14 Things You Should Avoid Wearing On A Road Trip

It probably goes without saying, but road trips can be incredibly fun, though that fun can wane depending on your wardrobe. Whether you're traveling with your best friends, your partner, your family, or even by yourself, hitting the open road gives you the opportunity to see new things and make amazing memories. This can be true whether you're making a short trek to a city a few hours away or going on an adventure across the country.

One thing that can totally suck the fun out of a road trip, though, is your clothing. We're not talking about the clothes you wear once you reach your destination; we mean the ones you wear while you're driving (or riding along). An eight-hour drive could easily feel like 18 if you're wearing a shirt with an itchy tag or a pair of pants that are super constricting. Taking a little time to plan out your travel 'fits so that you know you'll be comfortable — and cute — can help take some of the stress out of a long road trip and ensure that you can focus on the things that matter most, like having the best time.

Whether you're behind the wheel or in the passenger seat picking out the playlist, one of the most important things to consider on a long road trip is comfort. The last thing you want to do is spend hours trying to sit still and focus on the road when your bra is bugging you. Underwire bras — or any bra that doesn't fit, for that matter — can be uncomfortable and distracting when you're sitting in one spot for a long time. And, really, this goes for everyday life, not just traveling. "A bra should not be uncomfortable, and if it's uncomfortable, it probably isn't fitting properly," Elisa Lawson, owner of the Women's Health Boutique at Mercy's Weinberg Center, told Real Simple on the matter.

While any bra that's too tight could cause discomfort, underwire bras stand to do the most damage. Not only could the wire from an underwire cause itching or irritation, but if it broke through the bra, it could also poke you and pierce your skin. Of course, underwire bras can have some benefits, like providing lift and creating a structured look, so we're not saying they don't have a place in your wardrobe. You just probably shouldn't wear one on a road trip.

Just as you should avoid a tight, uncomfy bra, you should avoid uncomfortable underwear. This means underwear that is too tight or that is made of fabrics that won't let your skin breathe. You should also take the style of underwear you wear into consideration. Thongs can be great for avoiding panty lines and can be genuinely comfortable. That said, wearing one can be a common habit that causes yeast infections. They could also potentially put you at greater risk for things like vaginal itching, which you absolutely don't need to deal with while adventuring. 

On this, Felice Gersh, M.D., OB/GYN, founder of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, told Healthline, "Thongs made from a synthetic material that traps and retains moisture and can disperse fecal material into the area of the urethral opening can potentially increase vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections." She also notes that while the style of your underwear can matter, the fabric you choose is what's key: "Choose organic cotton as the fabric type and be sure they fit properly and aren't overly tight." Easy enough!

Wearing lots of jewelry might not cause a health issue the way that wearing the wrong underwear might, but wearing flashy jewelry could pose some safety risks, especially when you make stops in unfamiliar places. Loud jewelry could draw a lot of extra attention to you, and not in a good way. Basically, having — and showing off — expensive-looking jewelry could potentially make you a target for theft, which is one of the last things you want when you're traveling in an unfamiliar area (especially if you're traveling solo).

Another reason to avoid wearing too much jewelry boils down to practicality. While it might be fun to layer on all of your favorite jewelry, it could get uncomfortable and even distracting while you're on a long drive. Not only that, but leaving your jewelry at home could help you travel lighter. Traveling with less could take some stress out of the packing process and give you more time to focus on things like perfecting your travel skincare routine.

Driving around in your swimsuit could seem super tempting, especially if your destination has a body of water calling your name. That said, there are multiple good reasons to keep your swimsuit in your suitcase. One of them is similar to the reason you may want to avoid wearing underwear made of synthetic fabric: your gynecologic health. According to Tia Guster, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist at Piedmont, "Bathing suits are the perfect breeding ground for yeast." While this is especially likely to happen if your swimsuit is wet, a swimsuit could potentially trap moisture when dry, as well, since they're often made from synthetic fabrics.

