Dressing appropriately and comfortably can make or break any experience or activity. You wouldn’t dream of wearing a bikini to a board meeting or a parka to the pool, right? Many fashion faux pas are easy to identify, like donning swimwear at a swanky soiree, but other outfit mistakes can be trickier to spot and avoid. In fact, wearing inappropriate attire for certain activities can be downright dangerous, especially when it comes to driving.
If you previously thought proper driving clothing wasn’t necessarily important, take a look through our helpful list below and learn why appropriate attire for driving really does matter.
Say No to Sandals!
When the summer heat sizzles, it’s all too tempting to grab your favorite pair of rubber flip-flops and hit the road. In fact, backless summer sandals are the most popular form of footwear for men and women when the mercury rises. The easy, breezy style is comfortable,affordable and available in a rainbow of colors and patterns to match everyone’s favorite warm weather clothes. With all the fun ways to wear flip-flops, it’s no wonder why they’ve become a permanent part of everyone’s wardrobe.
Sandals
But when it’s time to get behind the wheel, you might be surprised to learn that it is dangerous to wear fit flops while driving.According to a frightening finding from Manchester, UK’s SwintonInsurance Company, one in five drivers has admitted to losing control of an automobile as a direct result of wearing flip flops.
If it’s just too humid to bear the thought of stuffing your tootsies into socks and sneakers, consider an equally airy shoe with a back – or at least a strap – for a bit more support. Men should invest in a summer slide that’s just as easy to throw on as a flip-flop, and women might love a great ballet flat as a cool summer alternative.
Store Stilettos in the Back Seat
Those platform stilettos might look killer with your favorite cocktail dress, but if you’re thinking about hitting the open road wearing them, thing again. Another UK survey shows that 10% of women may have had an accident or a “near miss” incident because of heel problems while driving.
In addition to becoming a potential safety risk, wearing a high heel– no matter how gorgeous it might be – is also uncomfortable. A woman can do serious damage to the bones in her foot trying to maneuver a gas pedal in a stiletto!
Save the Oversized Shades for the Beach
Some of our favorite Hollywood celebrities are famous for their oversized sunglasses. And while giant shades might look chic and keep the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays from damaging our precious peepers, they certainly aren’t appropriate for driving.
Oversized sunglasses
Super thick frames and behemoth lenses actually do more harm than good when you’re trying to navigate the road, so stick to a smaller, more unobtrusive style when you’re behind the wheel, and feel free to wear your oversized pair safely on the beach!
Too-Tight Skirts and Slacks Restrict Movement
Fitting into those skinny jeans might be one of your fitness goals, but don’t allow your fashion sense to cloud your better judgment. For men and women alike, squeezing into a tight skirt or pair of pants isn’t only uncomfortable – it’s also dangerous if you’re planning to drive while wearing your latest style statement.
Pencil skirts and slim pants might look great for the office, but they can also restrict movement behind the wheel, which is never safe. In addition to presenting a major driving risk, ABC news recently reported that too-tight of pants, aka skinny jeans, can cause unwanted health problems, too! In fact, when a garment is too constricting, it can cause nerve damage and even compression. Stick to the relaxed fit on your drive, and save those tighter looks for when you’re taking a taxi.
Hooded Sweatshirts and Scarves Hinder Range of Motion
When the temperature starts to drop, hooded sweatshirts and warm scarves can be one of the best ways to fend off the fall and winter chill. Hoodies have become a veritable uniform among college students, and scarves are a style must-have for women and men of all ages. But as stylish and chic as they may look, these are two accessories you might want to leave at home if you’re driving.
Inappropriate Attire for Driving
Adding extra bulk around your face and neck is a hazardous mistake, especially if you’ll be parallel parking. A safe driver needs a full range of motion, and a full line of sight at all times, and any article of clothing that might prohibit that is a definite impediment in the car.
Why Does Appropriate Attire Matter?
Separating appropriate, comfortable and safe gear from flashy, fashionable and potentially dangerous looks isn’t always easy. And since the average driver doesn’t know which clothing, accessories and footwear are necessarily the safest, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the best driving attire well before you hit the road.
