Fashion harmful to health? Not these 2012 trends
"Beauty is pain" is a motto for many when it comes to a lot of fashion trends. Whether it's corsets from the 1800s or "skinny jeans" of today, many people sacrifice fashion over comfort, and that can cause a troubling mix of health dangers. But according to Dr. Orly Avitzur, medical adviser at Consumer Reports, there's good news in store for 2012. Keep clicking as she points to some of the newest fashion trends that might actually have your body thanking you...
Sun visors on trendy hats
This year's New York Fashion Week shows rocked hats down most runways, many featuring uber-chic visored rims. These hats protect from more than just sunburns, also from dangerous UVA rays that can lead to premature skin aging and may cause skin cancers.
Oversized sunglasses
Lady Gaga is rarely seen without them. Huge sunglasses frames with wild patterns, crazy shapes, or encrusted with jewels have flooded designers' upcoming spring collections. Although the glasses are a fashion statement for most, few people are aware of the need to protect the eye, particularly the cornea, from harmful sun damage. Corneal flash burns can cause pain and vision changes and even lead to permanent scarring. Look for labels on sunglasses which indicate the level of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection.
Small clutches
Unlike heavy pocket books, these designs are both elegant and gentle to the spine and shoulders. Clutches dominate the pages of fashion magazines this season, and provide a welcome relief from shoulder spurs and back pain.
Loose clothing
Say goodbye to body-constricting skinny jeans which can lead to nerve damage and digestive problems, not to mention those nasty bladder and yeast infections. Wide trousers are back in vogue and more stylish than ever. Pajama and sweater wear is in, too. London's Spring 2012 fashion week called the PJ look one of the top ten trends for next season - it's a liberating reprieve after decades of tight, constrictive clothing.
Innovative knits are also a big hit next season with hot sweater dresses designed by fashion labels like Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney and Fendi. Alpaca blends, belted cable knits, and long cardigans have made a sleek comeback, making it fashionable for women to trade in their lycra and spandex for softer options.
Flats
High heels often lack padding, so there's not much to cushion the blow when your foot hits the floor. As a result, women risk ankle and foot fractures, ligament tears and dislocated ankle tendons that can require surgery. Wearing high heels for years can lead to plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammer toes, calluses, inflamed nerves, and ingrown toe nails. Indeed, Victoria Beckham - who is practically the poster girl for super high stilettos - made quite a stir a couple of years back when she exposed her bunions to photographers. Fortunately, shoe trends for 2012 include some awesome flats.
Curly hair
2011 was the year of the Brazilian Blow-out controversy, leaving some style-minded men and women confused about whether even the formaldehyde-free version is entirely safe. Thankfully, loose curves, tousled knots, glam curls, dewy ringlets, urban waves, tangled updos, bouncy blowouts, even the cool mess - are all in for 2012, says Harper's Bazaar.
Minimalist makeup
Less is more when it comes to your skin and lips. While no one is sure exactly how much lipstick we "eat" or how many chemicals we absorb into our skin, but we do know that it can't be good for us. If X0Jane can convince Jersey Shore's eyeliner-obsessed Sammi "Sweetheart" to get a make-under, as it recently did - and radically improve her looks, the tides might finally be changing.
Buffed nails
Give your nails a break, especially if you've gotten hooked on acrylic and gel manicures. The US Environmental Protection Agency warns that there are at least twenty chemicals in nail glue, polish, hardeners, additives, powders or removers. Medical literature confirms that several of them - ethyl cyanoacrylate, formalin, toluene, and MMA - can irritate the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, or damage our nerves, kidneys or liver.
Fortunately, after an excess of crazy neons, buffed nails are in. This time Victoria Beckham got it right. During New York fashion week, her models were treated to a full manicure back-stage...with only a single layer of nail strengthener, making nude nails stylish.