Fashion Mistakes To Avoid At All Costs When Flying

When you know you will be traveling by plane, you want to make sure you feel your most comfortable, especially for long flights. However, if you don't want to sacrifice style for comfort, there are definitely ways to balance both for your flight. Choosing what to wear can feel stressful, but it doesn't have to be. It's all about finding what works, and what to avoid, for your own comfort. How you strategically dress for your flight will not only help you look your best while you're in the air, but it can also be for the good of your health and safety. And many of the most classic stylish airport outfits feature comfortable, practical pieces that will improve your flying experience.

Figuring out what not to wear when flying doesn't have to be a headache. You certainly don't need more stress on top of working out what to pack for your trip. With the following tips, you can make your flight as pleasant and comfortable as possible. 

Avoid wearing constricting clothing. When you're up in the air, you are more prone to cramping, swelling, and bloating due to the pressure. Additionally, because of these conditions during a flight, you want to make sure you have a healthy blood flow. Tight clothing in combination with sitting for a long period of time can constrict this healthy blood flow, potentially putting you at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, which is a type of blood clot, per Airfarewatchdog. Plus, you want to feel as comfortable as you can in your travels.

If you are tempted to wear your cutest heels on your flight, you might want to reconsider. Wearing heels or backless sandals may not be the most comfortable, practical, or convenient shoe for the whole process of getting onto your flight. In case of an emergency, this type of footwear would not bode well with the situation either. "High heels and backless sandals make it difficult to quickly evacuate the aircraft, and heels can possibly cause further damage to emergency exits or hurt others if they go flying off somehow," American Airlines flight attendant Andrea Fischbach tells Who What Wear. Fischbach recommends avoiding these shoes for sanitary reasons as well.

Layering up for your flight is the best way to tackle many climates in one. Additionally, it is one of the most convenient ways to make your comfortable outfit even more flexible as you settle into your flight (via SmarterTravel). For example, you might be traveling to a warmer climate and may be tempted to wear skimpy clothing. However, the plane ride may get really cold. This is where layering will become your best bet to tackle multiple temperatures in one sitting. Plus, if you begin feeling stuffy or warm during your flight, you can always remove your coat or your cardigan for the most comfort. Layering allows flexibility between your outfit and your comfort.

Sitting in your chair is not the only thing you have in store during your air travel journey. Comfort in your choice of clothing and accessories can affect your walk to your gate, your walk through security, boarding with limited space, loading, and unloading. There's a lot to do in the short timespan you have, and you're not the only one who has to go through these processes. Because of this, you want to avoid wearing metal jewelry or statement pieces due to their material and sometimes their shape. Fischbach also tells Who What Wear that "anything that looks like a potential weapon is a no-go, so use your imagination at times." Setting off security isn't the most convenient thing to have happen in the rush of an airport.

If you wear contact lenses at all times, you might want to set them aside for the duration of your flight. ContactsDirect explains that the plane cabin can be a very dry environment during flying, which then affects your nasal passages, your skin, and your eyes. The lack of humidity can be challenging. Because of this, you also want to make sure you are drinking enough water to keep hydrated. Avoid the discomfort of dry eyes while you wear your contact lenses and opt for your glasses instead.