A seasoned travel creator has revealed that certain clothing choices could increase your chances of being flagged at airport security.
Mitch is one half of the YouTube channel Project Untethered, where he and his partner share videos and updates from their travels across the globe.
His travel story began with a 10-month solo backpacking journey through South America, which eventually brought him to Cali, Colombia.
Although he originally intended to stay there for just a few weeks, he met Day during the trip, and the pair have since continued exploring the world together.
After years of travel, Mitch has built up plenty of practical advice on making airport experiences less stressful and avoiding unnecessary delays.
One of those tips focuses on what you wear when heading through security screening.
According to Mitch, one item that can occasionally cause issues is an underwire bra.
He explained that the metal wire can sometimes trigger airport scanners, although that may depend on the bra itself or how sensitive the screening equipment is at a particular airport.
“For women, there are mixed reports on whether their underwire bra sets off security, so perhaps it has to do with how thick the wire is, or maybe certain airports have more sensitive scanners than others,” he said.
Because of that, some travelers may prefer to skip underwire bras when flying, especially if they have previously been selected for additional screening.
There is no blanket TSA ban on underwire bras or cargo pants, but the agency does note that even items that are generally permitted can still lead to extra screening if they trigger an alarm or raise a concern during the checkpoint process. In practice, that means clothing with metal components, bulky layers or lots of pockets can sometimes slow things down.
Mitch also pointed to cargo pants as another item that can sometimes draw extra attention.
While the multiple pockets can be handy during a trip, those same pockets may make the screening process a bit more complicated.
“Many travelers say they have no problems with cargo pants, but I’ve also heard stories of travelers who get stopped every time they wear their extra pockety cargo pants,” said Mitch.
He added that he tends to avoid them anyway, simply because it is easy to overlook something stored in one of the deeper pockets.
“Either way, I prefer to avoid them because it’s easy to forget you have something buried deep within those pockets that you need to remove,” he said.
That lines up with broader airport advice: the simpler your outfit, the fewer things there are to empty into a tray, explain to security staff or accidentally leave behind in a pocket. Shoes that are easy to remove can also help speed things up, and TSA has long advised passengers to think practically before they reach the checkpoint.
Travelers in the United States should also remember that airport screening rules have tightened in other ways. TSA now requires acceptable identification for adults 18 and over, and as of May 7, 2025, standard state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted at TSA checkpoints. That will not affect what you wear, but it is another area where being unprepared can create delays.
Beyond security concerns, Mitch also recommends dressing in clothes that are comfortable and practical in case of an in-flight emergency.
Serious incidents on planes are uncommon, but he says it still makes sense to wear items that would be easier to move around in if something unexpected happened.
“The worst clothes for airplane emergencies would be flip flops or sandals that could fall off, shorts or skirts that would make it uncomfortable to slide down the exit slides, or overly bulky clothes that would get caught on stuff,” said Mitch.
“Clothes made of highly flammable materials are also probably not a good idea.”
While most flights pass without any problems, many frequent flyers and airline safety experts make similar points about avoiding footwear that slips off easily and clothing that restricts movement. For long-haul trips, breathable layers are often the safest bet, since cabin temperatures can change during boarding, takeoff and the flight itself.
And for anyone facing a long-haul journey, choosing comfortable clothing is also likely to make the flight far more pleasant from start to finish.