Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want.
But if you’re a traveler in Southeast Asia, getting through airport security swiftly is the job you both have and want – especially in stricter countries like Singapore.
Avoid these airport fashion faux-pas that’ll spark a security delay and piss your TSA agent (and everyone else standing in line) off.
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1. Military-themed clothing
Steer clear of any camo patterned clothing or articles that look vaguely military. Many countries in Southeast Asia have National Service, and they might assume you’re serving the military, which can lead to a long series of questions and delays when getting through the security check.
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NEXT: Maxi dresses →
2. Maxi dresses
Yay, beach holiday! That said, you’ll probably want to don your maxi dress when you arrive at your destination. The loose-fitting nature of your dress might warrant an awkward pat-down by the officer to ensure that nothing is hidden beneath.
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NEXT: Cargo pants →
3. Cargo pants
Cargo pants are one of the most difficult items of clothing for TSA officers – the sheer number of pockets means the check is even more tedious, and it doesn’t help if your pants are baggy, either. If you still insist on living in them, be very, very sure all your pockets are emptied before going through the security scanner. (And if you still get patted down, we did warn you!)
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NEXT: Bulky pullovers →
4. Bulky pullovers
Can’t bear with the Arctic chill on the flight? Bring a jacket by all means, but don’t wear a turtleneck pullover so hard to take off that your fellow passengers waiting in line won’t know whether to pity you or get pissed at you. Try a simple zip-up hoodie instead.
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NEXT: Too many bobby pins →
5. Too many bobby pins
Chances are, you’re not going to make it through security without setting the buzzer off with so much metal in your hair. Also, how would you catch any sleep on the plane without messing up your elaborate hairdo?
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NEXT: Metal jewelry →
6. Metal jewelry
The same goes for metal jewelry (and for men, belts with metal buckles). You’re basically asking for a pat-down. Instead, save the bling for later by putting them in a bag in your carry-on luggage, and put them on after passing the security check.
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NEXT: Shorts →
7. Shorts
Ok, not that your friendly TSA office would have anything against this one, but do you know how many other passengers’ germs are lurking in the coarse, porous fibers of your airplane seat, even if you’re flying with a good airline? (Hint: A lot.) Covering down to your knees, at the very least, is much more hygienic.
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NEXT: Military-themed clothing →