Flying overseas is an exciting prospect, but according to Laurie, the wife of a pilot and an experienced traveller, your choice of in-flight wardrobe matters more than you might think. In a video shared on her YouTube channel, Travel Tips by Laurie, she outlined several clothing items she recommends avoiding on an aircraft, prioritising practicality and comfort over style.
Laurie, who has been a pilot's wife for 23 years, recounted personal mishaps with white clothing. "In the airplane, I recommend not to wear white," she said. "I did twice in my 23 years as a pilot's wife at the beginning, and I got smudges on my jeans from bringing my luggage down from the overhead bins and pizza stains inside the airport that some other passenger had eaten and dripped some on the boarding gate seats."
She also cautioned against wearing complicated jumpsuits, explaining that they add stress, particularly in the tight confines of an aircraft lavatory. "Do not wear complicated jumpsuits. Why? Because they're complicated. They're going to add stress to you, especially inside a tight, cramped lavatory inside the airplane," she advised. Her recommendation: "My travel tip is to pack that outfit and avoid wearing it in the airplane."
Beyond style and convenience, Laurie highlighted health considerations. "Do not wear stiff leather or stiff denim, because it restricts your blood flow," she warned. Tight-fitting clothing can restrict circulation, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where blood clots form in deep veins, often in the legs during long periods of immobility. Cabin pressure changes can also cause the body to swell, making tight waistbands and stiff materials feel even more uncomfortable.
Instead, Laurie suggests opting for garments that maximise comfort from boarding to baggage claim. "While I sometimes wear trendy pieces, this video is going to focus on cosy, stretchy and versatile garments you should be wearing and a few to avoid," she said. Comfortable options such as joggers or leggings are preferable, as they allow for easier movement and better circulation during the flight.
The advice comes as part of a broader conversation about travel attire. Previously, a flight attendant also shared tips about clothes to avoid when travelling, though specific details of that advice were not included in Laurie's video. For now, Laurie's message is clear: when it comes to flying, comfort and practicality should take precedence over fashion.