When packing for your next vacation, one of the most essential outfits is your airplane ensemble. You want to be comfortable, especially in cramped airplane seats, but you also need to consider temperature changes, air conditioning in terminals, and getting through airport security without incident. Combined, these factors can lead to confusing wardrobe challenges, leaving many to go through their travel day uncomfortable. Start by knowing what to avoid: Here are six items of clothing not to wear on an airplane — and what to wear instead.
Nonstretch Pants
Wearing tight, thick fabric with no give is a surefire way to make a cramped flight even more uncomfortable, and it’s one of the most cited fashion faux pas by flight attendants. Our bodies naturally swell during flights, so dressing in loose clothing is better to keep blood circulating. Avoid fabrics such as denim, wool, corduroy, and leather. Although fashionable, they offer little stretch and can hold heat.
Instead, opt for pants made of looser, stretchier material, such as cotton, polyester, and nylon. Athleisure pants with elastic waists are a great option, from joggers and leggings to business casual-style trousers made from the same comfortable materials. The Gym People offers several styles of travel-friendly pants, such as these stretchy (and affordable) palazzo pants, that can be dressed up or down.
Open-Toed Shoes
Flight attendants also do not recommend wearing open-toed shoes such as sandals, flip-flops, heels, or wedges. Due to the limited space on planes, you’re much more likely to get stepped on, stub your toe, or have luggage rolled across your foot.
For these reasons, choose a pair of closed-toed shoes, preferably slip-ons, for easy removal at security, as recommended by the Transportation Security Administration. Try Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker, a travel shoe that went viral thanks to its supportive insole, waterproof material, and stylish look. For added comfort on long-haul flights, you can also pack a pair of compact slippers in your carry-on to change into later when it’s time to sleep.
Sockless Styles
Don’t forget to wear socks in those close-toed shoes. Even if you’re wearing backless shoes, such as these airport-friendly suede mules, you want to ensure that your feet, from your toes to your heels, are covered. Not only will this help keep you warm at the airport and onboard the plane, but it will also protect your feet from stepping on anything when you remove your shoes for security. As the TSA recommends, “Avoid the cold floor and wear some comfy socks! Make sure you leave the holey ones at home!”
You can wear whatever socks you’d like, but during a long-haul flight, you might be most comfortable in a pair of compression socks, which can prevent swelling and help stimulate proper circulation in the legs. According to the American Heart Association, clinical trials have found that wearing compression socks reduces the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) when traveling on a flight of more than four hours.
Sleeveless Tops
If you’re headed on a beach getaway, it might seem convenient to wear a sleeveless top on the plane. But if you choose to go sleeveless, you should always pack a warmer layer somewhere easily accessible, because the air conditioning on the plane and in the airport will likely be cranked up high — especially in warm-weather places. You can dress up your sleeveless look with a fashionable cardigan or dress down with an athleisure-style zip-up track jacket for easy removal.
Caroline, a flight attendant from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shared on TikTok that dressing warmly is one of her top tips for her passengers. “Always, always, always bring a sweatshirt on the plane,” she emphasizes, “even if you’re going somewhere tropical.” Caroline says that this might seem like basic advice, but you’d be surprised how many times a day she gets asked for a blanket by someone wearing “shorts or a crop top.”
Overalls and Rompers
While overalls, coveralls, rompers, and one-piece bodysuits have made a style comeback in recent years, you should save them for later in your vacation — not on the plane. Airport and airplane bathrooms aren’t the cleanest places, so the logistics of using the restroom in one of these outfits is much more complicated. The last thing you want is for part of your outfit to touch something dirty, especially if you didn’t bring a change of clothes in your carry-on.
Instead, wearing a casual dress or maxi skirt gives the same aesthetic as a romper but without the hassle. A neutral maxi dress can be dressed up or down with simple accessories, a cardigan or blazer, and tasteful shoes — and it’s much more comfortable than tight, constricting pants. You can even add a pair of yoga or slip shorts under the dress for optimal comfort.
Bulky Jewelry and Accessories
Not only can bulky jewelry make it more difficult to sleep in a plane, but you’re also more likely to be flagged by security. In particular, the types of metals used in costume or inexpensive jewelry and accessories may set off the metal detectors, so you’ll have to remove them. Any accessories that could be used as a weapon might also be flagged.
In addition to security issues, you’ll be less comfortable wearing these items on a plane. Accessories like chunky hoop earrings impede headphone usage, and claw clips are difficult to sleep in, so it’s best to skip them altogether. If any of these items are a must-have during your trip, put them in your carry-on bag or checked luggage.
This doesn’t mean you can’t accessorize while flying, of course. Just opt for lighter jewelry and understated accessories. In fact, the TSA recommends wearing any fine jewelry you might bring (such as wedding and engagement rings) through security. Don’t place them in the bin, though — these types of jewelry are less likely to set off metal detectors, and you don’t want to lose them in the security line. As for keeping long hair out of your face during a flight, instead of a claw clip, try a Kitsch scrunchie or hair tie made with snag-free materials that are soft enough to sleep in. These tips and tricks will ensure you stay comfortable for your flight without sacrificing style.
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