Can Tight Clothes Hurt You? Skinny Jeans, High Heels And Fluffy Coats Cause Back Pain

The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has a warning for fashion-forward women: your clothes may be harming your health. The organization found that 73 percent of women reported suffering from back pain, possibly as a result of their clothing choices, according to a press release published Tuesday.

Researchers found that the top five most harmful items were skinny jeans, oversized bags, coats with large fluffy hoods, high heels and backless shoes like mules.

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“Some of the most popular items of clothing can have a hidden health impact,” BCA chiropractor Tim Hutchful said in the press release. “While overloaded and heavy handbags are a common culprit, some more unexpected items like skinny jeans can also wreak havoc – they restrict free movement in areas such as the hips and knees, affecting the way we hold our bodies.”

New trends including asymmetric hemlines, oversized sleeves and heavy jewelry could also cause health problems, BCA warned.

“Whilst we are certainly not saying stop wearing your favorite clothes altogether like most things in life, moderation is best and there are easy ways you can reduce the impact on your posture and overall health,” said Hutchful. “For example, try and limit the number of times you wear skinny jeans or high heels every week so you’re giving your body a break, or try investing in a backpack for days when you have a lot to carry around.”

The BCA advised women to vary their clothing trends, forgo tight clothes for looser items and buy supportive items like properly fitting bras.

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Not all researchers were in agreement with the study’s findings, however. The United Kingdom’s Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, along with other experts, said research on the subject is by no means conclusive, the BBC reported.

“There is no scientific evidence of an association. This may seem counterintuitive, as women with back pain might report back pain when wearing or carrying certain items,” said Dr. Mary O’Keeffe, a back pain expert at the University of Limerick, according to the BBC. “However, to assume that back pain was caused by these is definitely putting the horse before the cart.”