What Not to Wear Through Airport Security

There’s no denying it: getting through airport security can be one of the most stressful parts of your trip—especially if you’re faced with a long line. Although there’s no magic hack for beating the line entirely (TSA PreCheck can certainly help!), there are things you can do to make it easier to get through security once you make it to the front of the line. Surprisingly enough, this includes being tactical about the outfit you wear to the airport.

There are actually a surprising number of clothing mistakes you might be making that can prevent you from getting through TSA in a timely manner, so in a bid to do all travelers a favor, we’ve rounded up the 10 most common airport security outfit errors, and what to wear instead. From avoiding laces and chunky footwear to swapping hoodies for zip-up sweatshirts, these are the clothing hacks you’ll be happy to have in your back pocket during all of your 2026 adventures. 

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Don’t Wear: a Belt

Wear Instead: Comfy pants

When you’re preparing to go through airport security, you should always consider whether or not your outfit will set off the metal detector. To this end, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing a belt to the airport altogether—while you can always take it off before going through security, it’ll streamline the process (and be far more comfortable) to simply wear a pair of elasticized pants instead. These joggers from Automet cinch at the ankles, so you don’t have to worry about excess fabric dragging along the airport floor, plus you won’t have to fumble to get your belt back on after you pass security, since the waistband is adjustable with the help of pull cords.

Don’t Wear: a Pullover Hoodie

Wear Instead: a Zip-up sweatshirt

Bulky clothing may be incredibly comfortable to wear, but it’s also surprisingly inconvenient when it comes to getting through airport security. A colleague recently recounted a story in which wearing a bulky hoodie was an issue at TSA, and since they weren’t wearing anything underneath, they weren’t able to simply put it into the bin and walk through the metal detector. So, if you’re still deadset on your baggy clothes, we suggest opting for a zip-up hoodie with a base layer, so you can remove it before security without struggling against excess fabric. This popular option from Trendy Queen is now on sale for a whopping 46 percent off, and it’ll keep you warm in-flight without causing a problem for TSA.

Don’t Wear: Difficult-to-remove shoes

Wear Instead: Slip-on shoes

Any articles of clothing that will slow down your progress at airport security should be left at home—and that includes difficult-to-remove shoes with laces. While it is no longer mandatory to remove shoes when going through security in the US, you’ll still be better served rocking a pair of slip-on shoes to the airport, so you can slide them off and tuck them into the bin at TSA just in case. Then, you can also quickly get them back on your feet, minimizing the time you’re standing barefoot in the airport. These Kidmi clogs are 46 percent off and were one of the most stylish trends of 2025, so we suspect the fad will carry into this year, especially for travelers. Plus, they pair well with loungewear and more elevated, everyday outfits, so you’ll get plenty of wear out of them during your next vacation. 

Don’t Wear: One-piece outfits

Wear Instead: a Cozy matching set

Traveling in a one-piece outfit may sound like a great idea as it streamlines the clothing selection process, but you may want to think twice. In the event you’re flagged while going through security, a one-piece outfit can be an issue for receiving a complete pat-down—not to mention it makes it far more difficult to use the restroom without getting entirely disrobed. However, if you still want to achieve a uniform, streamlined look, a cozy matching set like this duo from Wiholl will do the trick, keeping you comfy without causing issues at security. 

Don’t Wear: an Excess of Pockets

Wear Instead: Pants with minimal pockets

The key to getting through airport security quickly and smoothly is being able to remove everything from your pockets (as well as excess layers) in a timely manner before walking through body scanners. Unfortunately, clothing with a large number of pockets (like cargo pants) can make it more difficult to do this—we recommend opting instead for pants with minimal pockets, so you won’t forget that you have items tucked away in pockets. These high-waisted yoga pants are a sleek pick that’s perfect for travel days since they’re comfortable, flattering, and lightweight, making them a must for navigating airport security with ease. Plus, they’re just $15. 

Don’t Wear: Chunky boots

Wear Instead: Sleek sneakers

It’s a common theme that chunky, oversized items aren’t the best things to wear when heading through airport security checkpoints, and that even extends to your footwear. Large boots are best left at home (especially ones with metal hardware that could set off metal detectors and scanners), so a sleek pair of slip-on sneakers is a far smarter choice that you’ll also be able to wear during active outings throughout your trip. These Kizik slip-on sneakers are an unbeatable pick, since they can be put on and taken off without ever using your hands thanks to a brilliant slip-on design built into the heels—and right now they’re on sale for 41 percent off at Amazon in a sleek neutral shade. 

Don’t Wear: Shoes without socks

Wear Instead: Compression socks

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made at the airport was not wearing socks with my slip-on shoes. Although TSA PreCheck allows me to keep my shoes firmly on my feet in the US as well as many other countries, I was recently met with the harsh reality that some countries (like the Dominican Republic) will make you take your shoes off no matter what. So, while we do suggest always wearing socks with your shoes at the airport, we also recommend taking things a step further and opting for compression socks, so you can maintain full circulation throughout your flight, as well. These Charmking Compression Socks come in packs of three, so you can be sure to pack a clean pair for your return trip, too.

Don’t Wear: Ultra-loose clothing

Wear Instead: a Fitted set

Baggy travel outfits may be comfortable, but they’re also far more likely to require a pat down at the airport since they can create the illusion that you’re hiding something on your person. But, since staying cozy is key for making it through long travel days, the Trendy Queen 2-piece Matching Lounge Set is an excellent alternative that’s more form-fitting without feeling restrictive. It’s a best-seller at Amazon with more than 4,000 sets purchased in the past month, and it’s flattering enough to wear multiple ways throughout your trip, so you can pare down your packing list. 

Don’t Wear: a Heated jacket

Wear Instead: Fleece

If you’re an often-cold traveler, you may be tempted to show up to the airport wearing a heated jacket or vest to counteract the winter chill. While you can absolutely put this layer on after making it through TSA, a heated jacket may slow you down and hold up the line since you may have to worry about battery packs and cords when you’re taking it off. However, a plush fleece jacket like this Automet Zip-up will do just as much to keep you warm without electronics embedded inside. The handy zip-up design will make it easy to remove while going through security checks, and its thick fabric effectively locks in heat, so you’ll feel as though you’re wrapped in your favorite blanket throughout the duration of your next travel day. 

Don’t Wear: Clothing with metal embellishments

Wear Instead: an Outfit built on basics

There’s no problem with wanting to show off your personal style at the airport, but if those outfits include sequins or metal embellishments, it’s worth noting they’re far more likely to set off metal detectors and body scanners than simpler options. With that in mind, wearing an outfit built from basics is a far more reliable way to travel through the airport—and if you still want to accessorize, just make sure to tuck away your jewelry in an easily accessible location, so you can put it on as soon as you’re through TSA.

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