I travel a lot, and I think it's hard to predict exactly what will "alarm" the body scanner. Part of it depends on who is looking at the image and part of it depends on how you happen to stand. For example, I always wear skirts -- last time I went through a week or so ago, I "alarmed" the scanner on my right ankle only. Why? Apparently, a gust of wind from the overactive airport air conditioner blew my skirt a certain way that caused the TSA agent to not like what they saw on the image. The pat down really isn't that bad -- just a part of the price we pay today to travel by air -- just dress as simply and comfortably as you can and know that it will be over soon.