Traveling with Dignity

I'm pretty into human dignity. I find days of air travel can really make or break the human spirit. Although we're taught to believe life is about the journey, not the unavoidable destination (its called life, not death for a reason), jet setting these days seems to be all about getting from point A to point B. We are constantly forced to ask if the means justify the ends. For example, TSA asked me to go through the body scanner today on my way out of DC. My thought is both a body scan and a pat down attack human dignity (not to mention our 4th amendment rights), but the body scan does it more quietly. And with more radiation. Having someone feel you up in front of 100 strangers can be humiliating: it attacks both your dignity and your integrity. That said, I would rather be felt up by a government employee out in the open than looked up and down discretely. The body scan allows people to ignore the gross privacy violation currently occurring every day in airports around the country. So, even though I was running late, I made the choice to opt out and it really wasn't bad.
Now to relate this to clothing. I have a few thoughts:
First, dignified style can create a sense of dignity in even the most humiliating moments. Second, feeling dignified (via your style) can help you demand respect from individuals in power. Third, maybe if we cared more about the journey we take in airplanes, we would be less willing to compromise our integrity every time we feel the eyes of a TSA employee upon us. This in not a well thought out thesis yet, but maybe TSA treats people poorly because they can: because people care about the destination so much more than the journey that they're willing to compromise their usual standards. How does this have to do with clothing you ask? Back in the day flying was quite the thang, and people treated it as such. Women would wear pretty dresses and pill box hats; men nice suits and newly shined shoes. Perhaps by re-instating a respect and love for the journey as well as the destination, people will be more likely to hold airports and planes accountable for the amount of dignity we demand in all other aspects of life. How we dress on airplanes is one indicator as to how much or little we care about the flight itself. I know sweatpants are really comfortable on a plane, but they also devalue a respect for the airplane experience. And it is pretty cool when you think about it- you're flying! Because airplane travel so frequently encroaches upon human dignity these days, I call upon my fellow citizens to class up your style next time you fly. I'm not saying you have to wear your Sunday's best, I'm simply suggesting you dress according to the respect you and the aviation experience deserve.

My travel picks:
1) Marc by Marc Jacobs medium sized nylon 'Tate' tote is roomy enough for to fit your belongings for a weekend away, but small enough that you can actually use it out on the town without looking like a backpacker. The side pockets are perfect for putting your liquid bag into so you don't have to rummage around while in security. There's also no leather which I appreciate.


2) A nice scarf makes me feel cute even after a long flight. The Cheap Monday scarf I purchased in Denmark a few years ago has become a constant companion wherever I go (like here in Marseille avec Rachel!)


3) Lotion. I use my mother's old Lancome sample jar but fill it up with my own paraben-free stuff. Old sample jars are perfect for airplane travel, don't throw them away once they're used up! You can also store earrings and rings in them.


4) Dr. McDougall's vegan split pea soup. I know the word vegan scares some people but this soup actually tastes and smells delicious, I've never met someone who tried it and didn't like it. All you need is hot water which the flight attendants are always more than willing to give. Just like clothing choice asserts your human dignity, so too can food. Plane food is gross, and even on the few occasions it tastes okay its typically horrible for you. Treat your body right with food that tastes and digests better.