This Fashionable Women's Clothing Item Poses A Dangerous Risk While Flying

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Imagine this: You're stepping up to the check-in desk at the airport, dressed to impress in your most stylish ensemble, turning the airport terminal into your own private catwalk. You sashay over to your gate, and before long, it's time to board. You're serving looks and soaking in the vibes. Because let's be honest, travel is a luxury, and you're living it. Little do you realize, the fashionable women's clothing item that you may be wearing can pose a dangerous risk while flying — we're talking about high heels. 

When it comes to travel outfits, comfort and practicality should go hand in hand. This means leaving your prized red-bottom Louboutins at home when flying and opting for something more suited for the plane ride. While we all want to look our best when on vacation, wearing high heels while traveling can be unsafe for you and those nearby.

American Airlines flight attendant, Andrea Fischbach, told Who What Wear that wearing high heels makes "it difficult to quickly evacuate the aircraft, and heels can possibly cause further damage to emergency exits or hurt others if they go flying off somehow." We'll certainly take advice from someone who works above the clouds to confirm that wearing heels on a plane isn't only impractical, but can have major safety implications. Needless to say, just as much thought should go into planning your airport outfit as into how much clothing you should pack for two weeks in Europe.

If walking in high heels on slick airport floors is giving you Bambi on ice vibes, you're not imagining it. Now picture this: You've got 45 minutes to catch a connecting flight, and lucky you, you have to go through security again. Add a freshly waxed floor, a rolling carry-on, and the need to sprint in heels, and you've got the perfect recipe for a travel disaster. Not exactly the runway you had in mind.

In the rare case of an emergency landing during your flight and an evacuation is needed, wearing heels could hinder your escape plan. Andrea Fischbach told Who Wear What, "If there is an evacuation, your high heels will have to come off, as they can puncture the slide. Who knows where and in what conditions you'll land." If high heels were to puncture the emergency slide, it could very well damage it, or worse, make it entirely unusable.

Also, sitting the whole plane ride with high heels can cause discomfort. Well, you may be thinking, "I'll just remove my heels when I'm seated on the plane," so you can survive a long-haul flight in comfort if your tootsies get sore. Now, what may seem like a clever idea is just as much of a risk as wearing them altogether. Your bare feet will likely come into direct contact with the plane's not-so-pristine floor, which is likely home to all kinds of unwelcome (and sometimes visible) germs. Yikes.

There's no need to compromise your personal style when choosing footwear that's both comfortable and practical while traveling. You'll want to skip any type of shoes that expose your toes or parts of your heel, or have any sort of wedge (espadrilles, we're looking at you), since they still pose a risk to safety, as well as hygiene.

You'll want to ensure that your feet stay comfortable throughout your journey while flying for hours and navigating busy airports. The ideal travel shoe should check these boxes: Comfort, support, and the ease of removal. Wearing socks is also a no-brainer since nobody wants to see or smell your bare feet. Sneakers, tennis shoes, slip-on shoes like Vans, or even sock sneakers (yes, those exist), will be much better options to get you through security smoothly and keep you stylish without sacrificing practicality. 

The best travel shoes offer solid support with just the right amount of flexibility. These stylish Lamincoa women's walking shoes on Amazon check all the boxes: breathable mesh knit fabric, a flexible fit, and a memory foam insole that feels like a pillow for your feet. Let your shoes match your travel goals: stylish, secure, and ready for anything.