Your choices in your wardrobe may be working against your good health.

Remember that designers aren’t in the business of making clothing safe. They’re in the business of making them attractive to the consumer.

Making these wardrobe changes can eliminate health issues that your clothes may already be causing:

• Wear lower-heeled shoes. As researchers delve further into the impact of high-heeled shoes on physical health, more and more are concluding that they damage the lower back and feet over the long run. To avoid running into any issues with pains or other conditions, follow these tips:
• If you must wear high-heeled shoes, alternate them with low heels during the week.
• If you do a lot of walking and standing each day, take a pair of flats with you just in case you start to feel weary.
• Try to incorporate exercises that strengthen the back so you’re less prone to damage from high-heeled shoes.

Balance skirts and pants. For women especially, wearing pants all the time can result in a buildup of moisture, which can encourage the growth of bacteria. To avoid putting yourself at risk of bacteria, alternate between pants and skirts or dresses during the week.

• Wear pants only a few days for the week or on days when you don’t expect to have an unusually long or arduous day at the office.
• Try wearing more skirts and dresses in the summer, and reserve pants for the cooler seasons.

Wear breathable fabrics. In line with balancing pants and skirts is wearing breathable fabrics. Again, not allowing your body to access as much air as it needs can result in excess moisture. In some cases, that can lead to infection, and in other cases, it can lead to body odor.

• Your best bet is 100 percent cotton fabrics. A cotton blend often works well for air circulation also.
• Try on the garment you’re considering and notice if it feels airy and cool or prevents air from getting to your skin.

Wear pantyhose less. Women are guiltier than men in making wardrobe choices for the sake of fashion. Such is the case for women who wear stockings. When worn frequently, pantyhose can cause poor blood circulation, which has its own set of side effects, including:

• Development of varicose veins due to continued pressure on the veins.
• Pains in the legs upon removal of your pantyhose.
• Swollen, sensitive portions.
• Numbness and cramping in the legs, also known as “pins and needles.”

It’s a lovely feeling to be able to look stunning. You feel good about yourself, and others notice how well put-together you are. But there also comes a time to consider your physical health and well-being.

Your wardrobe can make a significant impact on your health. Keep these tips in mind when you’re getting dressed in the morning. When shopping for new clothes, make wise choices that support good health. Your body will be glad you did!