The Considerations to Make When It Comes to Your Clothing

In today's fast fashion era, where trends shift rapidly and clothing is more accessible and affordable than ever, there is an often-overlooked hidden cost. It looks very simple, you go to the store and you buy clothes. However, when it comes to your health this is far from the truth. It isn’t that simple at all.

The choices you make, when it comes down to buying clothes, all have a very big impact on your health. Whether it’s supporting your health or if it’s contributing to your sickness or leading you that way. It is in the fabrics you wear, the sustainability of your purchase and much more. In this blog we look at sustainability, health, ethics and quality of clothing. Everything you read here is based on the research that is done on the topic. You will read about the problems around fast-fashion, why you should always wash your new clothes and the impact of different fabrics and their frequency. 

The Problems with Fast Fashion

The impact on the environment of fast fashion is immense, it’s the second most polluting industry in the world. This industry causes water pollution, CO2 emissions and a lot of waste. For example the jeans we all have in our closets takes an average of 7,500 litres of water to produce.

The next problem with fast fashion is the working conditions. The employees earn low wages, they work long hours and have dangerous working conditions in factories. For example: The Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh (2013) in which 1,134 workers died.

Nowadays we buy 60% more clothing than we did 15 years ago but we don’t wear the same items as often. We like to wear more “new” clothing and are more concerned with trends. Second-hand clothing and recycling only solves a small part of the problems caused by fast fashion. 

The alternatives are slow fashion, fair trade, second hand and capsule wardrobes. Slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion, this is mainly about clothing that is timeless and high in quality. This is a good option because you don’t need as much new clothing, so you buy less and in this way you contribute to less side-effects that fast fashion causes for the environment.  

Fair trade clothing is a counter-voice to fast fashion. It is clothing that is produced under good working conditions, without child labour and for fair salaries. In many stores that sell fair trade clothing, this is notified through a specific label. 

And the third alternative is a capsule wardrobe. This means your wardrobe is very minimalistic, containing a lot of basic items which you all can mix and match. Many people see this as a boring closet, but again, this is far from the truth! You can use jewellery, bags, hair styles and lots of other fun things to look different on many occasions. Even when your closet isn’t that big. 

The brands that meet these characteristics (one or more) are: Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Armedangels. And we will look at more brands further in this blog. 

Why You Should Wash New Clothing

It is super important to wash your clothes before wearing them. Why you may ask? New clothing contains residues of dyes, pesticides and formaldehyde. 

“Toxic chemicals used in clothing production can have serious effects on your health and the environment. Skin irritation and allergic reactions are common due to synthetic dyes and chemical additives, leading to redness, itching, and dermatitis. Respiratory problems may arise from inhaling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, which can worsen asthma and allergies. Certain chemicals, such as phthalates and flame retardants, can cause hormonal disruption, affecting reproductive health and thyroid function. Long-term exposure to carcinogenic substances like azo dyes and heavy metals increases the risk of cancer. Additionally, the environment suffers from toxic chemical runoff, contaminating water, soil, and air, with long-term ecological consequences (Fibre2Fashion, 2025)”. 

Another important reason why you should wash your clothing is: the presence of bacteria and viruses. This is primarily due to the fact that garments pass through many hands before reaching you. Additionally, when purchasing clothes in stores, there is a high likelihood of contamination from people trying them on.

And then there is the fact that many new clothes are coated with fabrics to make them water-repellent. You do not want those chemicals directly on your skin, as your skin is your biggest organ. By washing your clothes you remove (most of) these chemicals and you improve the breathability of the fabric. You cannot wash off all the chemicals, so buying clothes made from polyester, etc. will always have a negative impact on your health in one way or another. 

So the main message here is: please, wash your clothes before wearing them if you care about your health.

The Frequency of Fabrics

Did you know that the clothes you wear carry their own unique energy? Every fabric has a specific frequency that can influence your body in ways you might not expect. From high-vibrational natural fibres like linen and wool to the low-frequency impact of synthetic materials, the fabric you choose can affect everything from your mood to your overall well-being. But how does this work, and why does it matter?

