Dress like a Virgin — or a bit like the airline's attendants

— -- Want to look like a flight attendant?

Virgin America is giving you a chance to dress like you've just stepped off the runway.

Starting Aug. 8, the airline's fifth anniversary, Virgin America's more than 2,000 pilots, flight attendants and other crew will make their debut in modern, sleek uniforms designed by Banana Republic.

The airline describes the line as "utility chic." Think lots of black with red and purple accessories, sophisticated scarves, a red trench coat and a leather jacket.

Travelers, too, will be able to sport the look — or parts of it. Travel pieces inspired by the new uniform will be on sale at select Banana Republic stores and through the shopping section of Virgin's in-flight entertainment system. Because of security concerns, the airline won't sell the exact uniform. But the trench coat, aviator sunglasses and tote bags can be yours for $78 to $250.

Luanne Calvert, Virgin America's vice president of marketing, said that in preparation for the airline's anniversary, "We felt it is time to refresh our look. … We felt this is the right time to hearken back to the golden age of flying."

With the new uniforms, the often-edgy airline is throwing a spotlight back on its attendants after the reality TV program Fly Girls was canceled, as was the series PanAm, a retro-look at flight crews during the glamor days of flying.

Airline apparel has evolved since the 1960s, when looks mattered more. Attendants, all of whom were women, wore colorful, sexy uniforms. Through the years, the outfits became more professional, as airlines shifted their focus to safety and profits, and men joined the ranks.

Only a few airlines have redesigned their uniforms in recent years. Southwest Airlines in March switched to uniforms by casual clothing retailer Land's End. US Airways in 2008 had Stan Herman, a past president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, design new ones.

It took Virgin America 18 months to come up with the new look. Attendants and executives had Project Runway-type sessions before settling on the winning design.

Simon Kneen, Banana Republic's creative director, designed the uniforms so crew members could move around without losing buttons or getting stuck on chairs.

"We wanted to respect the heritage of in-flight uniform design while injecting a modern twist that's both functional and fashionable," he says.

Doreen Lawrence, director of in-flight and catering at Virgin America, recalls wearing uniforms in her three-decade career that were not at all functional. "You'd be doing a demo or lifting a bag, and your skirt would fall right off you," she says.

With the new uniforms, she says, "You feel very confident."