What to Wear When Flying

The thought of travel might be exciting or scary for you. Perhaps you’re a veteran traveler, or maybe this is your first trip abroad. In any case, you’re wondering what to wear when flying.

If you’re not a business traveler and you’re on a long flight, opt for comfortable clothing. Loose jeans and a t-shirt or polo shirt, along with a zip-up sweater in case you get cold, will serve you well. For women, the same applies, but if you want to look fashionable, remember practicality too. You could opt for a knee-length skirt or dress, but make sure you pick one that you’re comfortable in.

For business travelers, you might not have to wear itchy suits or uncomfortable dresses. If possible, wear comfortable clothes on the plane and bring a change of clothes in your carryon bag. You can change in an airport bathroom and still look professional as you arrive at your destination.

With the tightening of airport security regulations, try to avoid wearing metal in your outfits. Make sure you have non-holey socks, and that your shoes are easy to get on and off — some airports require you to put your shoes through the x-ray machine. Many men’s belt buckles also set off the metal detector, so ensure your pants won’t sag too much if you’re required to remove your belt!

If you have spiked jewelry, safety-pin earrings, or sharp rings, you might encounter a problem — remember that security might ask you to remove those items or else not board the plane. Try to stick to plain or no jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc, and avoid this hassle.

Aside from practicality and the speed of getting through airport security (the less metal you have, the less likely you are to need a secondary search performed, and thus the faster you’ll get through security), no real restrictions exist on what you can wear on an airplane, within reasonable limits. Feel free to wear comfortable clothing and enjoy your flight!