When it comes to airport attire, there is a fine line to walk between comfort and presentability. Some prioritise comfort above all else, strolling up to the boarding gate in pyjamas and even a sleep mask to catch up during a long-haul flight.
On the other hand, some business travellers and frequent fliers are of the mindset that an airplane is just a commuter service. Some even believe that dressing up for the airport is a good way to snag an upgrade. Wherever you land on a scale and no matter what airline you are flying, practicality is key. To address the most common airport attire questions, YouTuber Megan has shared some of her best clothing dos and don’ts.
On her YouTube channel, Portable Professional, Megan shares the best footwear and clothing choices to ensure a smooth trip through security checkpoints and onboard your flight.
When it comes to footwear, Megan says that lace-ups are highly impractical for the airport. “Even with the new automated screening lanes giving you your own station to unload, you do not want to be bent struggling with laces while your belongings sit exposed” says Megan.
Megan also says anything footwear that requires balancing on one food should also be avoided, given the limited seating at security checkpoints. Open-toed shoes or socks without sandals are also a no-go given the dirtiness of airport floors.
“Your best option is to wear a pair of comfortable non-slip running or walking shoes” says Megan. “Remember to always wear socks and consider loosening the laces before the security checkpoint so you can easily slip them off and back on.”
Another tip from Megan, consider bringing disposable shoe covers to protect your socks from wet and dirty floors, especially during winter months. Compression socks are also a smart choice as they aid with blood circulation which is critical on long-haul flights.
Moving on to trousers, Megan says that trousers requiring a belt are a “big no” as you will invariably need to remove the belt during security. For business travellers, this may not be a feasible option however, in which case storing your belt in your checked bag and putting it on after passing through security may be a helpful alternative.
Megan also says cargo pants should be avoided, as people often forget small items like coins or keys that can trigger security alarms. Instead, if you’re hoping to prioritise comfort, she suggests opting for pants made of stretchy materials, typically straight-legged or with a tapered ankle to avoid safety hazards. She also suggests opting for a darker colour to hide spills that often come from long travel days.
While jumpers and rompers may seem like an easy and practical choice, these can be a hassle in onboard bathrooms. ”No one wants to be sitting half-naked in a bathroom stall because they decided to wear a romper to the airport,” says Megan.
Finally, when it comes to tops, Megan says it’s best to avoid anything with metallic detailing or threads which can potentially trigger security alarms. For this reason, she says that you may also want to avoid wearing bras with underwires, though more advanced body scanners will likely not flag these as an issue.
Whatever you wear at the airport, Megan says it should be something that you are comfortable moving around in. That includes raising your arms above your head for security and storing your overhead bag, or bending down to load items into screening bins or retrieve bags from a luggage belt.
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