What Not to Wear on a Plane: 7 Airplane Outfit Mistakes to Avoid

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Travel days have a way of exposing every bad clothing decision we make. Shoes that seemed comfortable at home start rubbing halfway to the gate, a waistband suddenly feels two sizes too small, and anything dragging on the floor becomes horrifying the minute you step into an airplane restroom.

I’ve made enough of these mistakes over the years to know what I don’t want to wear when I fly. I still want to look pulled together, but not at the expense of being comfortable for several hours in a cramped seat.

Here are the seven things I usually leave at home, and what I wear instead.

What Not to Wear on a Plane

1. Wide-Leg Pants That Drag on the Ground

I love a good pair of wide-leg pants, but I leave the extra-long ones at home when I fly. Between airport floors and airplane restrooms, I don’t want my hems anywhere near the ground.

If I wear them, I make sure they’re short enough to clear the floor with my travel shoes.

WOMAN IN AIRLINE TERMINAL WEARING WHITE SHIRT, STRETCH MIRAMAR JEANS AND COMFY SNEAKERS — **TALBOTS NO IRON WHITE SHIRT** / **RAG & BONE WIDE LEG SWEATPANT ANKLE JEANS** / **ON CLOUD SNEAKERS** / **OVERNIGHT BAG** / **FANNY PACK BAG** / **COTTON CARDIGAN OVER ARM**

2. Brand-New Shoes

Shoes can feel perfectly comfortable at home, but walking long concourses, standing in lines, and rushing to catch connections can prove your shoes weren’t ready for prime time.

One of my favorite pairs of travel shoes that don’t require much breaking in is my Hokas . I reach for them when I know I’ll be walking all day and comfort matters most. I went up a size so my toes have plenty of room, especially with thicker socks. I find the extra cushioning much easier on my feet during a long day of walking.

woman at the airport wearing hoka sneakers, knit pants, cozy scarf and carrying an Antler Carryon — **HOKA SNEAKERS** / **SIMILAR WRAP** / **HANDHELD CARRYON** / **WAIST BELT BAG** / **SIMILAR STRETCH PANTS** / **SIMILAR COTTON TOP** / **ROLLER BAG**

3. Flip-Flops

Most airports require far more walking than we expect, and flip-flops don’t provide much support. They’re also not my favorite choice for public restrooms or crowded terminals, and they can be downright painful if someone rolling a suitcase gets too close for comfort.

Flip-flops certainly make getting through security easier, but that’s about where the advantages end.

Woman wearing supportive ECCO Flowt sandals with arch support and comfort while traveling in Portugal — **ECCO FLOWT 2 BAND SANDAL** / **ENDLESS STRETCH PANTS** / **TANK TOP** / **SIMILAR TOTE BAG** /
**STRAW SQUISHEE PACKABLE HAT** / **SIMILAR STRETCH SHIRT**

If it’s warm outside, I’d much rather wear a comfortable sandal with a secure strap, like my ECCO Flowt 2 Band Sandals, or a supportive slip-on sneaker like these Ecco Soft 7 Sneakers. Both are easy to get on and off, but still practical for all the walking airports require.

4. Tight Waistbands

Even if your jeans feel comfortable at breakfast, they may not feel quite so friendly after several hours in an airplane seat. I look for pants with a little stretch, or some give in the waistband, so I’m not counting the minutes until I can unbutton them. I also shared my travel pants for women that work well for long travel days.

TRAVEL OUTFIT ON WOMAN OVER 50 — **ATHLETA ENDLESS STRETCH PANTS** / **QUINCE QUILTED TRANSIT BAG** / **STRIPED BRETON TOP** /
**SIMILAR KNIT BLAZER** / **NAOT COMFORT SANDALS** / **BEIGE TOTE BAG**

5. Sleeveless or Short Sleeve Tops Without a Layer

Airplane temperatures seem to have a personality all their own. You may be perfectly comfortable walking through the airport, only to find yourself wishing you’d packed another layer once you’re cruising at 35,000 feet.

