Some of British Airways’ most classic uniforms were on display, including full tartan, paper dresses and a raspberry miniskirt.
The iconic suits span eight decades and feature the airline’s most “extravagant” creations and show the evolution of airline uniforms.
They include a floral paper dress, which the original “stewardess” cut and wore with a flower in her hair.
These were phased out after some passengers in aisle seats tried to set them on fire with lighters, a retired BOAC flight attendant said.
He ‘Flight Fashion’ Exhibition A variety of British Airways flight and cabin crew uniforms are on display at the Aerospace Bristol museum, from 1940s to current designs.
Released in 1946, the first BOAC women’s uniforms were designed by British designer Maurice Helman, who combined practical design with a silhouette that was also “modern, streamlined and symbolized the spirit of a new machine age.”
It includes a BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) paper dress designed for flights to the Caribbean and the all-tartan uniform once worn by Caledonian Airways.
The exhibition, which houses the last Concorde to fly, will explore the evolution of airline uniforms.
From the innovative paper dress to contemporary designs, the collection reveals how these uniforms reflect significant changes in history, culture and style.
The BOAC uniform was revamped 25 years later, with a new set inspired by space age fashion that was practical and reflected the new ‘London Look’.
The paper dress uniform, made in the US, was quickly disposed of after passengers tried to set it on fire.
The Flight of Fashion exhibition is currently on at Aerospace Bristol
The iconic suits span eight decades and feature BA’s most “extravagant” creations and show the evolution of airline uniforms.
Amy Seadon, Director of Collections, Learning and Performance, said: “Airline cabin crew have long been associated with first-class service and a meticulously groomed appearance.
‘This exhibition highlights the changes in social norms over the decades and illustrates the transition from high fashion to practical functionality in cabin crew uniforms.
“We are incredibly grateful to British Airways for their support and look forward to welcoming everyone to experience the exhibition as part of a day at Aerospace Bristol.”
Daphne Oldfield, retired BOAC cabin crew member and Aerospace Bristol volunteer, remembers: “I remember my first uniform was a mini, just above the knee, in raspberry pink, with a zip down the front and a sassy little belt in the back that looked like a general hairdresser.
‘Just before we had paper dresses for the Caribbean, which you could cut to whatever length you wanted. You can imagine some girls wanted it high and scolded them.
‘The boys in the hallway would be trying to light your dress with a lighter. Those dresses didn’t last long.
Launched in 1988, the tartan uniforms were a nod to the airline’s corporate identity and a tribute to Scottish heritage.
The exhibition, which houses the last Concorde to fly, will explore the evolution of airline uniforms
From the innovative paper dress to contemporary designs, the collection reveals how these uniforms reflect significant changes in history, culture and style.
Like the paper dresses, a more recent “see-through” variant of the BA uniform was also removed shortly after the “deliberately androgynous” look debuted in 2023.
The suit was recalled after crew members complained that the see-through suit, designed by Oswald Boateng, had led some passengers to comment on her underwear.
Female staff even threatened to walk out over the “humiliating fiasco” as BA bosses admitted the uniforms were a mistake and pledged to create ones that were 43 per cent thicker.
Crew members were left humiliated after “travellers asked them multiple questions about their bra.”
One employee told The Sun: “Sending stewards to serve drunk passengers with transparent roofs was not a good idea.”
BA officials said they were withdrawing the uniform after hearing feedback from more than 10,000 workers, acknowledging that the “garments were performing poorly.”
The Flight of Fashion exhibition will be on display at Aerospace Bristol from October to November 17.