The Great Airport Attire Debate: Should the DOT Tell You to Ditch the Sweats?

Published on December 4, 2025

In an age where air travel often feels less like a luxurious escape and more like a high-stakes endurance test, the last thing many travelers expect is a fashion critique from a government agency. Yet, that is exactly what happened. The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT), spearheaded by Secretary Sean Duffy, recently launched a civility campaign urging the flying public to “restore courtesy and class to air travel,” and one of their key questions to travelers was pointedly simple: Are you “dressing with respect?” This seemingly innocent query has ignited a fierce, nationwide debate, pitting the modern pursuit of ultimate comfort against a nostalgic longing for the “golden age” of travel decorum.

The DOT’s Plea: A Return to the ‘Golden Age’

The DOT’s campaign is driven by a genuine concern over the degradation of the travel experience. The department’s statement lamented, “There’s no question we’ve lost sight of what makes travel fun—the excitement, the relaxation, the cordial conversations.” To illustrate this point, Secretary Duffy posted a social media video contrasting footage of smartly-dressed passengers boarding vintage Pan Am flights with jarring modern clips of onboard disturbances and conflicts. His message was clear: “Let’s bring civility and manners back.”

While the attire recommendation grabbed headlines, it’s crucial to note it was part of a broader appeal for better behavior. The DOT also asked travelers to remember basic manners—saying “please and thank you” to flight attendants, helping pregnant women and the elderly with overhead bags, and ensuring children are properly supervised. In essence, the call to “dress with respect” was not solely about aesthetics; it was positioned as a visual cue for a mindset of courtesy and consideration for fellow travelers and the hard-working crew.

The Traveler Backlash: Comfort Over Ceremony

If the DOT expected a wave of agreement, they were swiftly proven wrong. The response from the flying public was immediate, passionate, and, for the most part, defiant. Travelers took to social media and online forums to ask one central, powerful question: Why is the responsibility for civility being placed on passenger attire when the airlines themselves are systematically stripping away passenger dignity and comfort?

One common sentiment echoed online was the unfairness of being asked to dress formally for an experience that is anything but. Modern air travel is defined by shrinking seats, exorbitant baggage fees, and prolonged, uncomfortable delays. As one commenter pointed out, “And how many more seats have they crammed into planes since 2019? How about treat passengers with dignity and respect, and maybe more passengers will be respectful in return.” Travelers feel that airlines have prioritized profit to the detriment of the customer experience, making the suggestion to wear a blazer instead of a hoodie feel tone-deaf and insulting.

For many, especially those enduring long-haul flights, comfort is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Airplanes are pressurized, temperature-fluctuating environments where the ability to stretch, shift, and feel unrestricted is vital to avoiding deep vein thrombosis and arriving sane. In this context, leggings, soft joggers, and breathable layers aren’t a sign of disrespect; they are an act of self-preservation. To demand a return to the stiff formality of the 1960s, critics argue, is to ignore the physical reality of a modern, sardine-can economy cabin.

The Case for Decorum: Where is the Line?

While the defense of comfort is strong, the debate isn’t entirely one-sided. A segment of the public strongly supports the DOT’s underlying message, focusing on the distinction between comfortable and offensively casual. These travelers argue that the total relaxation of airport fashion has led to a general decline in standards and respect on board.

The key contention here centers on basic decency. As one traveler noted, “please cover your feet (no flip flops) and no one wants to see your pits, either. There’s a distinct difference between ‘comfortable’ and ‘offensively casual’. A bit of decorum isn’t too much to ask.”

This viewpoint is rooted in the idea that flying, regardless of its current state, remains a shared public space. Wearing gym clothes covered in sweat, walking through the airport in flip-flops (exposing feet to what is often a less-than-sanitary environment), or boarding a plane in overly revealing attire is seen not just as a personal choice, but as an imposition on fellow passengers and a sign of disregard for the crew. For those who still view flying as a transformative event, dressing up is an intrinsic part of the journey’s excitement—a self-respecting nod to the miracle of flight itself.

This perspective is also informed by history. When air travel was vastly more expensive, it was largely the domain of the wealthy, resulting in a naturally more formal and exclusive environment. As flying has become democratized, prices have dropped, and the passenger experience has changed dramatically. The DOT’s campaign is arguably a reaction to this democratization, an attempt to inject some of the lost cultural reverence back into the stressful reality of mass air transportation. It suggests that if we act like flying is special—by dressing nicely—we might just feel like it’s special again, fostering better behavior overall.

Finding the Flight-Ready Middle Ground

The central question remains: How can we satisfy both the need for supreme comfort and the desire for mutual respect? The answer lies in the evolution of modern travel wear. We no longer have to choose between a restrictive tweed suit and stained sweatpants.

The travel apparel industry has flourished precisely by bridging this gap. Performance fabrics, tailored joggers, wrinkle-resistant merino wool, and stylish athleisure wear allow travelers to look polished and put-together while remaining flexible and cozy. Layering, too, is key: a soft t-shirt, a nice pair of dark jeans or technical trousers, and a sharp jacket or cardigan can be just as comfortable as pajamas, yet immediately elevate the wearer’s appearance, meeting both the DOT’s plea for “respect” and the passenger’s demand for comfort. The modern traveler’s uniform is about smart choices—closed-toe shoes, covering up, and opting for clean, technical fabrics over worn-out weekend gear.

Ultimately, the debate over airport fashion is a microcosm of a larger tension: the clash between the historical elegance of travel and the current logistical nightmare of mass transit. True civility cannot be legislated by a dress code. It must be a two-way street. When airlines commit to treating passengers with dignity—providing enough space, honoring their tickets, and restoring basic perks—travelers will naturally be more inclined to offer that same level of respect in return, perhaps even choosing a nice, comfortable sweater over the old hoodie. The goal should be comfort with consideration, not class instead of comfort.