That's not the only reason to avoid wearing a bikini while you're in the car, though. In the event that you get into an accident, wearing only a bathing suit could put you at risk for burns, chafing, and even skin damage from your seatbelt.

You might think that the footwear you choose for your road trip doesn't matter much because you'll be seated most of the time. However, that isn't the case. Your footwear can most definitely impact your comfort, as well as your ability to drive properly. This is especially true when it comes to high heels.

No matter how cute or comfortable a pair of heels is — or how much you think they pull your outfit together — they are best avoided on a road trip, especially if you're the one behind the wheel. The primary reason for this is that heels make it harder for you to judge how much pressure to put on the pedal while driving, which means it may be harder for you to control your speed or stop on time.

It isn't just high heels you need to look out for, either; you should also steer clear of tight shoes in general, as they could pinch or constrict the nerves in your feet and cause numbness and tingling. Getting good circulation to your feet and legs while sitting still for long periods can already be an issue on a road trip, so wearing any kind of shoe that constricts blood flow could potentially increase your discomfort. If you're looking for a great summery road trip shoe, consider indulging in a pair of dad sandals.

Comfort may be the name of the game when it comes to selecting clothes for road trips, but you can have too much of a good thing. Pajamas may seem like a great idea for staying comfy on a long road trip, especially if you have to get up early and want to just roll out of bed and go. However, if you need to go in public, they could be seen as inappropriate. According to Clinton Kelly of "What Not to Wear," who spoke to CNN, pajama-like outfits are "a universal fashion affront tied into social appropriateness." 

While wearing your pajamas in your car might not be a big deal, if you need to stop anywhere, like a gas station, grocery store, or restaurant, they might not make the best impression on others. Not only that, but they might draw some extra attention to you, which isn't necessarily something you want when you're in a new and unfamiliar place. If you truly want to be comfortable but also feel polished, there are plenty of travel outfits you can try that are both chic and comfy. For instance, opting for some slacks, loose-fitting linen pants, or something flowy and bohemian are great ways to go.

When you're driving a long distance, the last thing you want to do is put on a bunch of bulky clothes. That said, wearing some layers can be a great idea. This is especially true if you're driving across areas where the temperature changes noticeably, like from the North to the South (or vice versa) in the U.S. Having an extra layer on is also advisable since temperatures are likely to change throughout the day, no matter where you are. Wearing easy-to-remove layers can help you stay comfortable no matter what climate you're in. According to travel expert Bobby Laurie, who spoke to Travel + Leisure, you should "wear layers so you're prepared if it's cold, and remove layers if it's hot."

Taking some time to consider the weather of the places you're headed is important, too. If you're driving through areas where it's super sunny, making sure you have a hat on hand, along with a light jacket or sweatshirt, can be beneficial.

Wearing jeans that are too tight can take the fun out of any situation, and road-tripping is definitely no exception. What could be worse than spending hours trapped in your seat wearing pants that dig into you and compress your stomach? Not only is it uncomfortable, but it could also be unhealthy. "Tight-fitting clothes have the capacity, when 'too tight,' to put additional stress on the stomach and intestines," registered dietitian Michelle Rauch explained to Healthline. Basically, too-tight jeans are not the way to go, 

Instead of opting for a pair of skin-tight skinny jeans (which may be a bit out of date, anyway) or some super-stiff denim that you can't move in, you may be a lot better off wearing an old, worn-in pair of jeans. You could also opt for the relaxed-fit denim jeans trend, which will allow you to look put-together while still keeping comfort in mind.

For those who like to look polished and professional no matter the situation, some typical office clothes might seem like a natural choice for a road trip. While a crisp blouse or pair of slacks might make you feel put-together and relatively comfortable, after a few hours, they'll likely be creased and sloppy-looking.

That said, it's more important to be comfortable on a road trip than to make sure your outfit is picture-perfect. If you really want to wear your business casual duds on your road trip, opting for some fabrics that are less likely to crease and wrinkle can be a good idea. If possible, seeking out some clothes with lyocell can be a good idea. Not only is it a sustainable fabric, but in addition to being wrinkle-resistant, it's also great at letting your skin breathe, unlike other wrinkle-resistant fabrics (such as polyester and nylon) that can trap moisture.

