DECIDING what to wear to the airport can be just as hard as narrowing down what to pack.
You want to be comfortable on the plane, but also dressed smartly enough that you might get that free upgrade you’ve always hoped for.
GettyA GP has suggested four items to avoid wearing on long flights[/caption]
You also want to don your bulkiest items to leave enough room in your suitcase for holiday gear, while avoiding things that take too long to remove and put back on during security checks.
And you want to be suitably dressed for the weather in the area you’re departing from, as well as where you’re heading.
It’s an almost impossible task.
But a GP has made it that little bit easier by recommending four things she would advise against wearing on flights this summer.
1. Tight underwear
First up is tight underwear.
Our bodies swell when we fly, so pants with seams that dig into the skin are a big no-no.
Dr Rachel Ward said: “The main blood vessels supplying and draining our legs pass together in the groin area.
“If you have tight underwear, when in a sitting position for a prolonged period, it will add extra pressure to these vessels and worsen leg swelling and leg numbness and tingling.”
In severe cases, this can result in cramps and pain, so it’s best to opt for baggy boxers or looser knickers.
2. Non-elastic waistbands
For similar reasons, trousers, skirts, shorts or dresses with non-elastic waistbands should also be avoided, according to Dr Ward.
Wearing restrictive clothing can increase bloating, promote poor blood circulation and potentially result in blood clots.
Dr Ward, of the Woodlands Medical Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire, said: “When you are sedentary on a long flight, often eating and drinking more frequently than normal, your abdomen can become very bloated.
“A non-expandable waistband will dig into your abdomen, worsening symptoms and making you very uncomfortable.”
Thankfully, there are a few ways to avoid any soreness and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in a vein, usually the leg, the NHS says.
“Being active helps with digestion and the passage of food in the gut,” Dr Ward added.
She recommends doing some minor exercises in your seat, standing up every hour and walking to the toilet a few times during a flight.
The NHS also suggests drinking plenty of fluids – another major problem on planes.
3. Contact lenses
“The air in an aeroplane has much less moisture than our normal environment,” Dr Ward said.
“This can make your mucosal surfaces – such as eyes, throat and nose – feel very dry.
“If you wear contact lenses in this environment for prolonged periods, your eyes can feel become irritated.
“Either remove contact lenses before a fight and wear glasses, or use your regular contact lens saline solution regularly to moisten the lenses.”
Not following this advice can mean inflammation, stinging and burning behind the eyes, and even long-term damage.
According to Mayo Clinic, without adequate tears, you could be at increased risk of infections, abrasion of the corneal surface, corneal ulcers and vision loss.
Not switching to your glasses before boarding also leaves you in danger of nodding off with your lenses in.
Research shows this can cause redness and itching, and ulcers, conjunctivitis, inflamed corneas and temporary blurred vision in more serious cases.
4. Pointy shoes
Finally, Dr Ward would steer clear of pointy shoes.
They might look stylish, but they could cause you serious discomfort when travelling by air.
She said: “During a long flight, we sit in one position for prolonged periods and move our legs less than normal.
“This effects how efficiently fluid in our legs is returned back to our main circulation, so our legs and feet tend to swell.
“If you wear tight shoes with no room for some expansion, they will dig into your feet and become very uncomfortable.”
As with tight clothing, DVT is also a potential concern, so precautions such as regular movement and hydration should be taken.