WHITE COTTON SWEAR AND MIRAMAR FLEECE JEANS ON WOMAN ARRIVING AT AIRPORT — **COTTON CARDIGAN** / **COTTON TANK** / **SIMILAR BANDANA** / **PEARL STUDS** / **SWEATPANT JEANS** /
**WAIST BELT BAG** / **TOTE BAG ON TOP OF ROLLER**

I almost always bring a lightweight cardigan, wrap, or denim jacket. If I don’t need it on the plane, I’m usually glad to have it later in an over-air-conditioned restaurant or hotel.

6. Too Much Fragrance

I enjoy fragrance, but I use a very light hand or skip it when I fly. We’re sitting close to other people for hours, and what smells subtle at home can be overwhelming in a confined space, especially for someone who’s sensitive to fragrance.

What I Wear on a Plane

I don’t have one travel uniform. What I wear depends on the weather, my destination, and how long I’ll be traveling. Here are a few outfits I’ve worn on recent trips that worked well for me.

JENNIFER OF A WELL STYLED LIFE GETTING READY TO BOARD A PROP PLANE WEARING COMFORTABLE SNEAKERS, PULL-ON JEANS, AND FLEECE JACKET — **SWEATSHIRT PEACOAT** / **LANDS’ END WHITE SHIRT** (white appears sold out) / **SLING BAG ACROSS CHEST** / **PULL-ON JEANS** / **SNEAKERS** / **HANDHELD CARRY-ON** / **NECKLACE**

WOMAN AT AIRPORT WEAING COMFORTABLE SHOES, BLACK STRETCH JEANS, COTTON SHIRT AND CASHMERE SWEATER TO LAYER — **MARGAUX MARY JANE FLATS** / **STRAIGHT LEG JEANS** / **SHOULDER BAG** / **COTTON GAUZE SHIRT** / **CASHMERE SWEATER OVER SHOULDERS** / **ROLLER CARRY-ON BAG**

JENNIFER FROM A WELL STYLED LIFE WEARING FLEECE TRAVEL SET AT AIRPORT — **BLACK FLEECE TRAVEL SET** / **MADEWELL WOVEN TOTE BAG** / **SIMILAR LEOPARD FLATS** /
**LARGE UNDERSEAT TOTE BAG**

JENNIFER CONNOLLY OF A WELL STYLED LIFE BOARDING SEAPLANE IN WHITE JEANS, COMFORTABLE SNEAKERS AND COZY CASHMERE SWEATER — **CASHMERE SWEATER** / **SIMILAR WHITE SHIRT** / **WHITE JEANS** / **SNEAKERS** /
**PACKABLE HAT** / **EXPANDABLE SHOULDER TOTE BAG**

A Few Final Things Before You Head to the Airport

I also look for fabrics with a little stretch that don’t wrinkle easily. Soft knits, cotton blends, and performance fabrics usually hold up much better after several hours in a seat than anything that creases the minute you buckle your seatbelt.

I try to keep my carry-on fairly light too. A heavy tote only gets heavier after a few terminals, so I carry what I actually need and let my rolling bag do most of the work.

Should You Dress Up for the Airport?

Years ago, flying felt like an occasion. People dressed up, and airports had a very different vibe than they do today. That’s changed, but I still don’t think the answer is showing up in pajamas…which I see surprisingly often.

I want to be comfortable when I travel, but I also want to look polished. For me, getting dressed with a little care is a form of self-respect, and a small courtesy to the airline staff who are taking care of us along the way. I’m perfectly happy to dress up a bit for a flight, as long as I can still sit, walk, and haul my suitcase comfortably.

More Travel Style Tips

If you’re planning a trip, you may also like my guides to travel bags and suitcases for women, supportive travel shoes for women over 60, and wrinkle-free travel clothes.

What do you usually wear when you fly, and is there anything you’ve learned never to wear on a plane?

7 Things I Never Wear on a Plane (and What I Wear Instead)