Dumb ? about what to wear on a plane

[DeeCee]

I really feel stupid asking this, but what do you wear on the plane. I think I once heard that it is recommended that you not wear shorts. Is this true? If yes, why? We fly to Orlando on July 3rd. It seems like most people would be in shorts.

Anyway, thanks for any responses.

[DebbieB]

I've heard that too, also don't wear pantyhose. They say that in case of a fire you would have more protection in pants and pantyhose can melt. That being said, the chance of something happening is very remote, so I don't worry about it. I wear shorts when it's warm. We flew to Atlantic City last weekend and I wore shorts because it was 90 degrees there. Most people had shorts on.

[Tiiiigergirl]

I almost hesitate to respond, but I will tell you what I've heard. It is recommended that you wear long pants in a natural fiber. This is because if something happens to the plane and it catches fire but you could still get out, then then your legs are protected. Manmade materials have a tendancy to melt. Nylons are a big no-no but the flight attendants are still required to wear them last I heard. It of course would also be beneficial to wear low hill shoes so you wouldn't trip.

Oops looks like Debbie and posted at about the same time!

[atigeg]

I have read the same thing (even tho' we fly a lot, I am a very paranoid flyer so I always study up on it). You can even buy a "smoke helmet" thing that will supposedly help you breathe and have a little more time to get off the plane in case of emergency! I haven't bought one...thought about it, but decided it would be TOO paranoid.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[Chance's Mom]

This really isn't a safety issue, but I don't like the feel of those scratchy plane seats on my bare legs. I usually go in Jan and must wear long pants (it's cold in Ohio in Jan!) to travel. I throw a pair of shorts in my carryon and change when we arrive.

I wore a short skirt on a flight to Chicago last summer and thought I was going to itch to death by the time I landed. Thank goodness it was only a 1 hour flight!

I think capris are a good option!

[CarolA]

Well, I fly all the time and I have always just ignored the safety clothing issue. However, I recommend pants because the airline pilots really like to use the airconditioner. The plane may be hot when you get on, but lots of times it is very cold in the air. I also usually wear a jacket or sweater for this reason. Even when I sit in first class, I won't give my jacket to the flight attendant. 99% of the time I am not too warm!

[DeeCeeSW]

DeeCee,
I'm a news show junkie, and every story I have seen has said that wearing jeans on planes is your best bet to be fully protected.

DeeCeeSW
Dawn
NJ

P.S. BTW, nice name!

[LucyStorm]

I wear jeans for all the reasons listed above, and one not mentioned-they serve as my long pair of pants for Disney, and they don't take up room in the suitcase. I put on a clean pair just before leaving home, and take them off as soon as I get to the hotel, also do the same thing with a light jacket. This way I am comfortable on the plane, and save room in the suitcase!

[Rock'n Robin]

Wow I've never heard any of this. We leave in a week and we don't wear or pack long pants.
Robin M.

[nluvwithdisney]

My MIL and my wife are sticklers for this when we travel. Everyone must wear pants. I found a workaround. I wear the pants that can turn into shorts. Right before boarding, I put on the legs. Right after landing, I remove the legs. This way everyone is happy.

[msr709]

Nluvwithdisney, that's a great solution! I love those cargo pants! I haven't seen them for women but I'm going to look. I always wear long pants because of the same reason as CarolA, they my one and only long pair of pants and its very cold on the plane!

[ducklite]

Long pants in cotton, linen, or wool. Cotton socks, flat shoes in a leather or canvass, although leather is better. Short sleeved shirt in cotton, wool, linen,or silk. Sweater to layer over the shirt in a cotton, wool, or silk. Cotton underwear.

If there's a fire/heat, synthetic clothes will melt to your skin. If you have to go down the chute, you have to take off high heels, and clogs, etc. will go flyng off your feet. If you get to the bottom, it's very likely you'll have to run across a debris field, possibly with broken glass, metal shards, and fire. You want something you can run in that will protect your feet--ie, no sandals.

Anne

[CarolA]

Ladies,
Personally I ignore this fire issue. However, the former flight attendant who has made a carrer of this says you should wear only natural fabrics. That means bras, undies etc... where do you find this stuff???? My theory is that if we get to that stage that probably not be an issue. Your biggest problem is going to be the people who HAVE to take their carry on out with them.

I promise I was in a hotel fire once and we had to yell at some people to leave their suitcases! It got kind of violent and we passed one woman standing on the landing crying because she would not leave her LARGE suitcase. Some man asked her if she wanted to die and she said she was not leaving her suitcase! The firemen drug her out of there without her suitcase!

[ducklite]

Do you mean where do you find natural fabrics?

You can get cotton undies anywhere from Wal-Mart to Saks. Bali has a line of cotton bras, most of the sports bras are primarily cotton as well.

As far as other clothes, Lands End, the Gap, Chadwicks' Macy's, Penney's, you name it, you can find cotton all over the place!

And I know what you mean about the carry-ons. My feeling in an emergency is "Get out of my way. If you choose not to get out of my way I will either throw you out or trample you." Anything is replaceable except your life. And if it's that valuable, maybe you should rethink taking it with you to begin with.

Anne

[drogerstn]

Shouldn't you be just as concerned about wearing "safety" clothing when riding in a car, visiting a high rise building, walking down the sidewalk, sleeping in your bed,...?:p

If its summer time in Florida, we don't wear or pack long pants; however, the clothes mentioned earlier do make sense in case of an accident. If you wear shorts, its a good idea to grab a blanket as soon as you board the aircraft; as posted by CarolA, it can get cold on the flight.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by drogerstn
Shouldn't you be just as concerned about wearing "safety" clothing when riding in a car, visiting a high rise building, walking down the sidewalk, sleeping in your bed,...?:p

Actually 90% + of my clothing is made of natural fibers. Silk cashmere, wool, cotton in the winter, silk, linen and cotton in the summer. :)

Anne

[mickey4ver]

I for one think we all get too caught up in "eventualities" of life. I know one can never be too careful, but just think, you could walk across the street, be in your car, be in your bed, at a ballgame, ANYWHERE and something strange could happen to you, and serious injuries can happen.

If you are comfortable to travel in casual attire, do it, if you like to spruce up a bit, do it. My observations at the airports are that most people don't even seem to comb their hair before they leave for a flight somewhere!:) And as my traveling companion always tells me, "these people will never see you again, why worry about what you have on". ;)

[SamSam]

I always wear a pair of light weight pants and carry a sweater or jacket, because I freeze on most plane flights. I've never considered the safety issues of natural clothing, but I feel I'm much more likely to be involved in an accident in my car than in a plane and I don't plan on dressing for that possibility every day.

[wld]

Usually we go in Dec so I have on Jeans because its cold in MI. But I have just flown in June and I wore shorts. It was cold on the way down and I was glad for the blanket, no problems on the way back. Didn't notice any itching problems.

I do think the woman in the bathing suit with just shorts on I saw might want to rethink her wardrobe. On the other hand....she'll never see me again and could probably care less what I think.

Seriously I would dress to be comfortable both in the air and at the airport. Your chances for being uncomfortable are much higher than a fire on board.

[mickey4ver]

Guess the gal in the bathing suit/shorts didn't comb her hair either!!:p

[nluvwithdisney]

I spoke with a friend who is a firefighter. He said if it is jet fuel that's burning it really won't make much of a difference in what you wear if you must pass through it. But I have heard the same news stories that you all have.