We’ve come a long way since the early days of flying, from the rough-ride commercial airliners in the early 1900s to the glamorous, smoke-fogged flights of the 1960s. Now, flying has lost some of its sparkle. Whether traveling for work or vacation, we no longer see air travel quite like the special treat it was for those before us. But in the past, flying was a full experience—and was treated as such. Travelers wore their Sunday best on flights, with cabin bars full of tailored suits and cigarette smoke. Flight attendants were globe-trotting modern workers who always looked professional, capable, and enthused. The uniforms of flight attendants evolved with the times. Sometimes for better, and sometimes for worse. (We’re looking at you, 1980s shoulder pads.) From the 1930s to the modern day, here are some memorable flight attendant styles throughout history.
Style Through the Decades
The first in-flight hosts in the 1930s and 1940s wore military-inspired skirt suits in bland hues, white gloves, and matching hats. Femininity and glamor took reigns in the 1950s and 1960s, with bouffant hair, pillbox hats, and funky mod looks making waves. The 1970s welcomed bright colors, psychedelic patterns, and a time when short skirts and go-go boots were not uncommon to see walking the aisle during refreshments. The 1980s and 1990s were not kind or flattering to silhouettes, with oversized ties and shoulder pads being go-to accouterments. But flight attendant uniforms started hitting the fashion scene in a new way in the 2000s, as couture designers collaborated on fashion-forward uniform collections for major airlines. From Christian Lacroix to Emilio Pucci, these designers now create flight attendant uniforms you’d be tempted to wear.
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Do You Recognize These Looks?
A century of flying in high style.
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1934
One of the earliest flight attendants on a European flight appeared on this airliner. The Swissair flight attendant uniforms featured traditional silhouettes in plain colors, often with added accents like hats and pantyhose.
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1935
The American Airlines uniform was subdued and traditional in the 30s with thick, military-style fabric and conservative silhouettes.
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1940s
These thick cinched-waist dresses were a popular 40s silhouette, often paired with the traditional hat.
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1940
Delta introduced in-flight refreshments and snacks in 1940, serving in uniforms that still favored the early nurse-inspired looks.
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1941
An airline flight attendant with a Pennsylvania Central aircraft glows in a classic white uniform with a matching hat, showing the slow abandon of the dull colors standard in the uniforms of the 1930s.
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Late 1940s
Spectator pumps and light uniforms were the go-to for American Airlines flight attendants in the late 40s.
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1950s
Classic suits with exaggerated collars were seen in every color among the airlines during this decade. Curled bobs and red lips were also the signature flight attendant style.
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1950
Early uniform styles like this ultra-traditional one were common of many airliners. The style was heavily influenced by military and nurse uniforms at the time.
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1958
A trio of Scandinavian flight attendants shows the sleek, tea-length sets that were popular in the 50s. Hats and white gloves were still worn by most flight attendants.
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1960s
Delta flight attendants wore pillbox hats with skirt suits and white gloves during flights throughout much of the 60s. By the end of the decade, hemlines went up.
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1965
Known endearingly as “space age” uniforms, exotic smocks with space helmets and boots were unveiled by Braniff International Airlines for its flight attendants in the mid-1960s. Emilio Pucci designed the uniforms in fruity colors.
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Mid 1960s
A United Airlines flight attendant shows a mod 60s style designed by Jean Louis (complete in a bright red hue and with an oversized hat)—definitely making it one of the bolder uniforms used by the airline during the decade. The dress also came in other color combinations using blue and off-white.
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1966
Designed by couturier Pierre Balmain, the new Trans World Airlines uniforms in the mid-60s were simple, crisp, and French-inspired.
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1967
A trio of American Airlines flight attendants posed on an airport tarmac in the new tri-colored uniforms that caught the public’s eye with a wide-reaching national campaign. Red-white-and-blue belts and hairbows accessorized the red, white, or blue sheath dresses.
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1968
Southwest Airlines flight attendants in Texas wore the array of feminine silhouettes favored during the turn of the decade, with popular styles beginning to incorporate go-go boots and belted mini skirts.
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1969
American Airlines introduced new cold-weather uniforms, including a plaid fall-winter ensemble that sported a fur hat.
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1969
The mod style with white gloves, clear visors, and high bouffants was a popular statement for the decade. These National Airlines flight attendants were aboard a hijacked plane to Cuba in the 60s.
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1970s
Air Canada went with a red, white, and blue scheme, but made a statement with a variety of uniform options. A collection of distinct uniforms have become the norm for most airlines today.
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1970
Delta flight attendants wear the brightly hued 1969-1970 summer uniforms that were popular at the turn of the decade. Reversible smocks provided more color combinations, and the tall hats fit over beehive hairdos.
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1970
American Airlines attendants wore a cozy plaid and fur winter ensemble with rubber boots in the late 60s to early 70s. Capes and fur hats completed the winter look.
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1971
Southwest Airlines debuted bright uniforms with tall white go-go boots for their flight attendants at the beginning of the 70s. Matching white belts added flair to the short hemlines.
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1974
Southwest Airlines embraced the flamboyant 1970s color and silhouettes with its striped pant ensembles that were a major hit with domestic flyers.
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1977
British Airways embraced a more elegant 70s style for their uniforms with trench coats, pinstripes, and classic pumps.
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1986
After a bright 1970s, Qantas returned to a more classic color palette with these loose-fitting looks with pops of its signature red.
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1987
Air France flight attendants went pastel in the late 80s with a summer uniform dress by Louis Féraud complete with shoulder pads. Large loose bows were optional.
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1990
Delta flight attendants rocked thick navy suits adorned with large bows and ties, ringing in the 90s in true 80s style.
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1997
Finland Air revisited conservative suits with only small touches of color, such as the silk scarves. Low heels accessorized the traditional skirt suits.
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2005
Christian Lacroix revived Air France’s signature look with all-new couture cabin crew uniforms in the early 2000s.
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2013
Inspired by the Qantas logo, designer Martin Grant created a fresh and contemporary range of uniforms that features the Qantas red, ruby red, and fuchsia palette. Simple belts and scarves tailor the look.
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2014
Delta (in navy) and Virgin Atlantic (in red) flight attendants represent their domestic flight partnership. Each new collection was designed with style and functionality in mind.
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2016
Two American Airlines flight attendants model the modern, sleek uniform that allows for individualization with collars and scarves. The classic black gets a pop of color from scarves.
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2017
Designer Zac Posen was the force behind Delta’s new high style. Its high-function uniforms incorporate rich purples, bright reds, and the classic navy.
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2023
British Airways unveils its first new uniform in nearly 20 years from British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, OBE. The looks debut in spring 2023 and include a skirt, pants, a dress, or a jumpsuit—an airline first—and hijab and tunic options.
Source : https://www.southernliving.com/fashion-beauty/vintage-flight-attendant-uniform