What Not to Wear in the Airport Security Line

If you set off the metal detector, you're in for additional screening—or at least a little extra attention while other travelers stream past you. Everything from metal clothing fasteners and body piercings to keys in your pocket could cause an alarm in the security line.
If you are wearing metal body piercings that cannot be removed, you may request a private screening instead of a pat-down. (Note: Most wedding rings get through the scanners without setting off alarms.)

If your pants fall down the moment your belt comes off, don't wear them to the airport. You can probably imagine why. While belts are allowed through security, most flyers must remove their belts before walking through metal detectors since the vast majority of belts have metal clasps. It’s best to choose a belt-free outfit or be prepared to remove your belt if you want to wear one.
Belts aren't permitted through airport security because their metal clasps set off the metal detector. However, even if you are wearing a belt without a metal clasp, an agent may still request that you remove it. It's standard procedure.

It's airport screening 101: Travelers must remove coats and jackets—this includes outerwear like hoodies, sweatshirts, vests, and such—before going through the metal detector at TSA security. It's perfectly fine to sport a jacket in a chilly airport. Please remember to remove your outerwear and place it in a screening bin before proceeding through the checkpoint. Passengers with TSA Precheck can keep on light jackets and sweaters.

Related:10 Warm, Lightweight Jackets and Coats for Travelers

Offensive clothing may get you kicked off a plane, but it could also draw extra attention from TSA agents (though it's more likely that airline staff, rather than an airport security agent, will ban you from flying due to inappropriate or offensive clothing). Stories of flyers being prohibited from planes due to poor wardrobe choices abound, and for most of them, the trouble occurred after they had made it through the screening process. Still, agents may pull you aside for additional screening if they perceive a threatening or questionable message on your T-shirt. Bottom line: If you wouldn't wear it to a family-friendly restaurant, don't wear it for air travel.

Loose clothes aren't prohibited. But travelers sporting baggy apparel, such as droopy pants, flowy skirts, bulky sweatshirts, or even loose garments worn for religious purposes, may be subject to a pat-down inspection if the agent thinks your clothing might be concealing prohibited items.

Not only may you forget that you had something in your pocket that could trigger the metal detector in a hidden pocket, but if you go through the scanner, the hidden compartment may cause suspicion, so you could be subject to a pat-down. Leave the hidden pocketed clothes at home or packed in your suitcase.

Heated coats, vests, and socks are gaining in popularity, and while they may be tempting to wear for your flight, they are more likely to be flagged as you go through security. If you wear heated clothing, remove the battery pack before screening and keep it in your carry-on (lithium batteries are not allowed in checked bags).