Not handbag or shoes – security urged me to never wear designer item | Travel News | Travel

Looking polished at the airport is something of a ritual for many travellers, but following my recent blunder, you may want to give your outfit considerably more thought before heading through security. You’d probably assume, as I did, that a comfortable yet stylish tracksuit would be perfectly acceptable airport attire — but I couldn’t have been more mistaken.

My ideal travel wardrobe mirrors what I’d wear lounging at home, just slightly more refined, given I’m out in public. I want to browse the shelves in WHSmith and pick up three books, despite already having seven tucked away in my hand luggage, without worrying my skirt is riding up because of my rucksack.

That’s precisely why my Juicy Couture tracksuit had become my go-to for flights — or so I believed, until I was pulled aside by security staff and strongly advised against wearing it again.

Naturally, in pursuit of ultimate comfort, I’d paired it with my Uggs. Yes, we were heading somewhere warm, but we were landing at night and the transfer had air conditioning, so it seemed perfectly reasonable at the time.

We checked our bags in and strolled towards security, relieved to find the queue surprisingly short, despite having inadvertently booked our holiday during half term (our adults-only hotel had been unusually affordable, and we hadn’t questioned our luck).

We were then informed at security that we could keep our jackets on and leave our liquids in our bags — brilliant news, except I’d already removed my jacket and placed it in the tray. The security officer handling the trays then enquired: “Are your pants the same as this?” while gesturing towards the diamante ‘Juicy’ lettering on the back of my tracksuit top.

“Yes,” I replied, turning around so they could see for themselves. They let out an amused chuckle and remarked that I would almost certainly be flagged when passing through the scanners.

Sure enough, as I walked through the scanner, something triggered an alert — and it was my tracksuit. I was asked whether I had anything in my pockets, which I hadn’t, before being directed to have my shoes inspected.

As I walked away, the security officer advised me against wearing my Juicy tracksuit to the airport in future if I wished to avoid being pulled aside. Admittedly, this is not the first time I’ve received such counsel, but it’s simply far too comfortable and stylish to leave at home.

Truth be told, I’ve been stopped and searched to some degree at security virtually every time I travel — typically on account of jewellery — so I suspect I would have triggered the alarm regardless. I had assumed the diamantes contained no metal and were purely plastic, but one can never be entirely certain.

Regardless, I genuinely don’t mind being stopped at the airport when the staff conducting the search are courteous and good-natured. I’ve certainly encountered some thoroughly unpleasant security personnel at various airports around the globe, but thankfully, when departing from Manchester, they tend to be cheerful and professional, simply getting on with the job rather than acting like petty officials.

One X user described airport security as a “humiliation ritual,” and while this has occasionally felt relatable, it is certainly not a widespread experience.

That said, there is an undeniable sense of apprehension when queuing at security, wondering how staff will react.

This is far from an isolated experience, however. Numerous women have taken to X to recount their own encounters while wearing Juicy Couture diamante pieces at the airport.

One woman wrote: “My bedazzled Juicy Couture track pants set off the airport security scanner and I had to get a pat down and an explosives test.”

Someone else shared: “I went through airport security in my Juicy Couture pants, and the bum got flagged,” followed by a crying with laughter emoji.

Manchester Airport has been contacted for comment.