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By Worth Collective
Flying Pregnant: What to Actually Wear to the Airport Security lines move slowly. Your bladder doesn't care. The gate is always at the far end of the te...
Security lines move slowly. Your bladder doesn't care. The gate is always at the far end of the terminal, and somehow your boarding group gets called right when you finally sit down.
Airport travel while pregnant requires clothes that work harder than your regular wardrobe. You need pieces that survive hours of sitting, handle temperature swings from freezing planes to stuffy terminals, and let you move through security without a full costume change.
Whatever touches your belly needs to stay comfortable for the entire travel day—not just the first hour. That elastic waistband that feels fine at 6 AM might be cutting into your skin by the time you land at 2 PM.
Wide, fold-over waistbands work better than thin elastic for long flights. They distribute pressure across a larger area and give you room to adjust throughout the day. Pull-on pants with no defined waistband at all? Even better. You can shift them up or down depending on how baby is sitting.
Skip anything with a structured panel that hits at one specific spot on your bump. These can feel restrictive when you're trapped in a middle seat for three hours. Look for waistbands that move with you, not against you.
Joggers and knit pants photograph terribly for vacation arrivals, but they're unbeatable for actual flying. Save the cuter outfit for your destination and prioritize comfort in transit.
Planes run cold. Terminals run hot. The jetway is somehow both. You'll want at least three temperature options without adding bulk to your carry-on.
A lightweight cardigan or duster works as your base layer over whatever top you're wearing. Choose something long enough to cover your lower back when you're stuck in those hard airport chairs. Open-front styles let you regulate temperature without pulling anything over your head—helpful when you're wedged between strangers.
Your outer layer should be easy to remove while seated and small enough to shove in your bag during the warm parts. A packable jacket or oversized scarf doubles as a blanket on the plane.
The middle layer—your actual top—should be nursing-accessible if you're traveling postpartum or planning to use the pieces again after baby arrives. A wrap-style top or button-down gives you options later.
TSA PreCheck or not, you might need to remove your shoes. By third trimester, bending over becomes a whole production. Slip-ons are non-negotiable.
Supportive slip-ons, though. Your feet are working overtime carrying extra weight through miles of terminal. Ballet flats look cute but offer zero arch support for the amount of walking you'll actually do. Look for sneaker-style slip-ons with actual cushioning, or supportive loafers that won't require gymnastics to remove.
Compression socks underneath are worth the slight style compromise, especially on flights over two hours. Swelling is real, and it gets worse at altitude. Your regular socks might feel fine at takeoff and be leaving marks by landing.
Avoid lace-ups, ankle boots with zippers, and anything that requires assistance to put back on. You want to move through security like you've done this a hundred times.
A midi dress with a loose silhouette handles airport travel surprisingly well—if you choose the right one. You eliminate the waistband issue entirely, and you're automatically more put-together than 90% of the terminal.
The catch: you need to think about compression socks (knee-length works with midi hemlines), and you'll want a dress that won't ride up when you're wrestling your carry-on into the overhead bin.
Stretchy jersey dresses in solid, darker colors hide wrinkles and travel stains better than prints. A-line shapes give you room to sit comfortably without hiking fabric up your thighs. Avoid bodycon silhouettes—they look great standing but get uncomfortable fast in an airplane seat.
Pack a light scarf or shawl that can cover your legs if the plane gets freezing. Airplane blankets are questionable at best.
Jumpsuits. Yes, they're cute. No, you don't want to fully undress every time you use the tiny airplane bathroom. Pregnancy means more bathroom trips. Don't make each one an event.
High-waisted jeans. Even your most comfortable pair will feel different after sitting in the same position for hours. The pressure changes as baby moves and as your body swells slightly at altitude.
Anything brand new. Travel day is not the time to find out a piece doesn't work for you. Wear what you've already tested for all-day comfort.
Statement jewelry. You'll be taking it off for security and putting it somewhere you might forget. Stick to minimal pieces you can leave on.
Pack a change of clothes in your personal item, not your checked bag. Flight delays happen. Luggage gets lost. Having backup basics gives you options.
Include: one extra top, a lightweight wrap or cardigan, spare undergarments, compression socks, and whatever snacks keep your energy stable. Your pregnant self will thank your planning self when hour six of travel day rolls around.
A cross-body bag keeps your hands free for maneuvering through crowds, holding railings, and carrying the inevitable coffee. Choose one with a wide, padded strap that doesn't dig into your shoulder—you'll be wearing it for hours.
Travel pregnant is temporary. The right outfit makes it feel a lot less exhausting.