Dressed to Kill? The Toxic Truth About Fashion & Your Health
Photo by Mohit Parashar: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-lake-during-daytime-3222575/
We all know that fashion has the power to make us feel amazing. The right outfit can boost confidence, help us nail that dream job (shoutout to Smart Works, which provides confidence-boosting clothing to women returning to work), and even protect us from the elements. But behind the sequins, statement pieces, and dopamine dressing, fashion has a darker side - one that’s affecting our health in ways we might not even realise.
From microplastics in our food chain to toxic chemicals in fast fashion, and even the impact of overproducing natural fibres on soil nutrients - it's time to take a closer look at what we’re really wearing.
The Hidden Toxins Lurking in Your Wardrobe
Ever unwrapped a parcel and been hit with that chemical smell? You’re not imagining things. Many big brands have been called out for using hazardous chemicals in their clothing. A 2022 Greenpeace report found that Shein’s clothes contained chemicals exceeding EU safety limits - including phthalates, which disrupt hormones, and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
And the problem doesn’t stop when you wear them. Every wash sheds microplastics, with 500,000 tonnes entering our oceans annually from textiles alone. These tiny plastic particles don’t just stay in the water; they end up in our food, drinking water, and even our bloodstreams. One study found that the average person consumes a credit card’s worth of plastic every week. Not exactly the kind of fashion statement we had in mind.
The Hidden Cost of “Natural” Fibres
Cotton sounds like a sustainable choice, right? Well… not quite.
The overproduction of cotton is stripping the earth of essential nutrients, leading to soil degradation. Today, one-third of the world’s soil is already degraded, and it takes a staggering 2,700 litres of water to make just one cotton t-shirt.
Why does this matter? Because nutrient-poor soil = nutrient-poor food. Studies show that modern vegetables contain far fewer vitamins and minerals than they did 50 years ago. So, while we might be dressing “well”, our health and nutrition could be paying the price.
Fashion’s Impact on Water & Air Pollution
20% of global wastewater pollution comes from dyeing and finishing clothes. The fashion industry produces more greenhouse gases than aviation and shipping combined.
With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that fashion is linked to respiratory diseases, skin irritation, and long-term health risks from pollution exposure.
The Silver Lining: Fashion That Heals
Despite these challenges, fashion also has the power to uplift, empower, and protect.
Smart Works is proof that the right outfit can change lives, giving women confidence for job interviews and new opportunities. Brands are innovating with bio-based fabrics that don’t shed microplastics and regenerative cotton farming that restores soil health.
What Can We Do?
Fashion isn’t inherently bad, but we do need to make smarter choices. Here’s how:
👗 Buy better, buy less – Invest in quality over quantity. Consider the credentials of the brands and retailers you support.
🧼 Wash wisely – Use a microplastic-filtering laundry bag or filter.
🔬 Look for non-toxic fabrics – Opt for organic and chemical-free materials.
♻️ Embrace resale, rental & circular fashion – Secondhand shopping is one of the most sustainable choices.
At the end of the day, fashion should make us feel good, without harming our health. So, this World Health Day, let’s wear our values as proudly as we wear our favourite outfits.