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Heels or flats? Skinny jeans or loose slacks? Good health or good looks? The last question doesn’t represent a choice between mutually exclusive concepts. Every day, however, people wear clothing, shoes and accessories that can cause pain and health problems, all in the name of fashion.
If your wardrobe includes potentially harmful items, don’t renounce them. Simply limit how frequently you wear it and alternatives in the rotation. Remember these thoughts as you plan your outfits:
- Bigger isn’t better. Large, heavy earrings might be eye-catching, but they can also catch on surrounding objects and be ripped out. It happened to Beyoncé in 2016, when her long ponytail tore out her hoop mid-song. Giant baubles can also stretch the piercing hole and earlobe over time, which could lead to needing a dermatologist to repair it surgically.
- Oversized, filled-to-the-brim shoulder bags, especially those with long straps, interfere with the natural balance and movement of the shoulders. According to the American Chiropractic Association, your bag should weigh less than 10% of your body weight. Wear the bag with the strap looped across your chest, and switch sides often.
- Shoes should support. High heels invite sprains and Achilles tendon problems. Flats with poor insoles can promote plantar fasciitis—a condition one in 10 people will experience in their lifetimes. Choose comfortable, relatively flat, supportive shoes when possible.
- Tight is terrible. Cinched-up belts and skinny jeans do more than make breathing and moving uncomfortable. Tight clothing can squeeze nerves in the legs, leading to pain and numbness. Tight jeans have also been associated with yeast infections and reduced blood flow.
- Shapewear can leave you in bad shape. Chemicals used to give the fabric its stretch can cause chaffing, itching, irritation and even infection. Take a break if you notice skin irritation and launder the product frequently. While it won’t damage your organs as a corset would, too-tight shapewear can constrict blood flow to the lower extremities, cause digestive distress and put women over 50 at risk for pelvic organ prolapse.
Unexplained pain isn’t something you should ignore. Your doctor can help you determine whether the culprit is clinical or just poor fashion choices.
