Still thinking of wearing tight jeans on your next flight? I know they are so comfortable and they look cute, but you might want to think about it twice… What you wear on a plane isn’t just about looking good or feeling comfortable, it can actually have negative consequences on your health and safety. For long flights especially, tight or synthetic clothing—like skinny jeans or leggings—might not be your best bet.
Experts have raised concerns about how this type of clothing can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and even pulmonary embolism. What should also be taken into account is what would happen if there were a fire on board. If you don’t know the answer, you should definitely keep reading to see what you should wear on your next flight!
Why tight clothes aren’t the best choice for flying
With summer travel season in full swing, airports are filling up and travelers are reaching for their comfiest outfits. But what many think is ideal travel wear—like form-fitting leggings or jeans—can actually backfire in ways you probably haven’t considered.
According to health experts, wearing tight clothes for hours at a time, especially while sitting still on a plane, can interfere with your blood flow. Dr. Pabarue explains that snug-fitting garments can limit circulation in your legs, which may lead to DVT—a condition where a blood clot forms deep in the veins. If that clot travels to your lungs, it can cause a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism. In additiont, tight clothes can also cause painful nerve compression or numbness in your legs, especially if they put pressure on areas like your waist, thighs, or ankles. Not all leggings are bad, but the tighter and more compressive they are, the higher the risk—especially on longer flights.
Importance of the fabric
It’s not just your circulation that’s at risk. Christine Negroni, who specializes in aviation safety, warns about another issue: the material your clothes are made of. A lot of travel-friendly outfits—like stretchy leggings or sportswear—are made from synthetic fabrics that can melt in high heat.
Imagine there’s a fire on board, these synthetic clothes can stick to your skin and cause serious burns. Even though plane crashes are rare, many emergency landings are survivable, unless your clothing makes it harder to escape.
What should you wear instead?
Experts suggest choosing soft, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton. When it comes to pants, go for something loose and comfy rather than tight jeans or synthetic leggings—especially if you’ll be on a long flight. If this is your case or if you have any circulation concerns, you should consider wearing medical-grade compression socks or leggings.
A lot of people pick their airport outfits based on convenience, comfort, or style because they expect to spend a lot of time at the airport or on the plane, which is totally understandable. But now that you know the risks, it’s better to listen to experts and prevent dangerous situations. As Christine Negroni puts it, this isn’t about scaring anyone—it’s about being smart. Something as simple as your outfit could actually protect your health or even save your life in an emergency, it’s up to you.
So before you even think about going for those skinny jeans to go on a plane, ask yourself: is it really worth it? I don’t think so. There are many rules or recommendations about airports and planes we don’t know about that whenever we heard about something like this, we should tell our surroundings. You never go to bed without learning something new!