As a flight attendant, I've seen my fair share of interesting outfits on planes. Some people dress to impress, while others seem to be more concerned with comfort. But there are a few items of clothing that I would never recommend wearing when flying. Here's an overview of what to avoid wearing on a plane and why.
Revealing Clothing
Revealing clothing like crop tops, booty shorts, or plunging necklines should be avoided when flying. There are a few reasons why it's best to steer clear of skimpy outfits on a plane:
Disrespectful to Fellow Passengers
Wearing overly revealing clothing on a plane can make other passengers uncomfortable. When in such close quarters, it's best to be respectful of those around you. Booty shorts or crop tops can be distracting and inappropriate when sitting elbow-to-elbow with strangers.
Take other people's sensitivities into consideration. A plane is a public place, so dress accordingly. You never know who may take offense to a risque outfit. Children in particular don't need to be subjected to overly sexualized clothing.
Risk of Wardrobe Malfunctions
Revealing clothing comes with a higher risk of wardrobe malfunctions. Outfits can ride up or shift around during the flight, exposing more than intended. With flight attendants and other passengers walking by frequently, accidental exposure is more likely to happen.
Spending hours in a cramped seat also increases the chances of clothing slipping or needing adjustment. Quick access to bathrooms is not always guaranteed, so pick outfits that will stay in place to avoid embarrassment.
Difficulty Getting Comfortable
Skimpy outfits are often uncomfortable for long flights. Crop tops can leave your midriff exposed to chilly cabin air. Booty shorts lack coverage when sitting for hours. You'll likely spend more time adjusting your clothes than relaxing.
Going with a more conservative option means you can sit comfortably without worrying about your clothing. You want to minimize distractions so you can sleep or read in peace.
Excessively Tight Clothing
Avoid wearing excessively tight clothing like leggings, skinny jeans, or form-fitting dresses on a plane. There are some disadvantages to wearing tight items mid-flight:
Restricts Movement
Skin-tight pants or dresses can limit mobility in your seat. This gets uncomfortable over long periods of time. You need to be able to stretch your legs, reach luggage, and access seat pockets without restriction.
Tight bottoms can also be difficult to remove quickly when using the lavatory. You don't want to be caught in a position where you have to struggle with your clothing. Opt for straight leg pants or looser dresses to allow for easier movement.
Causes Discomfort
Tight clothes compress the body and can cut off circulation. This leads to discomfort like tingling, numbness, or swelling in the limbs when seated for hours.
Prolonged compression from tight garments can also trigger conditions like varicose veins, blood clots, and nerve damage over time. Save the skinny jeans and spandex dresses for short trips instead.
Exacerbates Swelling
Sitting immobile in tight clothes can exacerbate swelling and bloating, especially in the legs and feet. It's best to avoid any clothing that leaves compression marks on the skin. This includes shapewear, restrictive waistbands, or slim-fit pants.
Be kind to your body by wearing looser, breathable fabrics on a plane. You'll feel much more comfortable.
Excessively Loose Clothing
While tight clothing causes problems on planes, excessively loose outfits come with their own drawbacks:
Gets Caught on Objects
Baggy clothing is prone to getting snagged on seat arms and tray tables. Oversized sleeves can knock drinks or accidentally press buttons. Wide pant legs can get tripped over when navigating the aisles.
Loose scarves and shawls also run the risk of getting caught in the moving parts of your seat. Avoid fluttery fabrics that hang and flow freely.
Causes Distractions
Ill-fitting outfits flap around and make noise as you move, which can be annoying to those seated around you. Baggy pants swish, oversized tops rustle, and flowing cardigans whoosh. Others don't want to hear your clothes in action throughout the flight.
Choose well-fitted clothing in smooth fabrics that won't flap about or make noise. It's just courteous to fellow passengers.
Impedes Movement
Just like excessively tight clothing, loose outfits can also restrict mobility. Wide legs and dangling sleeves limit range of motion. Flowy wraps and scarves blow into your face when moving about the cabin.
Stick to well-fitting clothing that won't catch on things or get in your way. You want to be able to comfortably access overhead bins and lavatories without a wardrobe malfunction.
