The 8 pieces of clothing you should never wear to the airport (2024)

FAQs

What clothes should you not wear at the airport? ›

Baggy clothing can include low-hanging pants, flowy skirts, heavy sweaters or sweatshirts, and loose dresses—in other words, things that would allow malicious travelers to hide prohibited items.

What Not to Wear: Cargo Pants or Shorts. “Cargo pants and shorts are one of the most difficult items of clothing at the airport,” Pruitt advises. “All the different pockets become a major hassle because they almost always set off the alarm.

Light Colors

Darker clothes travel better, for a number of reasons, including the simple fact that a spill or stain is less likely to be noticed on a dark garment. And given the airlines' dismal record on lost luggage, you should assume you'll have to wear the same clothes tomorrow -- and maybe even the day after that.

Sitting still in a cramped seat for hours is not the time for your stomach to be grappling with a stiff denim waistband. A more comfortable yet equally smart alternative are trousers with drawstring or elasticated waists.

According to the TSA, deodorant is technically legal to carry onto a plane, as long as it is in a liquid or aerosol form and it is TSA approved. The TSA has strict rules about liquids and gels in checked bags because they want to make sure nothing dangerous is going through security checkpoints and onto airplanes.

Stephanie Lee, a writer for the blog Airline Tips, shares that “Airline staff may subconsciously perceive passengers in red as more important or of higher status, leading to enhanced customer service experiences.” Red is attention-grabbing, so your outfit could result in more attention from flight attendants.

Pajamas. We're all for being comfortable on a flight, but since you do have to be out in public, it's best not to wear pajamas to the airport and onto the plane. "Instead, wear loose-fitting, comfortable pants with an elastic band," said Susan Fogwell, a former flight attendant with 22 years of experience.

“You never know how clean the seat is going to be – so if you have pants, you're going to have less germs.” Essentially, by covering your legs, you minimize the amount of contact you have with the seat on a plane – something that's not always clean.

They're the obvious comfy choice of clothing for a long flight - but next time you're heading on a break, you should think twice about wearing leggings for your flight. According to one aviation expert, they are one of the most dangerous things a passenger could wear if an emergency occurs onboard.

Yellow inside an airplane can make our eyes tired.

While yellow is a color that evokes happiness, it is such a bright color that it reflects more light and hence could stimulate the eyes too much.

What clothes are best to fly in? ›

Tips for What to Wear on a Plane

No one wants to sit through a seven-hour flight in constricting jeans or too-tight shoes — soft, stretchy, and stylish clothing is the way to go. Athleisure sets, loose-fitting pants and tops, and slip-on shoes all make for comfy and convenient plane outfits.

When it comes to comfort, as previously mentioned, many air travelers make the decision to wear sweat pants and a comfortable top. In addition to being comfortable, you will find, in most cases, that these types of clothes are the best for airport security, especially when entering airport screening checkpoints.

They're rarely ever cleaned. Beyond that if you need to evacuate using the slide it's best to have your legs covered as bare legs will cause friction and you'll have burns from the slide. Aside from the variable temperature on aircraft that can make it very cold would be another reason to wear pants.

When it comes to comfort, as previously mentioned, many air travelers make the decision to wear sweat pants and a comfortable top. In addition to being comfortable, you will find, in most cases, that these types of clothes are the best for airport security, especially when entering airport screening checkpoints.

At airports, they try to keep them adjusted so people going through wearing jeans will not set them off. That's part of the reason you need to remove your shoes (metal eyelets, metal sole support, metal heel supports), jewelry, belt (buckle) and all items in your pockets.

Sure, leggings and jeans are fine for getting through security, but they may not be as suitable for when you are actually on the plane. This is because tight clothing can restrict blood flow which can heighten your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can cause blood clotting.

Flight dress codes

Clothing must cover the upper part of the torso, such as a tank or halter top. Clothing must cover the lower part of the torso, such as shorts. Passengers must wear footwear unless the guest cannot do so due to a disability or physical condition that prevents them from doing so.