A travel expert shared there’s one particular type of clothing you shouldn’t wear when you go to the airport – despite the fact it looks really cute. And it could cause delays…
If you’re bracing yourself for a lengthy flight, the last thing you need is to be squirming in your seat, constantly adjusting a tight skirt or wrestling with the waistband of those slightly-too-snug jeans that look fabulous but become torturous when you’re seated for extended periods.
This is why selecting an airport outfit can be a nerve-wracking task – you’re aiming for a look that’s sleek, fashionable and seemingly effortless, yet you also want to ensure you can move freely and feel at ease in your attire.
However, there’s more to it than just comfort and style. A travel guru revealed there’s one item you should definitely avoid wearing to the airport – no matter how adorable it may look – as it could land you in the hot seat for a full body search.
Laurie, who shares her travel tips on TikTok under the handle @travelby_laurie, cautioned: “Do not wear these in airport security to help you not be delayed.”
Firstly, she advised against having any items of clothing “tied around your waist,” suggesting instead it should be placed in the tray destined for the security scanners.
In the high-pressure environment of airport security, where you’re tasked with emptying your pockets and belongings into a tray for scanning, it’s all too easy to overlook items, so it’s best to make life simpler by avoiding additional items on your person.
Also, don’t forget to remove extra layers, such as jumpers (if you’re wearing a T-shirt underneath) and jackets, to avoid being asked to go through the scanner again. “Just put it in the basket [tray] and wear it on the plane,” she recommended.
Yet, there’s a certain beloved wardrobe staple, as pretty as it may be, that she insists you should steer clear of when jetting off, and her advice resonates with many. Laurie cautioned: “Do not wear sequins like I did on Christmas Day years ago [because] it could just delay you from getting to your flight.”
Down in the comments, a curious user inquired: “Why no sequins on a flight?” In response, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has highlighted that sequins, along with other glitzy items, might trigger security alerts.
On Facebook, they issued a pre-holiday heads-up, plus an all-year-round tip, saying: “Sequins & beads & shiny threads, oh my! If your holiday sweater has these things, it often alarms our security equipment for additional screening.
“Here’s our #HolidayTravel fashion tip: Dress for comfort instead! We recommend packing those jingle bells sweaters for your trip instead of wearing them to the airport.”
A frustrated flyer remarked: “I know even a few ‘sparkles’ on jeans or top will set off the alarm!” Meanwhile, another exasperatedly said: “With how ridiculous you are about everything, it’s a wonder that wearing clothes is still permitted.”
On TikTok, amid the comment chatter, one suggested jewellery too should be removed and “put back on at the other end,” prompting a query from another: “Do you not have body scanners?” which supposedly can discern jewellery from potentially dangerous metals.