A pilot’s wife has issued a clear warning to women about what not to wear at the airport, highlighting the potential problems caused by certain clothing choices during security checks and boarding.
Known on Instagram as Travel Tips by Laurie, the seasoned traveler from Houston, Texas, shared her advice specifically targeting long or flowy dresses. In a video post, she urged women to avoid wearing such garments when passing through airport security or boarding a flight.
“Do not wear a dress through airport security for these two reasons,” Laurie stated in the caption.
“First, the pocket of air that forms under a flowy dress can create a dense area that security scanners can’t properly see through,” she explained. “Second, in my opinion, such dresses are better packed in your suitcase. You don’t want to risk the fabric brushing up against dirty airplane seats—some of which may have pizza sauce, coffee stains, or worse, the floor of a lavatory.”
Laurie recommended that women keep their dresses packed and wear them only once they arrive at their destination.
The advice resonated strongly with her audience of 260,000 Instagram followers, many of whom shared their own travel experiences in the comments.
“That’s a great tip. I did that once and TSA wasn’t happy,” one follower wrote.
“I never wear dresses when flying, but never thought of it this way!” another user commented.
One woman recounted a particularly stressful experience: “I wore a comfy maxi dress, but I kept worrying about it dragging on the airport floor or touching the restroom surfaces. I ended up stuffing it all into my bra to keep it clean.”
Another user added, “I totally agree—never wear a dress. It’s not worth the hassle.”
Others admitted the advice was eye-opening. “Wow, I didn’t know this!” one person remarked. “That’s such useful advice.”
Although the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not enforce a specific dress code, travelers wearing baggy or oversized clothing—including loose dresses—might be subjected to additional screening. According to Barton Associates, these types of garments can be flagged during the scanning process, as they might obscure the body in ways that raise suspicion.
Airport security expert Jeff Price elaborated on the behaviors and clothing choices that can draw TSA attention. He emphasized that agents look for a combination—or “cluster”—of red flags rather than just one isolated sign.
“Yawning frequently or wearing clothing that doesn’t match the climate of the destination can be signs,” Price said.
Exaggerated yawning is particularly scrutinized because it can be a physical reaction to stress. “When people are anxious, they tend to breathe more, and that leads to yawning,” Price explained.
However, he clarified that not all yawning indicates stress—fatigue, boredom, or medical conditions can also be the cause.
Another red flag is what Price calls the “thousand-yard stare,” or lack of eye contact, which can make others uncomfortable and may alert agents.
Price noted that TSA officers are trained to observe travelers and establish a baseline of normal behavior at airports. From there, they monitor for anything unusual. “We train officers to look for clusters of suspicious behaviors rather than just one thing,” he said.
Ultimately, Laurie’s airport dress warning is grounded in both hygiene concerns and security protocol. Her practical tip serves as a reminder that comfort and cleanliness are crucial for air travel—but so is awareness of how clothing can impact the screening process.
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