Clothing With Sharp Objects
Any clothing that incorporates sharp objects should be avoided on planes:
- Belts or shoes with metal buckles, studs, spikes, or other hardware
- Jewelry like rings, bracelets, necklaces, or earrings with pointed edges
- Jackets or hats with exposed pins, brooches, or clasps
Sharp adornments present safety issues should an accident occur. Here's why it's crucial to remove pointy accessories before flying:
Increased Risk of Injury
Pointy objects can stab or scrape bare skin in the case of turbulence or a crash landing. Studded belts, large statement rings, and edgy chokers become safety hazards in unfavorable conditions.
Buckle up safely by removing all non-essential sharp objects before takeoff. This protects both you and your fellow passengers. Leave the spike heels and metal belt buckles at home.
Poses Damage Risk to Plane
Sharp jewelry and shoe hardware also pose risks to the interior of the plane itself. They can scratch leather seats, tear mesh pockets, rip upholstery, and dent tray tables.
Remove or cover any sharp adornments to avoid unintentionally damaging the aircraft during your flight. Flight attendants will thank you!
Sets Off Metal Detectors
Pointy metal accessories set off security alarms at airport checkpoints. This forces you to remove and recover all your various piercings, rings, bracelets, etc.
Save yourself the hassle by just leaving sharp, beeping objects at home if possible. Then you can breeze right through security and to your gate.
Excessively Warm Clothing
Avoid bundling up in layers of wool, down, and fleece assuming the cabin will be cold. In reality, airplane cabins are climate controlled and quite comfortable. Dressing too warmly leads to the following issues:
Causes Sweating and Discomfort
The cabin is pressurized and lacks humidity, so it feels warmer than you expect once seated. Wearing warm winter gear will likely cause you to overheat, sweat, and feel clammy.
Oversized wool coats and down jackets are not airline-friendly. Opt for light layers you can peel off to prevent sweating through your clothes.
Takes Up Extra Space
Bulky sweaters, fuzzy coats, and cold weather boots take up a lot of room in the compact cabin space. This encroaches on your neighbor's area and makes it hard for them to move about freely.
Avoid overstuffed winter wear that expands your footprint. Stick to streamlined layers when packing for a flight.
Difficult to Remove Mid-Flight
If you do get overheated in chunky layers, it can be challenging to remove them in cramped quarters. You run the risk of bumping neighbors or getting tangled up.
Choose items that are easy to slip on and off over clothes in case you need to adjust mid-flight. Skip the complicated coats and dense layers.
Excessively Cool Clothing
While it's not common, some people do show up improperly dressed for cold cabin conditions:
- Flimsy sundresses, skirts, or shorts
- Tank tops or crop tops
- Open-toed shoes like flimsy sandals or flip flops
- Sheer fabrics that don't provide warmth
Dressing too coolly for a chilly plane can lead to the following problems:
Causes Discomfort
Flimsy outfits don't retain heat and will leave you feeling cold. Bare legs and arms exposed to frigid air cause discomfort over several hours. Delicate fabrics also provide no warmth or protection.
Dress appropriately for the climate controlled plane interior. Light sweaters, closed-toed shoes, pants, and long sleeves are ideal.
Risk of Illness
Exposing too much bare skin in a cold cabin raises the risk of getting sick. Viruses spread easily from person to person in an airplane's confined space.
Stay healthy by covering up from head to toe when flying. Don't give germs an entry point.
Lack of Sleep
Shivering from cold prevents you from sleeping or relaxing during the flight. You end up miserable and exhausted upon arrival.
Pack a sweater, socks, and a blanket when traveling to allow for proper rest. Don't let poor outfit choices ruin your trip.
