Orient Express: Luxury Train Travel, Dress Code, and Vintage Style

When you think of the Orient Express, a legendary luxury train service that connected Paris to Istanbul in the early 20th century, known for its opulent interiors and elite passengers. Also known as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, it’s no longer just a route—it’s a feeling. You don’t ride the Orient Express to get from point A to B. You ride it to step into a world where time slows down, service is flawless, and every detail feels like it was chosen by someone who cared deeply about elegance. Today, the modern version still runs, but it’s not about speed or efficiency. It’s about experience. And that means what you wear matters—not because there’s a rigid rulebook, but because the train itself is a moving museum of 1920s glamour.

Women on the Orient Express today don’t need to wear ball gowns, but they do wear clothes that match the mood. Think tailored dresses, silk blouses with pearls, structured coats, and closed-toe shoes that click softly on the wooden floors. It’s not about showing off—it’s about respecting the space. You’ll see people in smart casual wear too, but the ones who stand out are the ones who treat the journey like a dinner party on rails. The train’s dining cars, with their polished silver and crystal glasses, naturally pull you toward a certain style. You don’t need to buy a new wardrobe, but you might want to dig out that little black dress or that wool blazer you haven’t worn in years. It’s the same reason people still wear watches to dinner, even when phones tell the time. Some things are about presence, not function.

The luxury train travel, a form of high-end transportation that combines scenic routes, fine dining, and personalized service, often evoking nostalgia for the golden age of rail isn’t just about the Orient Express. But it’s the most famous example—and the one that set the standard. Other luxury trains in places like Africa, Japan, or even India’s Palace on Wheels borrow from its playbook: private cabins, butler service, curated meals, and views you can’t get anywhere else. The train travel style, the way passengers dress and behave on long-distance luxury trains, blending practicality with vintage sophistication is part of the ritual. It’s why you’ll see men in blazers without ties, women in scarves instead of hats, and no one in flip-flops or gym shorts. It’s not about money—it’s about intention. You chose this trip because you wanted something different. So you dress like it.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical guides on what to wear on the Orient Express—day to night, season to season, and how to pack light without looking underdressed. You’ll also see how this style connects to broader ideas of vintage luxury travel, a travel aesthetic rooted in early 20th-century elegance, emphasizing craftsmanship, slow pacing, and timeless design. Whether you’re planning a trip or just daydreaming about it, these posts give you the details you won’t find in brochures. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works.