Article: Is Your Wardrobe A Silent Killer? How To Shop Clean Fashion

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Jan 4, 2025Brand

Is Your Wardrobe A Silent Killer? How To Shop Clean Fashion

Clean beauty has revolutionized its industry, empowering women to take charge of what they put on their bodies. But why stop at beauty products? The impact of clothing on our health is often overlooked, and we’re here to change that conversation. Many garments are laced with toxins, endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens - harmful not just to our bodies but to the planet. The question is no longer just, What's in our food? or What's in our beauty products? but also, Is clothing silently killing us?

Silently killing us? Okay, I may have a flair for the dramatic, but it’s a serious question worth asking. Most of us have never been taught to question the way clothing may affect our health. Yet, clothing often goes through an extensive chemical process at nearly every stage of production. From the fabric to the finishing touches, toxins can sneak into the items we wear every day. Just like with food and beauty products there’s no way to avoid everything, and if we did try, we’d be left naked—and while that might make laundry day easier, it’s not exactly practical (or legal). But by understanding the hidden dangers, you can make smarter choices and stay out of trouble with the law.

What to Avoid and Why

Before diving into specifics, let’s get two things straight:

There’s no formal testing on how clothing impacts health, but there are enough red flags to warrant caution.
Labels don’t disclose the chemicals used in garment production. This lack of transparency leaves us in the dark, but it’s something we’re committed to changing. By providing you with full transparency about the chemicals involved in our products.

So, how can you shop more thoughtfully in the meantime? Start with one simple rule: avoid synthetic materials as much as possible. Synthetically made fabrics like polyester and nylon are created through chemical processes that often involve harmful substances such as PFAs and antimony trioxide.

PFAs, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are infamous for interfering with the endocrine system. Their effects can range from fatigue and weight fluctuations to infertility and chronic diseases. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAs are nearly indestructible and can persist in the body and environment for years.

These chemicals are most commonly found in polyester and nylon to make them water- and stain-resistant. Avoiding these fabrics entirely can be challenging—especially with wardrobe staples like tights and leggings—but even limiting your use of them can significantly reduce your exposure.

Antimony trioxide is just another one of the many chemicals to watch out for, and is often used as a flame retardant in polyester. A red flag, right? Without it, polyester is incredibly flammable and makes it unsafe to wear. The irony? The very chemicals that make polyester wearable are ones known to harm the liver, heart, and kidneys. This begs the question: Is polyester ever truly safe to wear?

Not all synthetic fabrics are created equal. Elastane, or commonly known as spandex, is often used to give a garment stretch and doesn’t pose as many health risks as polyester, nylon or acrylic. With that said, it’s still made entirely of synthetic materials and microplastics that shed when washed. When buying clothing with elastane, aim for pieces with 10% or less and is blended with natural fibers like cotton.

When thinking about fashion and health, color rarely comes to mind. However, fabric dyes—especially those used on synthetic materials—are often laden with chemicals.

Historically, dyes have posed serious health risks (hello, 19th-century arsenic poisoning). While modern dyes are less dangerous, they still require caution. There are brands that use all organic dyes but unfortunately it is a double edge sword as these only produce muted earthy colors. The vibrant colors we know and love, like the blue on our Bessette Cardigan, must be produced with chemicals. Fortunately, dye houses in the U.S. and EU, like the one we partner with, are held to stricter standards and regulations regarding what’s considered acceptable. How can you shop safer? Look for brands that use GOTS-certified dyes and fabrics, which meet rigorous standards for safety and sustainability.

How To Shop Smarter

Cleaning up your wardrobe doesn’t mean revamping it overnight but there are some ways you can be more conscious next time you’re shopping.

Prioritize Natural Fabrics: Choose linen, wool, and cotton over synthetics. Natural fibers are less processed and don’t rely on plastic-based materials.
Check the Country of Origin: Items made in the USA or EU tend to follow stricter guidelines. However, high-quality products can also come from countries like China, India, and Vietnam—just research the brand.
Trust Your Nose: If a garment smells strongly of chemicals, send it back. This isn’t foolproof (items may air out over time), but it’s a good initial indicator.
Research Brands: Even if a brand isn’t explicitly focused on clean fashion, their commitment to sustainability often signals a more thoughtful approach to production, which typically results in cleaner products.

Making the shift toward clean fashion doesn’t have to mean tossing your entire wardrobe or sacrificing style. It's about making a conscious effort to choose natural fabrics when you can, supporting transparent brands, and understanding the hidden impact of what we wear. Just as we've become more aware of what we eat and the beauty products we use, we ought to fix that attention to our clothing as well. After all, our health and the planet deserve nothing less. With each thoughtful purchase, you’re not just investing in better health; you’re championing a more sustainable, ethical future for fashion. And that’s a legacy worth wearing.

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