Leave the High Heels and Shorts at Home
Everybody hates packing, especially for long flights, but knowing the ins and outs of travel attire makes the whole process a lot easier. We’re here to break down what clothing makes the most sense and which items to leave at the gate.
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
1. Too Much Cologne or Perfume
No one wants to get trapped with pungent passengers—too much cologne and perfume is a huge disturbance to fellow travelers. While a few spritzes aren’t the end of the world, dousing yourself in perfume is a good way to get stink eye from your seatmate.
2. Open-Toed Shoes
For hygienic reasons, open-toed shoes are usually a no-go. The last thing you want is for your bare feet to come into contact with airplane carpets, or worse, touch anything in the bathroom. Plane temperatures are also pretty hit-and-miss, so you’ll likely have frigid toes!
3. Jeans
If you can stomach a restrictive waistline, be our guest. However, most travelers know better than to wear tight-fitting clothes. Flights call for comfortable outfits and you won’t get one breath in if you’re in jeans. And on long journeys? Forget about it.
4. Excessive Jewelry
A wedding ring here, a bracelet there. Jewelry isn’t off the table, but too much of it is more hassle than it's worth. You not only hold up other passengers during airline security, but you also run the risk of items getting caught (hello, injuries) or stolen.
5. Too Many Layers
Seasoned travelers know that plane temperatures are…questionable. So, it makes sense to bring multiple layers right? Wrong! You won’t need all that clothing and shed layers only take up space in the overhead bins. Keep it simple and bring a sweater to your seat. Everything else can go in your suitcase or remain at home.
6. Offensive Clothing
You might think that shirt is funny but airlines don’t always agree. Believe it or not, passengers have been turned away for wearing overly offensive clothing, so stow that inappropriate shirt in your suitcase and save yourself the trouble.
7. Cumbersome Items
Sure, that wrap dress looks cute now—but it won’t be fun in the bathroom. Avoid wearing complicated clothes on your flight; zippers, lace-up clothing, and constricting items will only be a pain.
8. Jumpsuits or Rompers
It’s common to assume that one piece of clothing is easier to maneuver, but it’ll be a nightmare in the bathroom. Remember: airplane bathrooms are closets at best, so wear something you can easily remove during those mid-flight breaks.
9. Uncomfortable Bras
Uncomfortable bras are bad enough during the day, let alone a nine-hour flight. Underwires are the enemy, both for your comfort and security gates. Stick to sports bras or wireless alternatives for maximum comfort.
10. Too Much Makeup
Long flights and makeup don’t mix. Between dry air on the plane and long travel times, too much makeup does more harm than good. To avoid breakouts and flaky skin, stick with tinted moisturizer or a totally bare face.
11. High Heels
While we love a good heel, they’re hardly ideal for flights. It’s bad enough cramming into coach without adding sore feet to the mix; stick with slip-on shoes for more comfort and better breathability. (Walking shoes also make airport navigation easier.)
12. Lace-Up Shoes
Though lace-up shoes aren’t the end of the world, they don’t hold a candle to simple slip-ons. It’s much easier to kick off your shoes at the gate than to fiddle with any laces, especially on popular brands like Doc Martens. Pack them away to keep the line moving.
13. Uncomfortable Socks
Let’s take a moment to appreciate compression socks! They’re perfect for blood clot prevention, which is important on long flights, and ensure your comfort for hours in the sky. Swap out ordinary socks for these guys—they’re a game-changer.
14. Shorts
Shorts are ultimately a personal choice, but they’re not always the best option on planes. While it’s true that long flights bring the humidity, shorts also leave the door wide open for germs and skin contact with strangers. Breezy fabrics are just as comfortable, so consider those for your next flight.
15. Chunky Hair Clips
Large hair clips get the hair off our face but they don’t do any favors once we actually board. You can kiss comfort goodbye without a scrunchie on hand—unless, of course, you don’t mind a plastic clip digging into the back of your poor head.
16. Delicate Fabrics
Delicate fabrics are best left in our suitcase. Though they offer new worlds of comfort, they’re also at a greater risk of tears or stains during the flight. Do yourself a favor and leave the silks and laces in your carry-on.
17. Floor-Length Skirts
As if tripping over yourself wasn’t bad enough, floor-length skirts scrape every filthy surface on planes and in the airport. Protect yourself from the horrors of plane bathrooms and stick with shorter cuts (less fabric is also easier to handle in the bathroom).
18. Heavy Winter Items
Bulky winter coats are just as cumbersome as excessive layers. Whether you stick it in the overhead bin or keep it in your lap, heavy jackets only weigh you down. While you don’t need to leave it behind, its size is something to consider.
19. Pajama Pants
We’re big fans of comfort but pajama pants are a step too far. You’re in public so it’s important to dress like it—pajamas not only cross the line into overly casual, but you might even experience slower service from staff.
20. Overly-Revealing Clothing
Remember how we talked about offensive clothing? Revealing items are just as inappropriate, and can easily get you in trouble with airline staff. To make matters worse, some airports still implement business-class dress codes, and you won’t get anywhere if you’re not dressed the part.
