When you’re getting ready to board a plane, comfort is key, and avoiding any hassle at airport security is crucial. That’s why picking the perfect airport outfit strikes a balance between looking stylish and feeling at ease during your travels.
However, looking great shouldn’t lead to inconvenience, especially as a travel expert recently revealed a fashion choice to avoid at the airport: something that might seem cute but can get you singled out for a full-body search.
Travel whiz Laurie, known on TikTok as @travelby_laurie, issued a specific caution, stating: “Do not wear these in airport security to help you not be delayed.”
READ MORE: Driving expert’s life-saving tip to ‘correct’ car if you skid as temperatures drop
As part of her useful advice, she noted tying any item around your waist is a bad move; instead, put it in the tray for scanning. Making such small adjustments before heading through security can significantly reduce stress and streamline the process.
Furthermore, Laurie suggested shedding any extra layers, like sweaters (if wearing a T-shirt) or jackets, before screening to avoid having to pass through twice. “Just put it in the basket [tray] and wear it on the plane,” she recommended.
Laurie has a crucial tip that may change your travel outfit choice, and it’s to completely avoid sequins.
She reminisces about a Christmas Day fashion mishap, warning: “Do not wear sequins like I did on Christmas Day years ago [because] it could just delay you from getting to your flight.”
Commenters questioned the advice, leading to an explanation rooted in Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines. Sequinned clothing, among other flashy items, can trigger security sensors, leading to extra screenings.
A preventive advisory via Facebook was shared by the TSA, writing: “Sequins & beads & shiny threads, oh my! If your holiday sweater has these things, it often alarms our security equipment for additional screening.
“Here’s our #HolidayTravel fashion tip: Dress for comfort instead! We recommend packing those jingle bells sweaters for your trip instead of wearing them to the airport.”
Exasperated travellers are sharing their experiences with sparkly attire, causing unnecessary delays. One noted that even small amounts of sparkle could cause trouble: “I know even a few ‘sparkles’ on jeans or top will set off the alarm!”
Meanwhile, another expressed their exasperation with stringent airport rules: “With how ridiculous you are about everything, it’s a wonder that wearing clothes is still permitted.”
The conversation then steered towards jewellery, with someone suggesting removal until post-flight on TikTok comments. A query was raised about body scanners’ ability to discern harmless metal objects like jewellery from potential threats.