What Not to Wear Through Airport Security

There’s no denying it: Going through airport security can be one of the most stressful parts of your trip—especially if you’re facing a long line. While there’s no magic hack to beat the line entirely (TSA PreCheck can certainly help!), there are things you can do to make it easier to get through security once you’ve reached the front of the line. Surprisingly, it also includes strategies for what to wear to the airport.

In fact, there are surprising clothing mistakes you can make that could prevent you from getting through TSA in time, so to do all travelers a favor, we’ve rounded up the 10 most common airport security attire mistakes, and what to wear instead. From avoiding laces and chunky shoes to swapping hoodies for zip-up sweatshirts, these are outfit hacks you’ll be glad to have in your back pocket for all your 2026 adventures.

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Don’t wear: A belt

Wear instead: Comfortable pants

When you’re preparing to go through airport security, you should always consider whether your clothing will set off metal detectors. To that end, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing a belt at the airport altogether — while you can always take it off before going through security, it’ll make the process smoother (and far more comfortable) to wear a pair of stretchy pants instead. These joggers from Automate snap at the ankle, so you don’t have to worry about dragging extra fabric across the airport floor, plus you won’t have to fumble to put your belt back on after going through security, as the waistband is adjustable with pull cords.

Don’t wear: A pullover hoodie

Wear it instead: A zip-up sweatshirt

Heavy clothing can be incredibly comfortable to wear, but it can also be incredibly uncomfortable when it comes to going through airport security. A colleague recently told a story where wearing a heavy hoodie was a problem at TSA, and because they weren’t wearing anything underneath, they weren’t able to put it in the bin and go through the metal detector. So, if you’re still dead set on your baggy clothes, we recommend opting for a zip-up hoodie with a base layer, so you can remove it before security without struggling against the extra fabric. This popular option from Trendy Queen is now on sale for a whopping 46 percent off, and it’ll keep you warm on the flight without causing a problem for the TSA.

Don’t wear: Hard to take off shoes

Wear instead: Slip-on shoes

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Any article of clothing that will slow your progress through airport security should be left at home—and lace-up shoes are hard to pull off. Although it’s no longer mandatory to take off your shoes when going through security in the US, you’d still be better off rocking a pair of slip-on shoes at the airport, so you can slide them off and bin them at TSA. Then, you can quickly get them on your feet, minimizing the time spent standing around barefoot at the airport. That’s 46 percent off Kidmi clogs and they were one of the most stylish trends of 2025, so we suspect the trend will continue this year, especially for travelers. Plus, they pair well with loungewear and more upscale, everyday wear, so you’ll get plenty of wear out of them during your next vacation.

Don’t wear: One-piece clothing

Wear instead: A comfortable matching set

Traveling in a one-piece outfit may seem like a great idea because it streamlines the outfit selection process, but you might want to think twice. If you’re flagged down while going through security, a one-piece outfit can be a problem for getting a full pat down—not to mention it makes it much more difficult to use the restroom without getting completely undressed. However, if you still want to achieve a uniform, streamlined look, a comfortable matching seat like this pair from Wiholl will keep you comfortable without causing security issues.

Don’t wear: Excessive pockets

Wear instead: Pants with minimal pockets

The key to getting through airport security quickly and easily is to take everything (plus extra layers) out of your pockets in time before walking through the body scanners. Unfortunately, clothes with a large number of pockets (like cargo pants) can make this more difficult—we recommend choosing pants with minimal pockets instead, so you don’t forget you have things in your pockets. These high-waisted yoga pants are a sleek choice perfect for travel days because they’re comfortable, flattering, and lightweight, making them a must-have for navigating airport security with ease. Plus, they’re only $15.

Don’t wear: Chunky shoes

Wear instead: Sleek shoes

It’s a common theme that small, oversized items aren’t the best things to wear when going through airport security, and that extends to your shoes as well. Big shoes are best left at home (especially those with metal hardware that can set off metal detectors and scanners), so a sleek pair of slip-on sneakers is a much smarter choice that you’ll be able to wear throughout your trip. These Kizik slip-on shoes are an unbeatable choice, as they can be put on and taken off without using your hands thanks to the amazing slip-on design built into the heels.

Don’t wear: Shoes without socks

Wear instead: Compression socks.

One of the biggest mistakes I ever made at the airport was not wearing socks with my slip on shoes. While TSA PreCheck allows me to keep my shoes firmly on my feet in the US as well as many other countries, I was recently faced with the harsh reality that some countries (like the Dominican Republic) will force you to take your shoes off. So, while we always recommend wearing socks with your shoes at the airport, we also recommend taking things a step further and opting for compression socks, so you can also maintain full circulation during your flight. These adorable compression socks come in a pack of three, so you can be sure to pack a clean pair for your return trip as well.

Don’t wear: Ultra loose clothing

Wear instead: A fitted set

Baggy travel clothes can be comfortable, but they also need a pat down at the airport because they can give the illusion that you’re hiding something on your person. But, since comfort is key on long travel days, the trendy queen 2-piece matching lounge set is a great alternative that’s more accommodating without being restrictive. It’s a top seller on Amazon with over 4,000 sets purchased in the past month, and it’s flattering enough to wear multiple ways throughout your trip, so you can whittle down your packing list.

Don’t wear: A warm jacket

Wear it instead: Wool

If you’re a frequent cold traveler, you may be tempted to arrive at the airport with a warm jacket or vest to combat the winter chill. While you can definitely put this layer on after making it through TSA, a heated jacket can slow you down and hold up the line because you have to worry about the battery pack and cord while you’re taking it off. However, a plush fleece jacket like this automat zip-up will do just as well to keep you warm. without Electronics embedded inside. The easy zip-up design will make it easy to remove while going through security checks, and its thick fabric effectively seals in heat, so you’ll feel like you’re wrapped up in your favorite blanket during your next travel day.

Don’t wear: Clothes with metallic jewelry

Wear this instead: An outfit built around the basics

There’s nothing wrong with showing off your personal style at the airport, but if these outfits include sequins or metallic embellishments, it’s worth noting that they’re more likely to be subjected to metal detectors and body scanners than simpler options. With that in mind, wearing the basics is a much more reliable way to travel through the airport—and if you still want to accessorize, just make sure to keep your jewelry in an easily accessible place, so you can put it on as you go through TSA.

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