Shape Magazine Article

You Don’t Have To Sacrifice Comfort For Style. Take A Look At These Current Fashion Trends And Find Out How To Avoid Their Looming Injuries?

From Shape By Rebecca Brown

High Heels

High stilettos make us look sexy, but they can cause a lot of damage too. You can easily sprain an ankle or develop heel pain and plantar fasciitis. “We see heel pain often when changing from high heels to flats, but you can avoid this by doing stretching exercises after wearing heels,” says Dr. Oliver Zong, New York City podiatrist. He also recommends limiting heel height to 2-3 inches, and buying shoes with a rubber sole or pads in the ball of the foot.

Oversized Purses

Oversized purses are very popular because they can house an endless amount of stuff. But toting around a heavy bag can lead to postural imbalance and other back-related ailments. What you lug in your purse and how you carry it makes all the difference. Here’s a quick glance at some current fashion trends.

Large Carry-All

“A large bag slung over one shoulder is a neck problem in the making,” says Dr. Andrew Black, New York City chiropractor. To combat this you should continually switch shoulders and look for bags with adjustable straps. “An adjustable strap is great because you can carry it on either shoulder or across the body. Doing this will use different muscles and reduce the chance of aches and pains from overuse,” adds Black.

Small Tote (Worn At The Elbow)

Another common trend is to hold your purse perched at the elbow. Doing this can cause a lot of strain on your forearm. According to Dr. Black, you can exacerbate tendonitis of the elbow, which can become very severe if not addressed. Rule out holding your bag this way.

Messenger Bag

The mailman-inspired bag is a huge fall trend and, luckily, a better option. A well-designed one keeps the weight close to your body and prevents you from raising your shoulders unevenly.

Dangly Earrings

Wearing heavy earrings can damage the ear lobes and, in some cases, lead to tears and surgery. “Any dangling type of earring that pulls down on the earlobe—especially if it distorts or lengthens it—is too heavy to use,” says Dr. Richard Chaffoo, MD, FACS, FICS. If your pierced hole starts to sag, there are surgical procedures to repair it, but that should be a last resort. Don’t write off dangly earrings altogether, but limit them to an hour or two, as long as they don’t cause you pain.

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