A N.Y. Times article on the new designer duds for budget airline Song (part of Delta) reveals some of the requirements for flight attendant uniform design. The designers, Kate and Andy Spade had to choose fire-retardant fabrics and closed-toe, closed-back shoes (they ended up with Mary Janes). The NTSB’s report on the 1995 ValuJet accident (PDF format) includes a short statement on the attire of the flight attendant who received burns. She was wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt and the Safety Board recommended that the FAA advise airlines to make their attendants aware of the passenger clothing guidelines in their “Fly Smart” brochure. According to an Aviation Today article, there are no regulations regarding the flammability flight crew uniforms although there were recommendations and a proposal process for them in 1975-1978 which were dropped in 1981.

Thus, airlines have varying degrees of compliance with the recommendation of the Association of Flight Attendants which states:

4. Uniforms
All flight attendant uniforms, and any part thereof, should be flame retardant and fire resistant, in line with the current state-of-the-art.

a. Those uniform materials known to be highly flammable shall be brought to the attention of the air carrier and it shall be requested that they be discontinued and replaced. A listing of such flammable materials is available and can be obtained by the air carrier or flight attendant from any Regional FAA office or the AFA Air Safety, Health and Security Department. (BOD 2002)

b. Flight attendant uniforms should be distinctly different from the traveling public, convey authority and avoid features that create personal security threats. (BOD 2002)

Bonus link: A CBS Early Show story on the history of Delta’s uniforms. Link from the past: One man’s “stewardess uniform collection“.