I have long believed fashion trends, on many microscopic levels, affect one’s psychological health. They make people compulsive. They trigger their insecurity and self-centeredness that pushes them to be ahead in the fashion game, even when it means making irrational purchases and making fashion-coerced judgments on others (in the garb of critiquing).

But that aside, I suppose your question has to do more with how fashion trends can primarily harm people’s physical health. The answer is: in many ways.

Taking “style” too out of the box and exhaustively, it can easily harm your health.

• The heavy jewelry…

Especially the earrings.

(Courtesy: Sweet Couch)

Just looking at these earrings make me nauseous. They are so heavy. They cause a lot of strain to the ears, hurting the lobules and even risking tears. They also enlarge the piercing, which is painful. Too heavy earrings can cause tears, which might require surgical treatments; and this may leave a life-long scar.

Talking about jewelry…

(Courtesy: Pinterest)

(Courtesy: Cultural India)

(Courtesy: Pinterest)

There won’t be any sane counter that these (super) heavy jewelry aren’t causing any physical harm to the wearers. From messing the hairlines to suffocating—they are bad. And these are something that needs to be done away with.

• High heels

(Courtesy: Pinterest)

(Courtesy: Costbuys)

(Courtesy: heelsme)

Again, these high heels evidently look they are harmful to the feet. They strain the heels, reduces the natural shock absorption of the feet and causes metatarsalgia, a painful inflammation. And when you’re feeling aches in your heels, if left unchecked, it can easily travel to your spines, affecting your posture.

Also read: Can High heels cause major joint problems?

• Unhealthy fabrics

(Courtesy: University of Minnesota)

This is a problem for many people who want to look stylish and posh BUT can’t afford the branded clothes and accessories. So, they usually opt for the cheaper alternatives which, unsurprisingly, are made using poor-quality materials that don’t match the industry standards.

The quality of the material is bad, and the production process is just as bad. So, they negatively affect people’s health.

• Skin-tight fitting

(Courtesy: Dealeaz)

(Courtesy: Boldsky)

Skin-tight wears have become a go-to fashion staple for women and men around the world. Both women and men are obsessing skinny jeans today. Women also wear very tight tops.

Tight wears not only cause skin irritation but can also lead to serious health issues. If left on for a prolonged period, it can cause fungal infection. This is, in fact, very prevalent during the summer. People sweat and this, in the mix with the skinny fabric, stems into many types of infection. And the infection, if left untreated, can lead to serious health issues, eventually costing you thousands in treatments.

• Caps/hats

(Courtesy: The Idle Man)

Snapbacks are a whole different rage for men this season. They are literally everywhere. They don’t directly affect one physical health, but they do harm hair. If you’re wearing something on your head for a long time, it’s going to rid your hairs away from moisture. And this will eventually hurt your beautiful set of hair.

• The styling products

(Courtesy: Style Craze)

Of course, we all know about this. The makeup products – the majority, if not all – contain harmful substances. They can easily damage skin and hair’s natural state. There have been numerous cases of skin irritation, burning, balding and other outcomes due to these products.

YET, even all these things, to fit in the latest fashion trends, people continue to use these products on hair and skin.

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In short, yes fashion trends, unknownst to many, are affecting people’s physical health in the unlikeliest of ways. So, if you’re following these silly trends, stop. Please. Choose your health and life overlooking stylish to fit in the crowd of the self-obsessed and insecure bunch.