4 Fashion Trends That Are Putting You At Risk

There's an unexpected enemy that all of us face when it comes to our physical health: fashion. And no, we don't mean the nausea you feel when you see a pair of Crocs. These trends can put you at serious risk for injury. Even as our culture favors healthier lifestyles, more and more dangerous fashion trends surface and resurface. Here are just a few popular trends that are wreaking havoc on your body.

1. Skinny jeans. Skinny jeans are all over the news recently, after TIME reported on a woman that had to be hospitalized for wearing skinny jeans. While this is an extreme case, the sensation is a common one. In addition to neurological discomfort, tight pants can cause significant abdominal discomfort.
2. Big purses. Big bags have been in style for a while now, as they provide a cute way to bring almost everything you own with you everywhere you go. But these big bags can put tremendous amounts of strain on your back and shoulders, and some studies have even found the beginnings of arthritis in young women carrying these bags. Next time you pack your purse, maybe only pack one extra pair of shoes instead of two.
3. High Heels. No matter how many studies are done on the health risks of high heels, we continue to force ourselves into them. High heeled shoes cause a plethora of issues, from back problems to spine issues, to shortened Achilles tendons and increased risk of ankle injury. Those four-inch platforms may be adorable, but it’s best to wear them as little as possible.
4. Corsets. There’s been a resurgence in corsetry in the past ten years, but now it’s being repackaged and sold as “waist training” by the likes of Dita Von Teese and Kim Kardashian. The idea is to wear a corset made of either latex or steel for a certain amount of time a few times a week in order to...magically form your waistline? Change your bone structure? To be totally clear: there is no scientific evidence that waist training works, and it appears that corsets have the same risks as hundreds of years ago. At best, they can slightly improve your posture and core strength. More importantly they can be painful and restrictive to your breathing, and they put you at high risk for rib damage.

Photo Copyright © 2013 Sjoerd Lammers/Flickr

Do you wear any of these dangerous trends? What will it take for you to give up skinny jeans and heels?