The Unsettling Reason It's Best To Wear Full Coverage Clothing On A Plane

Those of us who fly frequently might know how important a plane outfit can be. Others might not pay much mind to it. Some might even have a regular outfit or two we throw on before each flight. Maybe it's a pair of sweats for the ultimate cozy vibes. Maybe it's a casual T-shirt and shorts kind of flight. Maybe we have things to do and places to be as soon as we land, so we're in fancier clothes.

Some flyers dress for comfort, while others dress to impress. Whatever your go-to fit is, it might not seem like the most important decision you'll make on your trip. However, the next time you fly, you might want to think twice about what you wear on a plane, for it may be your savior or your folly during an emergency situation.

American Airlines flight attendant Andrea Fischbach told Yahoo that the best things to wear on a flight are full coverage clothes. Not only are they comfortable and chic and will keep you warm in high altitudes, they will save you from discomfort and even injuries during an emergency evacuation that involves going down a slide.

When we travel by plane, the absolute last thing we want to think about is something going terribly wrong. But sometimes, us nervous flyers can't help it. While flight attendants and pilots are fully trained and qualified to navigate passengers through various disastrous scenarios, there are steps you can take yourself to ensure your own safety. One of the simplest, and perhaps most important steps, to prepare for an emergency evacuation is by wearing the appropriate clothes.

In a Medium post, health and technology expert Susannah Fox detailed the unsettling reason for this precaution. During a 2011 flight, right as her plane pushed off from the gate, Fox and her fellow passengers had to evacuate the aircraft via slide because an engine blew out. After safely getting to the ground, Fox noticed that passengers who were wearing clothes that exposed their skin, like shorts or skirts, were sporting some mean rug burns. When she was going down the slide, she noted that it was made of a slick material, and she picked up speed as she went down. You can imagine how painful that would be if you had to go down with your legs or arms exposed.

Along with full coverage clothing, Fischbach advised passengers to refrain from wearing heels or flip flops on flights, as they can puncture the slide and may not be suitable for the landing terrain. She said to wear lots of layers, elastic waist bands, and thick socks. It seems unlikely, but know that what you wear may end up saving your life in an emergency situation.