Uncomfortable Clothing
Packing uncomfortable clothing defeats the purpose of dressing well for a flight. Avoid these outfits and fabrics:
- Stiff denim, leather, vinyl, and other non-breathable fabrics
- Restrictive waistbands, corsets, shapewear, and compression garments
- Ill-fitting clothing that digs, squeezes, gaps, or pinches
- Heavy metal buckles, clasps, and closures
- High heels, tight dress shoes, or restrictive boots
- Itchy wool, scratchy lace, or irritating sequins
The goal is to maximize comfort from take-off to touch-down. Here's why unpleasant fabrics and fits lead to misery in the air:
Causes Physical Discomfort
Uncomfortable materials and cuts distract from relaxation. Stiff seams, tight collars, and pinching shoes make it impossible to get cozy. You'll fidget rather than unwind.
Choose soft, stretchy clothing that allows you to move, breathe, and recline with ease. Seek total comfort.
Worsens Health Issues
Any points of compression or restriction in clothing can exacerbate circulation disorders, nerve pain, swelling, and joint issues over the duration of a flight.
Avoid inflammatory fabrics and overly restrictive fits. Opt for loose, breathable, and stretchy instead.
Prevents Sleep
It's hard to nap or snooze when your outfit is physically irritating. Seatmates don't want to hear you constantly rustling around and adjusting ill-fitting clothes either.
Travel in clothing that lets you drift off without discomfort or disruption. A peaceful cabin makes for happy passengers.
Leads to Skin Irritation
Chafing seams, itchy fabrics, and heavy metal hardware cause skin irritation during prolonged wear. This can ruin vacation plans.
Choose soft, breathable, lightweight fabrics to prevent contact irritation issues in the air. Your skin will thank you.
Dirty or Smelly Clothing
Never board a plane in dirty, unwashed clothing. Grease-stained shirts, musty jeans, and stinky shoes offend fellow passengers. Avoid these pitfalls:
Causes Offense
No one wants to sit by someone wearing visibly dirty or smelly clothes for hours at a time in an enclosed space. It's rude and inconsiderate to others' comfort.
Pack clean clothes in your carry-on. If laundry isn't possible, at least Febreze smelly items before flying.
Spreads Germs
Dirty clothing often carries more germs, increasing sickness risks. This impacts older and immunocompromised passengers most in tight quarters.
Wash and dry your clothes thoroughly before a flight to stop the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Makes You Feel Gross
Being stuck in unwashed clothes you've traveled in for 12+ hours leaves you feeling pretty disgusting. You want to be fresh upon arrival, not grubby.
Toss lightly worn items in your carry-on to change into. It makes a big difference in comfort.
Causes Embarrassment
If your poor hygiene is called out by staff or a fellow passenger, it's mortifying. Don't let lack of clean clothes ruin your reputation.
Maintain your dignity by putting on a clean outfit before flying. You'll make a better impression on those around you.
What to Wear On a Plane?
Here are some comfortable, appropriate options for what to wear when flying:
Tops
- Long sleeve t-shirts or breathable blouses
- Light cardigans or knit sweaters
- Button-down shirts or flowy swing tops
- Turtlenecks or crew neck sweatshirts
Bottoms
- Stretchy jeans or joggers
- Straight leg chinos or trousers
- Leggings with long tunics or dresses
- Elastic waisted skirts or dresses
Shoes
- Tennis shoes or slip on sneakers
- Loafers or ballet flats
- Supportive sandals
- Compression socks with close-toed shoes
Accessories
- Neutral colored scarf
- Lightweight blanket or shawl
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Neck pillow
- Eye mask, ear plugs
Outer Layers
- Denim, corduroy, or fleece jacket
- Water-resistant windbreaker
- Light cardigan or hoodie
- Fedora, beret, or newsboy cap
The most important thing is dressing for comfort, modesty, and cultural appropriateness when traveling by plane. With some savvy packing, you can look and feel great from take-off to landing.
Conclusion
The cabin of an airplane exposes you to close quarters with strangers for hours on end. As such, it's important to avoid wearing anything too distracting, revealing, or uncomfortable when flying. Seek out breathable fabrics that layer well and allow for ease of movement. Be mindful of noises and odors your outfit choice may impose on others in the tight space. Don't wear anything that could be deemed unsafe or culturally inappropriate either. If in doubt, always err on the conservative side when deciding what to never wear on a plane!
