What Do Ladies Wear on the Orient Express? A Modern Guide to Luxury Train Style

When you think of the Orient Express, you don’t picture jeans and sneakers. You picture silk, velvet, and the quiet clatter of heels on polished wood. It’s not just a train ride-it’s a journey back to a time when getting dressed for dinner wasn’t optional, it was sacred. Today, the Orient Express still runs, but the rules have softened. Still, what ladies wear on the Orient Express matters-not because there’s a strict list, but because the experience demands presence. You’re not just traveling. You’re part of a living story.

The Spirit of the Journey

The original Orient Express, launched in 1883, was built for aristocrats, diplomats, and spies. Women wore long evening gowns to dinner, gloves to the lounge, and hats to the observation car. There was no such thing as "casual." Even the youngest passengers were dressed to the nines. Today’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, operated by Belmond, keeps that spirit alive-but with room for personal expression.

This isn’t a cruise ship. It’s not a flight. It’s a moving palace. The atmosphere is intimate, theatrical, and deeply personal. What you wear becomes part of the experience. It’s not about showing off. It’s about honoring the space you’re in.

Daytime: Elegance Without Effort

During the day, comfort meets refinement. You’re not hiking, but you’re not lounging in pajamas either. Most women opt for tailored separates that feel luxurious but don’t restrict movement.

• High-waisted wool trousers with a cashmere sweater or silk blouse
• A-line midi dresses in rich textures-wool, tweed, or silk blends
• Soft leather ankle boots or low-heeled loafers
• A structured trench or a wool coat for the platform

Colors matter. Think deep burgundy, forest green, charcoal, or cream. These tones blend with the train’s mahogany panels and brass fittings. Avoid loud prints or neon. The train itself is the statement. Your outfit should complement it, not compete.

One traveler from London told me she wore a navy wool dress with a silk scarf tied at the neck-simple, but it caught the light just right as she sipped espresso in the observation car. "People didn’t stare," she said. "They nodded. Like they understood."

Dinner: The Main Event

Dinner on the Orient Express is the highlight of the day. It’s served in candlelit dining cars with white linen, crystal, and silver. The dress code here is still formal-but it’s evolved.

Today, women wear:

• Evening dresses (knee-length to floor-length) in satin, lace, or velvet
• Stylish separates: a silk top with a tailored skirt or wide-leg trousers
• Statement jewelry-pearls, delicate gold chains, or a single bold earring
• Low-heeled pumps or elegant flats (the floors are narrow, and you’ll be walking through tight corridors)

There’s no strict "no jeans" rule anymore, but you’ll be the only one wearing them. And you’ll feel it. The other guests are dressed with intention. You don’t need a ball gown, but you do need to look like you’ve made an effort.

One woman from Sydney wore a black velvet slip dress with a cropped ivory jacket and diamond studs. She said, "I didn’t want to feel like I was in costume. I wanted to feel like me-but the best version of me. That’s what this train asks for. Not perfection. Presence."

What Not to Wear

Some things just don’t belong-not because they’re forbidden, but because they break the spell.

• Running shoes or flip-flops
• Denim (even dark jeans)
• Large, loud handbags (opt for a clutch or small crossbody)
• Overly casual tops: tank tops, hoodies, or graphic tees
• Heavy perfume or cologne

Perfume is a big one. The train’s cabins are small. The air is warm, the wood is old, and the scent of tea and leather lingers. A strong fragrance can overwhelm. Stick to something light-or skip it altogether.

Accessories That Matter

What you carry says as much as what you wear.

• A small clutch with essentials: lipstick, tissue, phone, room key
• A silk scarf for layering or tying around a bag
• Minimalist jewelry-think delicate chains, stud earrings, or a thin watch
• A small book or journal (the train has no Wi-Fi, and that’s the point)

Many women bring a wrap or light shawl. The dining cars can be cool after dinner, and the windows let in the chill of the night. A cashmere wrap is both practical and poetic.

Why It Still Matters

Why bother dressing up on a train that moves slower than a taxi? Because this isn’t about transportation. It’s about ritual. The Orient Express was designed to turn travel into theater. And you’re not just watching the show-you’re in it.

When you walk into the dining car in a well-fitted dress, the staff don’t just serve you-they acknowledge you. The other guests smile, not out of envy, but recognition. You’ve chosen to enter their world. And they respond in kind.

It’s not about wealth. It’s about care. The care to choose fabric that drapes well. The care to polish your shoes. The care to leave your phone in your cabin and sit with your thoughts-or your companion-over a glass of Dom Pérignon.

Real Stories, Real Outfits

A 72-year-old grandmother from Edinburgh wore a 1950s-inspired tea dress with gloves and a pillbox hat. She brought her own vintage compacts and handkerchiefs. She didn’t stand out. She belonged.

A 30-year-old designer from Berlin wore a tailored jumpsuit in deep plum with a velvet belt and gold heels. She said, "I didn’t want to feel like I was playing dress-up. I wanted to feel like I was stepping into a painting. And I did."

There’s no single formula. But there is a rhythm. A quiet elegance. A refusal to rush. A respect for space, time, and history.

Final Tip: Pack Light, Pack Thoughtfully

Your cabin is small. Your suitcase is limited. You won’t need five outfits. Three will do:

1. One daytime outfit (elegant casual)
2. One evening outfit (dinner-ready)
3. One wrap or coat for the platform

Roll your clothes. Use packing cubes. Bring a small steamer or wrinkle-release spray. The train has no laundry service, and you don’t want to be wrinkled at dinner.

And if you’re unsure? Look at the photos from Belmond’s official website. The women in them aren’t in ball gowns. They’re in thoughtful, quiet, beautiful clothes. That’s the standard.

It’s Not About the Clothes. It’s About the Moment.

The Orient Express doesn’t ask you to be rich. It asks you to be present. To slow down. To notice the way the light hits the wood at 5 p.m., or how the clink of a wine glass echoes in the dining car after the orchestra stops playing.

What you wear is just the first step. The rest? That’s up to you.