Despite how much we covet celebrity airport style, it’s not always so easy to figure out what we should wear on a plane when push comes to shove. After all, stilettos and high-waisted leather pants look great in paparazzi shots of stars strutting through airport terminals, yet in action, these statement-making ensembles can prove a bit trickier. And though we’d all love to look our best when hitting the skies, certain wardrobe pieces are best left in a checked bag or carry-on. Who better to inform us of what to never wear on a plane—and what to wear instead—than someone who works at 35,000 feet?
We reached out to American Airlines flight attendant Andrea Fischbach to spill her list of things you shouldn’t wear when flying—for the sake of comfort, practicality, and safety—as well as her recommendations for what you should wear instead. Keep scrolling!
Wear: Pants With an Elastic Waist
“I would advise against anything really constricting,” says Fischbach. “You want to get the most comfortable you can be to avoid cramping, swelling, and anything that can affect you later.” Allowing for healthy blood circulation is especially important to avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, usually in the legs. “It’s very important to be able to move around a bit in your seat—very difficult, I know—and keep your blood flowing,” Fischbach explains. “If you are tall, travel a lot, or are on a long flight, this is extremely important because you face the risk of developing DVT.” More innocuously, swelling in the stomach can also occur, causing discomfort—especially if you’re in restrictive clothes. “Bloating is a major issue, even for flight attendants, so wear something comfortable around your waist like elastic,” suggests Fischbach. “As cute as they may be, leather pants probably aren’t the best.”
H&M
Wide-Leg Joggers
Varley
The Relaxed Pants
SKIMS
French Terry Joggers
Splits59
Reena Pants
Wear: A Long-Sleeve Cotton T-Shirt
While a fire may be one of the last things on your list of concerns when flying, it is something to take into account when dressing for your flight. Fischbach names fringe and flammable materials as hazardous items should there be an emergency. “Going a bit extreme here, but there is always a risk with long fringe should the plane have a fire,” she says. “While our uniforms have polyester in them, I always wonder and worry myself that they could be a hazard if they got too close to extreme heat and melt on us.” Though Fischbach admits it’s a bit morbid (and most likely nothing to worry about), it is a scary reality in the event of an emergency. “I traveled a lot growing up, and one rule my mother made me follow that I continue to follow to this day is to always have my body covered,” says Fischbach, who opts for long sleeves and pants. “Emergency slides are not fun to go down and hurt—a lot—and it’s not a smooth landing once you reach the end of the slide,” she explains. “The more you cover the surface of your skin, the more protection for your largest organ.”
We The Free
Two’s a Charm Long Sleeve
