When planning an outfit for a lengthy trip, comfort is usually a top priority.
On the day of travel, I prefer to wear my most comfortable clothing, typically consisting of joggers, a t-shirt, and a jumper. This is because boarding a plane often means encountering a chilly environment due to numerous small fans blowing cold air at passengers throughout the cabin.
While my main concern is comfort, some people aim to appear ‘presentable’—I’m referring to parents over the age of 45. However, an aviation expert has advised that one should consider whether their attire is suitable for an emergency situation.
Here’s a list of items to avoid wearing on your next flight in case of an emergency.
Aviation safety expert Christine Negroni points out that opting for leggings on a flight may not be the safest choice.
“[Leggings] will either melt on your skin or cause serious burns,” in the event of a fire, she told Huffington Post. “[It] is not something you want to wear on an airplane because the largest risk in a survivable air accident is fire.”
This is primarily because many popular brands incorporate petroleum products and synthetic fibers into their clothing.
Next on the list are sliders, flip-flops, and high heels, and the reason is likely obvious. Safety is the concern, especially if an emergency arises.
Andrea Fischbach, a flight attendant with American Airlines, explained to Who What Wear: “I would really advise against high-heels or flip-flops or any slides, mostly for safety purposes.
“If there is an evacuation and slides are required, your high-heels will have to come off, as they can puncture the slide,” she continued.
“Who knows where and in what conditions you’ll land. Plus, they aren’t very practical running gate to the gate.”
Many people remove their shoes during flights—I’m guilty of this on long trips—but if it’s a short flight, I keep my shoes on. Negroni advises against going barefoot.
“If you escape an aircraft, the floor could be very hot or cold, it might be covered in oil or on fire, or in a cornfield – you won’t want to be barefoot,” she explained to The Sun.
This last consideration isn’t about safety in emergencies but rather about hygiene.
Flight attendant Tommy Cimato mentioned on TikTok, “You never know how clean the seat is going to be – so if you have pants, you’re going to have less germs.”