IT’S not just crippling heels or second-skin skinny jeans that are damaging your body.
Here, The Sun’s fashion editor Clemmie Fieldsend reveals the other regulars that are bad for your health.
Designer bag dupes
FROM the £5,000 Margaux bag which is by designer brand The Row and often swinging from the arm of , to the designer Bottega Veneta’s £3,000 arm candy, big bags have never been, well, bigger.
The high street is full of designer .
But whilst they’re great for carrying your laptop, gym kit and trainers – even lunches and kids snacks – there lies the catch as big bags put huge strain on one .
Dean Blackstock, a chiropractor and member of the British Chiropractic Association, says: “Totes are easy to grab and go, but when overloaded, they put uneven strain on one shoulder.”;;
He adds a key point: “No matter the bag, only pack the essentials and ditch the rest.”;;
Too much strain can lead to pain, stiffness and difficulty with movement.
Which can also cause soft tissue damage, tears and in some cases pain, stiffness and difficulty with movement.
Lace underwear
WHILST you might think that a thong could be causing issues, the problem really lies in the fabric of your underwear – not the shape.
Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is a bacterial imbalance on the skin.
It can be caused by wearing underwear that is too tight, skint-tight clothing, sweating or from wearing synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon and acrylic, as well as colour dyes.
Often this is the fabric used when you see lace and satin-looking underwear.
Experts suggest this can also lead to and even skin tags.
Professor Franklin Joseph, consultant physician and head ofDr Frank’sClinic, says:“Synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester and satin-look lace trap heat and moisture, which can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the intimate area. That can lead to common infections like thrush or BV, especially if the fabric is tight or doesn’t allow airflow.
“Over time, constant friction or irritation from non-breathable underwear can also trigger skin changes, including the formation of skin tags. Cotton – particularly a 100% cotton gusset – is far better for keeping things balanced and irritation-free.”;;
Bra tops
BRA tops are the latest revolutionary product that are transforming women’s outfits.
Simple, a vest-top with built-in cups and band at the front to support your bust and in racer-style tops that means no more bra straps on show.
‘s version, £19.90, found fame on , much like their sell-out bags, with the hashtag #uniqlobratop amassing 2.7million in the year it launched.
However, according to bra experts at Wachol, 80 per cent of a bra’s support for your bust comes from the band that goes around your chest.
Bra tops, which are hugely popular at not just Uniqlo but also Primark, from £8, don’t have straps around the back, meaning the support is not there which is bad for your breasts.
Wachol also says as many as 96 per cent of us are wearing the wrong bra size.
Suzanne Pentland, UK Fit Specialist at Wacoal says: “Wearing a poorly fitting bra can result in our breasts sagging/dropping, caused by the lack of support that stretches our copper ligaments.
“The effects are not only visual, a lack of support can result in neck pain, back pain and headaches caused by the tension of not wearing a properly fitting bra.”;;
Gym wear
WHETHER you are pounding the pavement or working up a sweat in a gym class, you will probably be wearing activewear.
But leggings, sports bras, running tops and a lot of other kit are made from synthetic materials such as Spandex, nylon and polyester.
These plastics include materials created with harmful chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols. When we sweat against these fabrics, the chemicals can be absorbed into the skin.
This occurrence can be linked to adverse health effects such as , hormonal disruption and neurological issues, a study by the University of Birmingham found.
When shopping for activewear, look for sustainable sources and materials that have a larger percentage of organic cotton on the label.
You don’t have to spend a fortune for these, they can be found at high street brands such as Primark, and George at Asda.
Vegan shoes
ALTHOUGH shopping for vegan items sounds a credible thing to do, there are some things to be aware of.
The biggest is if you are opting for cruelty-free clothes, you probably do not want to be adding to the global consumption of non-biodegradable materials.
However, a lot of vegan footwear is made from plastic.
Secondly, faux leather and synthetic suede can allow from sweat and dirt to build up, causing smelly shoes and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
So look for plant-based leathers, which are breathable and flexible. But this can be difficult, as some high street brands are not very transparent.
You can also wear 100 per cent cotton socks to help reduce risks.
Sheer
DESPITE feeling lighter on your skin and helping you to keep cool in the summer, sheer fabrics also have their downsides.
They are usually made from textiles such as polyester and rayon, which can cause you to sweat and bacterial infections to grow.
Also, they allow UV rays to penetrate through to your skin.
But because many people believe they are covered up and shielded from the sun by their clothing, they might not think to wear sun cream.
Over time, regular UV exposure – even without the visible and painful effects of sunburn – can cause a huge increase in the risk of and other conditions.
You can still wear these stylish looks, just make sure you check the labels and try to buy 100 per cent cotton, linen or silk – and remember to slather on the sun protection.
