What to Wear for Air Travel

Choosing what to wear for air travel not as easy as it may seem. During a flight to Europe or state-side, travelers face quite a few challenges: airports that are too cold, airplanes that are too hot, swollen feet because of high altitudes and there are also clothes that are safer to wear on a plane than others. What a traveler chooses to wear during an airplane trip can effect the whole experience.

Dress with Layers

Wearing layers allows a traveler many options. When you wears layers, it makes it easy for you to take clothes off or put clothes back on if you get too cold, especially considering the temperature in airplanes can fluctuate often during a flight. Layers are also recommended for people traveling between destinations with different climates. For example, if a traveler leaves Chicago wearing a sweater over a dress, it can easily be removed and thrown in a purse or tied around the waist once the traveler arrives in Miami.

Dress with Security In Mind

Considering heightened security measures, it is important to dress with security in mind. It is an inevitable part of air travel - the check point and getting through it can be a breeze when a traveler is prepared, or when a traveler isn't prepared, it can hold up many travelers already anxious to get onto their destination. When dressing to travel, avoid things that will take a long time to remove or that will give a security guard cause to pull one to the side. Avoid belt buckles, loose change, and jewelry. A traveler should also always wear socks. Ending up barefoot in the security line is fine, but there are plenty of germs and going barefoot in those parts is the quickest way to dirty up a pedicure. Also, consider wearing flats that are easily slipped on and off. Sneakers are always a good choice because they are comfortable. Considering feet will swell at a higher altitude, wearing high heels can prove to be a excruciatingly painful decision.

Dress with Safety In Mind

Although many of us fly numerous times throughout the year and air travel is relatively safe in every regard, it is not a bad idea to dress with the worst possible case scenario in mind in terms of airline safety. All in all, the safest airline travel clothes are made with fire resistant materials. These include clothes with such fabric as: cotton, wool, denim and leather. Synthetics like nylon, polyester and rayon will easily melt and catch fire in the event of flames. Wearing panty hose and tights is absolutely not recommended. For women who are flying for a business trip and need to dress professionally, keep a pair of nylons in a purse to change into. Wear slip-on flats and socks during the flight. Additionally, when possible, it is recommended that travelers wear long pants and long sleeves when flying to protect against debris, fire and any sort of natural or unnatural element that could potentially harm the traveler.

Dress for Comfort

Ultimately, it is important to dress as comfortable as possible. Wearing athletic pants, comfortable t-shirts and warm socks is always a smart way to dress. It is important to avoid clothing with itchy or rough fabric, for comfort reasons. For long trips, it is important to dress so that one can sleep if need be and move around. Many people bring along pajama pants for overnight flights and use their sweaters and extra shirts as pillows or blankets if they have chosen to layer. Dressing in a way that is going to get you where you are going comfortably is inevitably the most important thing to consider when deciding what to wear during a flight.

• USA Today; What to Wear - and Not to Wear - At the Airport; Harriet Baskas; 2008
  http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/baskas/2004-06-29-baskas_x.htm
• Road and Travel Magazine; "Just In Case - What to Wear for Air Travel"; Courtney Caldwell
  http://www.roadandtravel.com/traveladvice/whattowear.htm