Dressing for a flight can be a complex equation to solve—one that requires considering comfort, your future destination’s weather, and the dreaded airport security dance. After much debate between our team, it’s evident what to wear on a plane comes down to personal style. One man’s cozy sweatpant of choice is another man’s sartorial nightmare. However, our editors can agree on a few things to avoid wearing when traveling. Here’s our agreed-upon list on the things to never wear on a flight and what to wear instead.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
What to never wear on a flight:
Jeans
Instead wear: Stretchy joggers
Sitting still in a cramped seat for hours on end is not the time for your stomach to be grappling with a stiff denim waistband. A more comfortable yet equally smart alternative are joggers with drawstring or elasticated waists. Joggers are slightly more formfitting and tailored than baggy sweatpants, making you look more polished and put together without sacrificing comfort.
Shoes with laces, buckles, or high tops
Instead wear: Slip-on shoes
Even though they’re great shoes to wear on vacation, lace-up sneakers, chunky boots, and heels will only slow you down at the airport when you are asked to remove them to go through security. Pack any sneakers and boots with laces in your carry-on luggage (store them in a packing cube with rolled-up socks), and opt for a sturdy pair of flat slip-on shoes like ballet flats, mules, or loafers instead. If you still want the comfort of a sneaker without needing to pause to untie them, Allbirds’s new Tree Glider can be slipped on and off effortlessly (don’t let the decorative laces fool you).
A romper or jumpsuit
Instead wear: A matching set
Rompers and jumpsuits may offer a relaxed head-to-look look, but their all-in-one style can turn cumbersome when it comes to going for a mid-flight bathroom break. The risk of accidentally having a jumpsuit strap touch the floor, or even the toilet seat, is just not worth it. A better option is a matching loungewear set, which still looks effortless and put together while avoiding having to strip down in the bathroom.
A claw clip
Instead wear: A soft scrunchie or a baseball hat
They’re a cute and effortless way to whip your hair up, but claw clips might be the most uncomfortable things to wear when leaning back against a headrest. For optimal comfort, tie hair up high in a loose bun and secure with a soft scrunchie, or embrace a quiet luxury aesthetic à la Succession and slick hair back underneath a smart baseball cap. Do note though: You must remove your baseball hat when going through airport security.
A bra with underwire
Instead wear: A soft wireless bra
An uncomfortable bra can feel 10 times worse when worn at 35,000 feet in the sky. Since you’ll ideally be wearing a relaxed top on a flight, why ruin it with a rigid bra? These easy-to-wear soft wireless bras and bralettes from Skims, Lululemon, and Quince still offer plenty of sculptural shape and support without the discomfort of wires or straps that dig into your skin.
White or delicate clothing
Instead wear: Darker colors
