Stop Wearing This on a Plane: “It Can Cause More Problems Than You Think”

Planning a trip abroad is one of life’s most exciting feelings, but most of us don’t spend nearly enough time thinking about what we’re actually going to wear on the flight. It seems like a trivial decision, but the wrong outfit can turn a smooth journey into a genuinely uncomfortable one. There are unwritten rules when it comes to dressing for air travel, and getting familiar with them can make a real difference. Luckily, a few experts have stepped up to share exactly what to avoid.

Laurie, known online as Travel Tips by Laurie, recently went viral for sharing her honest take on airport fashion. As someone who spent 23 years as a pilot’s wife, she has plenty of firsthand experience to back up her advice. One of her top warnings is to skip wearing white. She explained that she wore it twice at the beginning and ended up with stains both times, once from lowering luggage from the overhead bin and another time when a fellow passenger’s airport pizza ended up on the seats near the gate.

She also strongly cautions against wearing complicated jumpsuits or rompers on a flight. According to Laurie, the issue is simple, they add unnecessary stress, especially when you’re dealing with a tiny, cramped airplane bathroom. Her suggestion is to pack those pieces and save them for your destination instead. She rounds out her advice by warning against stiff leather or rigid denim, both of which restrict blood circulation during long periods of sitting.

The concern around jeans in particular goes beyond just comfort. When cabin pressure changes, it’s common to experience some bloating, and that’s when a tight waistband or unyielding fabric can become genuinely painful. Beyond the discomfort factor, restrictive clothing can actually impede proper blood flow, which raises the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, commonly known as DVT. Heavy denim and thick belts also tend to slow things down at airport security, which is never ideal when you’re already juggling bags and boarding passes.

The conversation around what to wear on a plane isn’t just about comfort, it also touches on safety. Aviation safety expert Christine Negroni strongly advises passengers to avoid leggings and other tight synthetic garments. In the event of a cabin fire, synthetic materials can melt and fuse to the skin, causing serious burns. She recommends opting for clothing made from natural fibers like cotton, which will burn rather than melt if exposed to flames.

Flight attendants tend to echo the comfort-first mindset but also bring hygiene into the picture. Airplane carpets and surfaces are not always as clean as they look, which is why most crew members recommend skipping shorts and sandals. Closed-toe, comfortable shoes like sneakers are the go-to recommendation, as they’re practical for navigating airports and much safer if an emergency evacuation is ever needed. Layering is also encouraged since cabin temperatures can swing quite a bit during a flight, and having options makes a big difference. While it might be tempting to wear jeans to save luggage space, the downsides almost always outweigh that small convenience.

If you’ve been guilty of any of these airplane fashion mistakes, share your experiences in the comments!