When you're preparing for a long day of air travel, you want to make sure you pick out the right outfit. You may want to dress up, but if you dress too formally, you won't be very comfortable. However, you also don't want to just wear your pajamas, since you will still be around a bunch of strangers. It can be tough to find the perfect balance, but there are some clothes you should definitely rule out the next time you're going to be on an airplane. From uncomfortable shoes to excessive perfume, let's take a look at some things you should never wear on an airplane.
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00:00Next time you're taking a trip, give yourself a minute to look around the airport. You'll see
00:05fellow travelers rocking their personal style, whether it's comfortable sweats or glammed-up
00:10maxis. But no matter what you're rocking, here are some jet-setting don'ts we should all be aware of.
00:16It's complicated
00:17Most trips on a plane mean you'll be sitting in a tight space for an extended period of time.
00:22And don't forget the bathrooms, either. Make sure to avoid any outfits that will be too
00:26complicated to get off and on in those teeny-tiny laboratories. Hidha Palipu, author of How to Pack
00:32and founder of the site Hidha on the Go, says jumpsuits are difficult to remove in teeny
00:37bathrooms. Also, avoid short skirts or dresses and anything low-cut. Karin Vembar, co-host of
00:43the Pop Fashion podcast, recommended staying away from anything that is fussy. You want to
00:48be able to be comfortable. Your best outfit of the day
00:52Considering your Instagram habit, it's tempting to break out a brand new outfit for your flight.
00:57But relationship expert April Messini says,
00:59Never wear anything that, if it gets spilled on, will supremely bum you out.
01:04It's very easy to spill or get spilled on when there's turbulence and elbow-to-elbow seatmates.
01:09You were in the dust bowl and you got thrown a bunch of paint all over you. What would that look
01:14like? Me. Save your outfit of the day for when you're officially off-duty.
01:20Highs and lows
01:21With the fluctuating temperatures on planes, it's hard to know how to dress. Messini notes,
01:26Planes have a funny way of getting chilly, so don't wear something for hot weather,
01:30even if you're traveling to a hot-weather climate, without bringing layers to snuggle
01:34up in during a plane ride. But planes can also get pretty hot. Richardson says,
01:39Wearing layers means you can adapt to whatever the temperature on the flight is that day and
01:43throughout the flight. Meanwhile, Aaron Hochul, who travels extensively for business in sneakers,
01:49said one thing he never travels in anymore is flip-flops. He explained,
01:53Let's face it, airplanes can get very hot and that means sweating. It is incredibly
01:58embarrassing to smell your own feet at the start of a five- or six-hour cross-country
02:02flight with no options to cover them up. While we're on the subject of footwear, killer shoes.
02:08When it comes to your feet and flying, go for comfort over style. You never know how
02:13far away your gate will be, so make sure you're able to easily walk or run. Throw some cute heels
02:18in your carry-on if you're hitting a trendy spot as soon as you arrive. Redfin chief economist
02:22Nila Richardson says, It's common knowledge that your feet will swell on a plane, so I like to
02:28avoid heels and wear shoes that are cute but comfortable, like a pair of Mary Janes that
02:32have a good insole or a pair of stylish sneakers. PJs
02:36There's so much to do on the morning of a flight, so sometimes getting dressed just seems like too
02:41much work. However, you're still going out in public. Don't show up to the gate agent in your
02:46jammies. Vembar says, I know that airlines are such a pain these days, but dress up a smidgen.
02:51It's okay if you wear athleisure wear, but think of your fellow passengers and try to put on a
02:56fresh set of clothes before you board. Heavy metal
03:00Going for a little sparkle? Don't forget about getting through security. Vembar notes,
03:04This one is a bit of a surprise, but did you know that a number of sweaters that look metallic
03:09actually have metallic threads woven through the garment? Not wearing this is more about
03:13the hassle you will get through security because you will absolutely be stopped before you even
03:18make it to your gate. Making scents
03:21Be mindful of your fellow passengers when applying your favorite perfume or lotion before
03:25your flight. Vembar recommends anything scented should be applied with a light touch. This is
03:30being a good neighbor because you never know what type of allergies people have around you.
03:35Baggy clothes
03:37When you travel, you want to be comfortable, so chillaxed clothing might seem like a good
03:41choice. However, it may also make you look a tad suspicious. Tracy Edwards from Triple A
03:47Travel Sales told CBS News,
03:49Loose clothing will cause some delays because they think you're hiding something under there.
03:53Save the mystery for Vegas.
03:55Get comfortable
03:57So what can you wear on a plane? Pallapoo says,
04:00My go-to travel outfit is skinny ponty pants, a longer t-shirt, a cardigan or blazer,
04:05comfortable flats, and a scarf wrapped around my neck. I also like a full monochrome look
04:10with wide-legged pants, matching t-shirt, and a draped trench all in the same color.
04:14Think easy-breezy when you choose your look. Pallapoo says,
04:18Maxi dresses are great when traveling to a warm location,
04:21topped with a denim jacket. Just stuff the jacket in your bag and you're ready to hit the beach.
04:25Too much jewelry will hold you up in security, but wearing a great scarf instead can keep you
04:30warm and looking chic on the flight. Overall, just make sure you're comfortable, just not
04:35too comfortable.
04:36Dress code
04:38Leggings may seem like the perfect travel pant, but they could keep you from boarding your flight.
04:42In 2017, United Airlines landed in hot water for not allowing two teenage girls wearing
04:47leggings to board. The airline tweeted,
04:49The passengers this morning were United Pass riders,
04:52who were not in compliance with our dress code policy for company benefit travel.
04:56But even if you disagree with the dress code, it's not going to change.
04:59Virgin America CEO David Kush told Fox News,
05:02In the end, the flight crew's in charge of the aircraft,
05:05and they have to make judgments based on what they think is going to create the
05:08safest and most comfortable environment for everyone on the airplane.
05:12It's policy. I'm sorry.
05:14Oh, this is a very, this is a very strict plane that I'm on.