When picking an outfit for a flight, most people prioritise comfort and practicality, especially for long-haul ones.
However, you may want to think twice before reaching for your tight jeans and leggings the next time you fly, as experts reveal these popular clothing items could be some of the worst options to wear on a plane.
This may seem confusing as leggings and jeans are comfortable,and offer warmth as planes tend to get cold. They’re also a fashionable choice for many travellers, however they’re being urged to reconsider.
This shocking information came from a recent conversation a doctor had with the Huffington Post, regarding the dangers of tight clothes whilst flying.
Dr. Hugh Pabarue, a vein specialist with Metro Vein Centers, explained: “’The clothing we wear when we fly can significantly impact our circulation,”
He continued: “For example, tight clothing is not recommended. Wearing leggings and other restrictive garments such as skinny jeans that are too tight reduces blood’s ability to flow into and out of the legs.”
He found that wearing skin-tight clothing whilst seated for hours in a confined cabin can restrict circulation, leading to swollen legs, numbness, or worse – deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where blood clots form in the deep vein, typically in the leg.
“Wearing clothes that are too tight can potentially lead to conditions like compartment syndrome or meralgia paresthetica, causing numbness, tingling, and severe leg pain,” added Dr. Pabarue.
Aviation specialist Christine Negroni, also shared her knowledge on the subject. She agreed with the clothing warning, and added that leggings specifically, pose another problem if there’s ever to be an emergency on board.
She pointed out that in the event of a fire leggings pose a greater fire hazard: “The issue with leggings is the nature of the material.” Since the leggings are made from synthetic fibers, they could result in worse burns.
A flight attendant previously went viral after sharing a post captioned: “Your outfit might be cute at the gate, but at 38,000 feet? Not so much. Here’s what I never fly in and why.”
In the clip Sille can be seen walking down a first class cabin as she asserted that she is speaking from experience, having “seen it all”.
Sille Rydell, claimed items such as shorts, crop tops, and flip flops are all bad choices.
The air hostess also explained that tights should not be worn when flying, as she explained that they could be a safety hazard if there was a fire onboard.
She then suggested some options that have the green light to ensure your safety, style and comfort :
- Slip-on sneakers
- T-shirts
- Lounge sets
- button -up shirts
- Long cotton dresses