There are a few things that people facing airport security will want to ditch when planning their outfit
Millions of people will pass through airports across the UK this summer for long-awaited breaks in sunnier places. But, people heading abroad can make one part of the travel process simpler by choosing to leave some items at home.
TikTok user and frequent flyer Melanie (@comehangout_melanie) said that there are four items that might “cause you to get held up by security.” When getting to the plane can often seem to take hours, people will want to avoid making these wardrobe mistakes that could extend the process even further.
The first, and most obvious one, is not to wear anything metallic, if possible. It’s a standard part of airport security around the world for travellers to pass through a metal detector. If it detects any sort of metal object, staff will pull you aside and complete extra safety checks.
These sensitive devices are designed to be triggered by hazardous items, but can just as easily flag something innocent you’ve forgotten to remove, like jewellery, hairpins or loose coins in your pocket. Melanie added that it can be “a pain”, so if it can be avoided, it’ll speed up the whole process.
Melanie also advises against wearing specific shoes if they are hard to take on and off. She explained: “Most airport security, not all, will make you take your shoes off. There is nowhere to sit to take them off or to put them back on. If people are in a rush, you are gonna have a very annoyed line of people behind you if you’re taking a long time to get your shoes off.”
In some UK airports, you may be asked to remove your shoes at security, particularly if the metal detector is triggered. This is a standard security procedure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
Certain clothes might be comfy for a long flight, but Melanie claimed there are some you should leave at home – or at least keep in your suitcase. They might cause issues with security checks or attract unwanted attention.
She said: “Don’t wear clothing with a lot of pockets or details on it—that includes cargo pants. There are a lot of zippers on those, which could be an issue, but if you actually store things in all of those pockets, it can be difficult to remember to take them all out. If you are in line and having to dig through all of your different pockets to clear them all out, that’s a no-no!”
Baggy clothes —such as “pants, shirts and even flowy dresses”—were also highlighted as something to avoid. Melaine claimed that these outfit options were “far more likely to lead to a pat down” than more fitted clothing, suggesting that baggy items might be used for “hiding things underneath them.”
What to expect at airport security in the UK
Several steps need to happen before airport staff can let you head off on holiday. According to the GOV.UK website, the safety checks include having your boarding pass ready for inspection—your passport is not required at security.
If you are taking liquids in your hand luggage, containers must hold no more than 100ml. Passengers should put appropriate-sized liquids into a clear resealable plastic bag which holds no more than 1 litre and measures about 20cm x 20cm.
Take the plastic bag out of your hand luggage while queuing, ready to put it in the security tray. Remember that liquids may include items such as make-up, toiletries and hand sanitisers.
Empty your pockets, take off your coat, watch, and belt, and remove other metal items when you near the front of the queue so you’re ready to put them in the trays. You may be asked to remove your shoes, other clothing items, or jewellery before going through the security archway or scanner. Electrical items such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and hair straighteners should be removed from hand luggage to go through X-ray machines separately.