Similarly to too-tight pants, tight belts can be detrimental not only when it comes to comfort but also potentially your health. Tight belts constrict your stomach and can put pressure on your esophagus, which could lead to things like acid reflux and heartburn, which you definitely don't need to deal with when you're trying to get through a long drive. On this, researcher Kenneth McColl of Glasgow University's Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences explained to the Daily Record, "Unlike the stomach, which is designed to withstand this, the gullet is damaged by the acid. This causes heartburn and, in the longer term, possibly oesophageal cancer."

Even though you likely won't develop a serious health issue from wearing a tight belt on a road trip, the risk of serious discomfort just isn't worth it. The same goes for other big accessories. Wearing a big sun hat or bedazzled sunglasses might make you feel fabulous, but these kinds of accessories can be distracting and could negatively impact your ability to see while you're driving.

If you want to wear an outfit that's guaranteed not to wrinkle or a style that's form-fitting and easy to move in, then you may be thinking about tossing on your favorite athletic gear. Things like moisture-wicking yoga pants might seem like the perfect option for a road trip, and, in some ways, these types of outfits can be great, as they're likely to be comfortable. There's one big drawback, though, and that's the fact that a lot of athleisure is made with fabrics like nylon and polyester, which don't breathe well.

When you wear fabrics that don't let air in and out, this could mean trapping heat and sweat, especially if you wear them more than once between washes. If all you had to worry about was a little extra sweat, it might not be a big deal. The reality is, though, that wearing these kinds of fabrics for an extended amount of time can lead to body odor, tinea versicolor (a skin fungus), and yeast infections. According to Kelly Reynolds, PhD, of the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health, if your clothes are made of fabrics that take more than a couple of hours to dry, "then you're potentially incubating a lot of bacteria that could cause a problem" (via SELF). A great way to avoid this is to opt for athleisure that's made primarily of breathable fabrics, like cotton.

Depending on where you're headed, you might need a big, thick coat for your trip. That doesn't mean you should wear it in the car, though. A bulky coat could easily make you too hot and could also make it difficult to move around in your seat. Similarly, while long coats like trenchcoats and ultra-long wool overcoats might be in style, they may not be the most practical choices when you're going to be spending a lot of time sitting in your car.

When it comes to the kind of coat you wear, opting for something like a light, packable puffer could be helpful, as could wearing a vest, which could keep you warm while allowing for a greater range of motion. Layers are another great thing to consider. Wearing a thin base layer under your clothes could help insulate you without adding any extra bulk.

Do you have a cute top that's totally comfortable except for its itchy tag? Even if you're tempted to wear it anyway, it's probably better not to, especially if you're the one behind the wheel. The same goes for clothing made of itchy fabrics. When it comes to natural fabrics, one of the itchiest offenders is wool. While a wool sweater may seem like the perfect layer to keep you warm, the truth is that if it makes you itch too, it might not be worth wearing. When it comes to man-made fabrics, nylon can also cause irritation and may not be the best option if you're about to head out on a long drive.

Similarly, fabrics with lots of dye or chemicals (like garments that need to be washed separately or that are permanent press garments) could lead to irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. Clothing with lots of embroidery and appliqués also has more potential to be itchy, so you may want to pass on those, too.

Revealing clothing items, whether it's your favorite short-shorts or a lacy tube top, can be a lot of fun to wear and a great way to express your style. That said, if you're traveling in unfamiliar areas, it may be a better idea to wear clothes that aren't too revealing. The primary reason for this is that showing off more skin can also draw more attention to you, and not all that attention may be good attention.

When you're traveling, it's often a better idea to keep a low profile, especially if you're traveling alone. If you're traveling solo, you may be more vulnerable than if you were traveling with others. Also, even if you're traveling somewhere that's super safe, knowing a few tips to stay safe when solo traveling can help give you an extra feeling of security, which can reduce any anxiety you're feeling about traveling alone.