Sparkles and Airport Security: A Holiday Travel Reminder

The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and often, festive attire. But the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued an important reminder that might save travelers some time and potential embarrassment at airport security checkpoints. Their recent announcement, delivered with a touch of humor, advises against wearing sparkly clothes while traveling during the holidays. “TSA PSA: The body scanners don’t love sparkles. We don’t want to dull your holiday shine but we don’t recommend wearing your sparkly holiday sweater to the airport,” the organization stated in their memo. This practical advice addresses a surprisingly common issue that many travelers discover only when they’re standing in the security line, ready to board their flight to see loved ones.

The problem lies with the advanced imaging technology used at airport security checkpoints. Items commonly featured on holiday attire—like glitter, metallic threads, sequins, and rhinestones—can trigger the body scanners, resulting in additional screening procedures. These decorative elements, which make holiday sweaters and outfits festive and fun, can appear as potential security concerns on the scanners, leading to what the TSA delicately calls “extra screening.” When one social media user humorously asked for clarification—”Sparkles or sequins? Cause those are two different things, darling”—the TSA confirmed that both can cause issues. This technical limitation of security scanners means that the festive outfit you carefully selected for your holiday travel might actually delay your journey and require you to undergo additional security measures.

What makes this advisory particularly relatable are the numerous stories from travelers who learned this lesson the hard way. The TSA’s announcement prompted an outpouring of anecdotes from people who had experienced unexpected delays due to their glittery or metallic fashion choices. One traveler shared that their shirt with “sparkly yarn pieces” led to a complete pat-down because security officers “couldn’t determine anything on the scanner.” Another person recalled learning this lesson “years ago when the pockets on my jeans had embellishments and I had micro bead extensions in.” These real-life experiences highlight that the issue extends beyond just holiday sweaters to any clothing or accessories with sparkly or metallic elements—including embellished jeans, decorative hair extensions, and even certain types of makeup or body glitter that might contain metallic components.

The stories shared by travelers range from mildly inconvenient to downright embarrassing. “I got asked to never wear my metallic pineapple pants to the airport again,” one person admitted, while another described accidentally wearing a shirt with metal studs around the neckline while rushing from a work convention to the airport, resulting in “the extra special pat down.” Perhaps the most striking account came from someone who emphatically warned, “NEVER WEAR SEQUINS,” and went on to describe being required to remove their top and undergo testing for explosive residue—twice—because of a bedazzled Star Wars shirt. They explained that the second incident occurred because “the first airport never told me why I was selected for this special treat, and I wore the same shirt home… sigh.” These experiences demonstrate that what might seem like a minor fashion choice can have uncomfortable consequences in the context of airport security.

While the TSA’s advisory is practical, many travelers responded with good humor. “No sparkles, no sequins! Trust me! You’re in for the pat down of your life with the back of that ladies hand,” one user quipped. Another playfully accused the scanners of being “scrooges, grinches even.” This lighthearted banter shows that despite the inconvenience, most travelers understand the necessity of security measures and can appreciate the TSA’s attempt to provide helpful guidance during the busy holiday travel season. The exchange also humanizes both the travelers and the security personnel, who are simply trying to do their jobs efficiently during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The TSA’s willingness to engage with travelers on social media and offer practical advice demonstrates an effort to improve the travel experience through better communication.

This holiday season travel tip serves as a reminder that sometimes the most festive choices aren’t the most practical when it comes to air travel. While no one is suggesting you need to completely abandon your holiday spirit, perhaps saving the sequined sweater for after you reach your destination might be the wisest choice. For those planning to travel during this busy season, the TSA’s advice is clear: sparkle all you want at your holiday gatherings, but opt for non-metallic, non-glittery attire when passing through airport security. This small adjustment to your travel outfit could save you time, potential embarrassment, and ensure a smoother start to your holiday celebrations. After all, the joy of the season isn’t about what you wear to the airport—it’s about the celebrations and connections waiting for you at your destination.