Air hostess warns about dresses and accessories you should avoid on flights. It could be a risk in an emergency

We all want to look good while jet-setting, but according to a former flight attendant, your airport outfit could be doing more harm than good. While some dress for comfort and others for clout, your travel-day wardrobe might actually be a silent hazard — and in worst-case scenarios, even dangerous.

Enter Barbara Bacilieri, better known online as Barbie Bac, a former flight attendant turned YouTube sensation with over 2.6 million subscribers. She’s not just known for beauty tips or travel hacks. Now, she’s offering a serious warning: your outfit could impact your safety or even your ability to board a flight. In an interview with What’s The Jam, according to Bacilieri, airlines may not always make it obvious, but there’s an unspoken dress code in place. Ignoring it could lead to being denied boarding, held up at security, or left vulnerable during an in-flight emergency.

Heels and hazards

Let’s start with shoes. Love your heels? You might want to rethink them. Bacilieri warns that stilettos and thick boots can be a serious hazard during an evacuation. They can puncture the inflatable evacuation slide, a lifeline in emergencies, causing it to deflate or collapse.

Even metal accessories like chunky jewellery, big belt buckles, or anything with sharp edges can pose similar risks. They're not just a nightmare at security checkpoints, they’re a flight safety issue too.

No short skirts and leggings?

Short skirts, mini dresses, and hot pants could leave you burned, literally. Bacilieri cautions that sliding down an evacuation slide with bare skin can lead to painful scrapes, bruises, or burns. Not exactly the chic escape one might imagine. Surprisingly, leggings also make the no-fly list, not because of fashion policing, but due to safety concerns, because most leggings are made of synthetic fabrics that can melt in the event of a fire.

No to cosplay

Think dressing like a pilot or flight attendant is cute or clever? Think again. Bacilieri says wearing such uniforms can lead to confusion during emergencies, potentially interfering with the crew’s ability to maintain order.

So what should you wear?

Bacilieri’s recipe for smart travel fashion is simple: comfy sneakers, non-restrictive pants (made from natural fibres, ideally), a lightweight jacket, and layers you can remove or add as needed. Avoid anything bulky, metal-laden, or difficult to move.


And one final tip? Dress not just for comfort, but with the potential for a last-minute upgrade in mind. The idea is to present yourself well, as if you could be moved to business class at any moment. Because when it comes to air travel, fashion should never come before function, especially at 30,000 feet.