The synthetic fibres: Polyester, rayon, viscose, acrylic fibres, micro fibres, spandex and also, as you might not expect, we can put bamboo in this category too. Although bamboo is technically a natural fibre, the extensive use of chemicals in its processing makes it partially synthetic. 

The natural fibres: Silk, wool, cotton and linen.

Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool have higher frequencies than synthetic fabrics. A healthy human body has a frequency of around 100 MHz. 

Different fabrics have the following frequencies:

• Linen & wool: 5000 MHz (very high, considered “healing” fabrics).
• Organic cotton: 100-110 MHz (most compatible with the human body).
• Regular cotton/cotton blends: 70 MHz.
• Leather: 30 MHz.
• Polyester: 10-15 MHz (the same low frequency as a sick body).

Polyester and other synthetic fabrics are primarily derived from petrochemicals and may negatively affect mood, physical well-being, and sensory experiences. Synthetic fabrics can also contain harmful chemicals (such as PFAs), which may be absorbed through the skin when exposed to heat and sweat.

Linen and wool have historically been used as healing fabrics, and since the skin is a highly sensitive organ, different fabric frequencies can impact overall health. Therefore, it is recommended to wear natural fabrics as much as possible, especially linen, wool, and organic cotton.

So if you care about the food you eat, the exercises you do, you should also think about the frequencies you wear. 

Great brands: Pact, Mate the label, WAMA, LC Official, Organic Basics, All birds, Everlane, Mikuna, H&M Naturals, Levi’s, Puro Lino, Chic le frique and of course you can shop in second hand stores. 

The Health Impact of Textile Chemicals

Every day, we wear clothes without giving much thought to the chemicals they contain. However, the fabrics we put on our bodies can have hidden risks, from skin irritation to long-term health effects. Understanding these risks is the first step toward making safer, more conscious choices.

Common Chemicals in Textiles and Their Purposes

• Formaldehyde → Used to make clothing wrinkle-resistant and water-repellent but can cause skin irritation and allergies.
• Azo dyes (synthetic colorants) → Can release toxic and carcinogenic substances when they break down.
• PFAs ("Forever Chemicals") → Used for water- and stain-resistant clothing but have been linked to hormonal disruptions and cancer.
• Flame retardants → Added to some fabrics for fire resistance but may be harmful to nervous system development.

Chemical Exposure

• Skin irritation & allergies → Many clothes are treated with formaldehyde (for wrinkle and mold resistance), which can cause contact dermatitis and skin rashes.
• Respiratory problems → Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and dyes can release fumes that cause headaches, dizziness, and airway irritation.
• Hormonal disruption & cancer → Substances like PFAs ("forever chemicals") and heavy metals (such as lead and cadmium in dyes) have been linked to hormonal issues, fertility problems, and even an increased risk of cancer.

Microplastics & Synthetic Fibers

• Synthetic clothing such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic releases microplastics when washed, which enter the water supply and eventually the food chain.
• Inhalation of microfibers in the air (e.g., from the wear and tear of synthetic fabrics) can be harmful to lung health.

The Hidden Impact of Your Clothing Choices

Hopefully by now you have a far greater idea about the impact of your clothing choices. From the environmental devastation caused by fast fashion to the health risks associated with textile chemicals and synthetic fabrics, our clothing choices affect both our well-being and the planet. Washing new clothes before wearing them helps reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, while opting for natural fabrics like linen, wool, and organic cotton can support overall health.

By making mindful decisions - choosing sustainable brands, investing in quality over quantity, and being conscious of fabric frequencies - we can minimise harm and promote a healthier lifestyle. Small changes in our wardrobe habits can lead to significant benefits, not only for ourselves but also for future generations. So next time you shop for clothing, consider what you're really putting on your skin and make choices that align with both your health and ethical values.

Don't know where to start? Your underwear that is directly on the sensitive areas and your gym clothes that you sweat in are a good place to start.

Written by Kirsten Dekkers, certified Detox Practitioner through The Detox Practitioner's School. Connect with Kirsten HERE.