Getting through airport security can feel like navigating an obstacle course, especially when you’re running late for a flight. While TSA agents try to keep lines moving, certain clothing choices can turn a quick dash into a frustrating delay. The difference between sailing through the checkpoint and getting stuck in additional screening often comes down to what you decided to wear that morning.
Here is a list of 20 clothing choices that can significantly slow down your airport security experience.
Heavy Metal Belt Buckles
That massive rodeo belt buckle might look great with your outfit, but it’s going to set off every metal detector from here to Dallas. Security scanners are incredibly sensitive to metal objects, and oversized buckles often require additional hand-wand screening.
Your best bet is a simple belt with a small, lightweight buckle or one of those stretchy belts without any metal at all.
Lace-Up Boots
While boots can be practical for travel, the ones with endless laces will slow you down considerably. You’ll spend precious minutes untying and retying them while other passengers breeze past in their slip-on shoes.
Combat boots and hiking boots are the worst offenders, often requiring complete removal and sometimes additional inspection.
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Excessive Jewelry
Wearing your entire jewelry collection might make you feel fabulous, but it’s going to trigger the metal detectors every single time. Multiple bracelets, chunky necklaces, and stacks of rings all add up to create a metallic symphony that security scanners hate.
Even costume jewelry with metal components can cause delays.
Jackets with Metal Zippers and Buttons
That military-style jacket with decorative metal buttons and heavy-duty zippers looks sharp, but it’s a security checkpoint nightmare. The multiple metal components often require you to remove the jacket entirely, even if you planned to keep it on.
Lighter jackets with plastic zippers and minimal metal hardware move through screening much faster.
Shoes with Metal Decorations
Sneakers with metal eyelets, boots with buckles, or dress shoes with metal toe caps all have one thing in common—they’ll likely need to come off for additional screening. The more metal embedded in your footwear, the longer you’ll spend in the security line.
Simple canvas shoes or leather loafers without metal accents are your friends here.
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Multiple Layers of Clothing
Wearing a t-shirt, sweater, vest, and jacket might keep you warm, but it’s going to create confusion at security checkpoints. Body scanners can’t see through multiple thick layers clearly, often resulting in additional pat-downs or screening.
The TSA recommends minimal layering to avoid these delays.
Cargo Pants with Loaded Pockets
Those tactical pants with twelve different pockets might be practical for everyday carry, but they’re impractical for airport security. Each bulging pocket creates a potential concern for screeners, and you’ll spend ages emptying everything.
Regular pants with just a few simple pockets move through screening much more smoothly.
Steel-Toed Work Boots
Work boots with steel reinforcement are essential for job sites, but terrible for airports. The metal toe caps will trigger alarms, and these boots frequently prompt further screening or full removal.
If you must wear work boots for your destination, consider packing them and wearing regular shoes for travel.
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Studded Leather Belts
That punk rock aesthetic with metal studs all around your belt is going to cause serious delays at security checkpoints. Each metal stud shows up on scanners, and the overall effect can look concerning to security personnel.
A simple leather belt without decorative metal elements will save you time and hassle.
Large Metal Watches
While a watch is a practical travel accessory, oversized metal timepieces often need to be removed for screening. Chunky sports watches with metal bands and bulky smartwatches can trigger additional inspection.
Consider wearing a simple watch with a fabric or leather band instead.
Hair Accessories with Metal Components
Decorative hair clips, metal headbands, and bobby pins might complete your look, but they also complete your chances of setting off security alarms. Even small amounts of metal in hair accessories can cause delays.
Fabric hair ties and plastic clips are much better choices for travel days.
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Hoodies with Metal Grommets
That trendy hoodie with metal grommets around the hood strings looks cool, but functions poorly at airport security. The multiple small metal pieces often trigger additional screening requirements.
Plain hoodies or sweatshirts without metal hardware move through checkpoints without incident.
Jeans with Heavy Metal Rivets
Designer jeans with decorative metal studs, chains, or oversized rivets turn a simple clothing item into a security concern. While basic jeans usually don’t cause problems, heavily decorated denim often does.
Stick to simple jeans without excessive metal decoration for smoother screening.
High-Top Basketball Shoes
Those retro high-tops might be making a comeback in fashion, but they never left the ‘pain in the neck at airports’ category. The extra material and often complex lacing systems mean they typically need to be removed completely.
Low-top sneakers or slip-on shoes are much more airport-friendly options.
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Platform Shoes and Chunky Heels
Platform shoes and boots with thick, hollow soles often require additional inspection because their construction can hide prohibited items. The unusual density patterns show up strangely on X-ray machines, leading to manual checks.
Simple, solid-soled shoes avoid this issue entirely.
Underwire Bras
While not exactly a ‘choice’ for many women, underwire bras frequently trigger body scanner alarms and require additional screening. The metal wires show up clearly on security equipment, often leading to awkward pat-down procedures.
Sports bras or wireless alternatives can help avoid these delays.
Suspenders with Metal Hardware
Suspenders might be making a fashion comeback, but the metal clips and adjusters aren’t making security screening any faster. The multiple metal contact points often trigger alarms, and the straps themselves can create unclear images on body scanners.
A simple belt is usually a better choice for travel days.
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Heavy Winter Coats
Puffy down jackets and heavy winter coats usually need to be fully removed and screened separately, even when it’s freezing outside. The thick insulation can obscure body scanner images, and large pockets can hide prohibited items.
Lighter layers that you can easily remove and put back on work better.
Clothing with Excessive Buttons
Military surplus jackets, chef coats, or vintage dresses with dozens of metal buttons create multiple trigger points for security equipment. Each button shows up on scanners. The accumulation often leads to extra screening.
Clothing with minimal button hardware moves through screening faster.
Difficult-to-Remove Footwear
Any shoes that require significant time and effort to remove will slow down your security experience. This includes shoes with complex strapping systems, boots that zip up the entire leg, or footwear with multiple buckles.
The easier your shoes are to slip on and off, the faster you’ll move through the checkpoint.
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From Metal Detectors to Modern Efficiency
Airport security has evolved dramatically since its early days, but the basic principle remains the same—metal objects and complex clothing create delays. What started as simple metal detector arches has grown into sophisticated body imaging technology, yet the advice for travelers hasn’t changed much.
The smartest approach is still to dress simply and practically, treating your outfit as part of your travel strategy rather than just a fashion statement. Remember that five minutes saved at security can mean the difference between making your flight and watching it taxi away from the gate.
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