In today’s society, people are extremely fashion and style conscious.  Wanting to look your best may not always be the best thing for you.  Creating unique looks is the job of clothing designers and stylists and maintained please, however they may not always be practical or comfortable clothing when they are manufactured.  You see what models in high form heels and tight skirts or pants and fashion shows, to the more comfortable?  They probably do because they have perfected that “runway walk” to make things look comfortable and easy to wear.  Frequently, the items they are wearing our impractical and have the possibility of creating leg, back spine or neck problems.  “Sometimes I see a woman walking down the street with high heels and a two-ton bag, and I want to stop her and make her aware of what she is doing to her body,” says Dr. Jerome McAndrews.

Women generally wear high heels to complement an outfit, not for comfort, but some might not realize that these shoes can cause serious discomfort in the feet and can also exacerbate back pain. High heels alter the balanced position of a person’s body. When a woman wears high heels, a new dynamic equilibrium occurs.

Dr. McAndrews compared the musculoskeletal system to a mobile, hanging in dynamic equilibrium, each part balancing the other. If one part becomes ‘fixed,’ the whole system will compensate with a movement or restriction. Essentially, wearing high heels for any length of time increases the normal forward curve of the back and causes the pelvis to tip forward. This alters the normal configuration of the pelvis and spine necessary for the body to maintain a center of gravity.

“The legs are the foundation of the musculoskeletalsystem, and a person standing flat-footed or bare-footed would be completely balanced,” said Dr. McAndrews. “While standing, the ham strings are taut and both parts of the pelvis are stabilized so that the support is normal. By bringing the heel up, you encourage the shortness of the hamstring muscles.

”Women and men alike fall into the fashion trap. However, women, more than men, tend to wear clothes that are too tight. Stylish tight tube skirts and tight pants can be attractive, but are often too restrictive. Clothing that is too tight can throw a person off-balance, and can make simple everyday tasks such as bending, sitting and walking become difficult . “Tight clothes restrict a person from moving comfortably, resulting in poor posture and misalignment of the spine,” said Dr. McAndrews. Another unhealthy fashion statement is the use of heavy purses, backpacks and handbags.

Women and men tend to carry too many items in one bag, or brief-case, and are often not aware of the potential health risks associated with toting an excessive amount of “stuff.” Carrying a bag with detectable weight more than 10 percent of your body weight can cause improper balance. When hiked over one shoulder, it interferes with the natural movement of the upper and lower body. “The person carrying the bag will hike one shoulder to subconsciously guard against the weight, holding the other shoulder immobile,” said Dr. McAndrews. “This results in the unnatural counterbalance movement of one shoulder and little control over the movements of the arms and legs. Even worse, the spine curves toward the shoulder.

For those who want to have a more relaxed fashion style at work. . . You could try a comfortable classic sport shirt that is anything but ordinary for work.  A corporate tee shirt with superior wrinkle and shrink resistance, a silky soft and an incredible range of styles, sizes and colors, is a first-rate choice for any office.  There are many vendors that specializing in custom corporate apparel, promotional products, college t shirts and marketing materials available online.

”More and more people carry their credit cards, ATM cards and personal identification in the back pocket of their pants. This might be a convenient way of carrying the necessary items with you each day, but carrying your wallet in the back pocket of your pants can cause discomfort. Dr. McAndrews suggested men and women remove their wallets or other items before sit-ting for long periods of time. “Sitting on your wallet or card holder for the entire day will create a pocket in the muscle lying underneath the wallet, and whether your pants are tight or loose-fitting; this can result in discomfort or pain.”

In today’s society, it might be important to you to look fashionable, but it is more important to choose clothes, shoes and bags that are comfortable and that suit your style. By following and remembering these simple steps, it is possible to look and feel your best.

• Choose comfortable shoes. If you must wear high heels, bring a pair of flat shoes along with you to change into should you become uncomfortable. If you walk to work, wear flat shoes and change into your more fashionable shoes when you arrive to alleviate any pain or discomfort.
• If the shoe is uncomfortable while standing, chances are it will not be any more comfortable while walking. The wrong shoe can affect the body’s center of gravity.
• Choose supportive shoes. Designer spikes or non-supportive loafers may look nice but do not allow for easy, symmetrical walking.
• While sitting, whether or not you are wearing heels, it is important to take frequent stretch breaks to alleviate a trophy of the hamstring muscles.
• Avoid excessive wear of tight pants or clothing. If you prefer tighter clothes, choose styles that allow you to perform daily tasks with ease.
• Select a briefcase or purse with a wide adjustable strap. Ideally, the strap should belong enough to place over the head. This evenly distributes the bulk of the weight across the body.
• When carrying a bag, or briefcase, switch sides frequently to avoid placing the burden of the weight on one side of your body.
• Take the time to empty unnecessary items from your bag.
• Place all necessary items such as wallets and cellular phones in the front pockets of the bag. Stretching around to reach for your wallet can result in a pulled neck or back.
• If you are driving or sitting for long periods of time, remove your wallet or card holder from the back pocket of your pants.

Fashion designers and stylists do not concern themselves about how clothing deals.  They are more concerned about the way it looks.  People need to listen to their body and not the designers.  People need to maintain a healthy judgment when thinking about being in style and looking your best.  Being fashionable can be comfortable by following these simple suggestions.

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My Take: I definitely agree with Dr. McAndrews!  Women especially need to take this advice.  You do not see men running around at work wearing skintight clothes.  Women restrict their blood circulation as well by wearing tight pants or skirts.  You need that blood flow to the brain to outdo the guys.

It amazes me that women in the corporate world still feel that they need to attract their bosses to get attention.  Because, that is exactly what they are doing when they are wearing those short tight skirts and low neckline blouses to work.  They need to realize that they can look beautiful and be comfortable at the same time.

My thought is very simple, if you cannot breathe when you sit down; your pants are too tight.  They are definitely too tight if you cannot even sit down.  Then you have the women who buy shoes 1-2 sizes too small.  Not only are they high heels but they are too small for their feet.  So now, they are not only causing problems for their legs and back, their feet are sore as well.

There is no set rule that says a woman has to be beautiful to have brains.  A woman can still look beautiful without wearing skintight clothing or shoes that cause pain in their feet.  A woman can be comfortable, beautiful, and smart, all at the same time!

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