Orient Express: What to Wear, Why It Matters, and the Luxury Train Culture Behind It
When you think of the Orient Express, a legendary luxury train that once connected Paris to Istanbul, symbolizing elegance, exclusivity, and old-world romance. Also known as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, it’s not just a mode of transport—it’s a curated experience where every detail, from the polished silver to the velvet curtains, whispers history. This isn’t a budget rail trip. It’s a rare chance to step into a world where meals are served on fine china, jazz plays softly in the background, and dressing well isn’t optional—it’s part of the ritual.
The Orient Express dress code, a set of unspoken but strict rules about what to wear on board, designed to preserve the train’s historic ambiance is often misunderstood. No jeans. No sneakers. No hoodies. Instead, think tailored suits for men, elegant evening gowns or sophisticated separates for women, and polished shoes that click softly on the wooden floors. This isn’t about showing off—it’s about respect. The train’s staff, many of whom have worked on it for decades, treat every passenger like a guest in their home. And just like you wouldn’t show up to a fine restaurant in flip-flops, you don’t show up on the Orient Express in casual wear. The luxury train travel, a niche form of tourism that blends scenic routes with high-end service, fine dining, and curated experiences isn’t about speed or efficiency. It’s about slowing down. About sipping wine as the Alps roll by. About talking to strangers who become friends over dinner. It’s travel as theater, and you’re not just watching—you’re part of the cast.
What makes the Orient Express different from other luxury trains? It’s the legacy. While newer trains like the Trans-Siberian or the Rocky Mountaineer focus on views and comfort, the Orient Express carries the weight of Agatha Christie novels, 1920s aristocrats, and Cold War spies. It’s the only train where your outfit matters as much as your destination. That’s why the train travel style, the way people dress and behave on long-distance luxury rail journeys, blending vintage aesthetics with modern practicality here feels so deliberate. It’s not about being rich—it’s about being intentional. About choosing to slow down in a world that never stops rushing.
Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve taken the journey—what they packed, what they wished they’d known, and how they turned a train ride into a memory that lasted longer than the trip itself. Whether you’re planning your first luxury rail adventure or just curious about why people still care about this train, these stories will show you why the Orient Express isn’t just a route—it’s a return to something deeper.
