging. It’s not about bringing back hats and gloves or resurrecting Mad Men-era glamour; it’s simply about recognizing that public spaces deserve our respect.

As we continue to normalize slovenly behavior in public, we risk losing what little remains of basic manners and decorum. So next time you’re tempted to show up at the airport lounge in your PJs or ugg boots, remember: even if you don’t have to spend big money on a special airport ensemble, you do need to make some effort.