I’m a flight attendant – avoid wearing these clothes on the plane

At the airport, runways are strictly for airplanes, not fashion.

When it comes to high-mileage style, it’s best to keep your stilettos in your suitcase and opt for comfort according to American Airlines flight attendant Andrea Fischbach.

But the cabin crew’s fashion connoisseur assures travelers that “it is possible to dress comfortably and still look stylish.”

“I would advise against anything really tight,” Fischbach told Who What Wear. “You want to be as comfortable as you can be to avoid cramping, swelling and anything that could affect you later.”

It’s common to be bloated during or after a flight due to changes in air pressure and water retention, which means stretchy fabrics and sweaty clothes are a traveller’s best friend on a flight. Not to mention, there is a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, a type of blood clot, while flying on an airplane due to the lack of mobility.

“It’s very important to be able to move a little bit in your seat — very difficult, I know — and keep the blood flowing,” Fischbach said, adding that “as cool as they can be, leather pants maybe are not is not the best.

“If you are tall, travel a lot or are on a long flight, this is extremely important because you face the risk of developing DVT.”

Thankfully, many companies are starting to design garments with a little hand in the fabric and, most importantly, the waistband.

“A lot of dress pants have a little bit of stretch now, always a more comfortable choice in any situation,” Fischbach said, while recommending that travelers who need to bring a blazer can ask flight attendants to hang it in the closet.

And, in an emergency, some clothing choices can hinder your ability to get out of danger and evacuate the aircraft.

Fischbach personally prefers a long-sleeved shirt and long pants to cover her skin, warning that “emergency slides are no fun to go down and get hurt.”

“The more surface area of ​​your skin you cover, the more protection for your largest organ,” she explained.

Best case scenario, you’ll at least stay warm on planes, which are extremely cold.

“Virtually every flight, I see someone with almost no clothes on — T-shirts with shorts; sports bras and leggings with no jackets; bathing suits and shorts. You name it; chances are we’ve seen it,” she said. recommending passengers to travel with a spare change of clothes in case of emergency.

“And virtually every time we see this, these are the people who want a blanket on flights that we don’t provide. We all know planes are freezing and it’s just common sense to dress for it.”

Then there’s the matter of the fabric’s flammability—and your fringed jacket might be best packed in your carry-on.

“Going a bit extreme here, but there’s always a long-sleeved risk if the plane has a fire,” she continued, advising travelers to wear non-hazardous clothing.

She added: “While our uniforms have polyester in them, I always wonder and worry that they could be a hazard if they get too close to the extreme heat and melt on us.”

Fischbach also warned against ill-fitting shoes, such as heels or backless sandals, which are difficult to wear when trying to evacuate and can pose a risk for blisters or others to slip.

“I would really advise against high heels or flip flops or any slips, mainly for safety purposes,” she said. “If there is an evacuation and slides are required, high heels will need to be removed as they can puncture the slide. Who knows where and under what conditions you will land. Plus, they’re not very practical door-to-door.”

Pumps can also set off metal detectors due to their construction, and slip-on shoes can easily come off you and keep you from frigid cabin temperatures or unsanitary on-board restrooms.

“That’s not water on the floor (yes, use your imagination), and the sandals invite any liquid that is to splash on your feet,” she noted.

Wearing jewelry is not advisable when going through TSA security checkpoints, as it can ignite cars and some metal objects can be perceived as weapons.

“I always make sure to remove all jewelry before I go to the airport and keep it in a convenient place after I go through security,” Fischbach said. “I’ve got my Cartier Love bracelet off and trying to pry it off with a nail is no fun – especially when you’re frantically trying to do it.”