Editor’s Note: This is Part I of a two-part series. The next article will be dedicated to the Toxic Beauty Symposium and its founder, Dr. Lisa Goshon, and what inspires her about this subject.
New questions were raised with the sharing of new information about chemicals in our clothing and the makeup that women apply to their faces at a recent forum at the college.
The questions and the information were presented at a Toxic Beauty Symposium at Tulsa Community College on Aug. 23.
A wide range of speakers presented facts and engaged with the audience about questions, including “Are the clothes we wear making us sick?”
An expectable question, isn’t it? How many people have ever wondered if fashion might be connected to their health? Usually, we focus on finding the perfect pair of heels for our outfit or the most comfortable sneakers, but we do not even think that it may affect our health.
Since ancient times, people have worn clothing. Hundreds of years ago, they used it for basic needs like sun protection or warmth. After some time, it became a symbol of each era, as well as a way to express individuality, and even to demonstrate social status.
Today, this progression has become a defining characteristic of the fashion industry. We can find a wide range of different fashion and comfortable clothes in various colors, sizes, prices, and materials.
Everything seems reasonable until we check the label closely to see what the material is.
Our clothes are mostly made from two types of material: natural and synthetic fibers. Each has a different structure, production process, and varying effects on our health.
For example, natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, linen, and wool, are breathable, but they are more expensive than synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex, are non-breathable. It retains heat, which can cause overheating, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
In accordance with California Proposition 65 (State of California, 2025), labels on certain products have a warning sign informing consumers about chemical contents that could cause cancer. It may seem that, in this case, it is worth paying more to buy clothing made from natural materials. But it is not that simple.
Natural fabrics can also pose a risk. The TCC Connection had the opportunity to speak with Karin Davis, an apparel design instructor at Tulsa Tech, and one of the presenters at the symposium.
She emphasized the importance of fabric components. Despite the fact that the fabrics may be natural, we have to pay attention not just to what exact kind of material it is made of, but how it has been treated, which could include pesticides or other chemicals that are harmful.
She recommends looking for 100% organic fabrics, as the chemical processes used to grow the natural fibers can negatively impact our bodies.
When asked about fabrics to personally avoid in everyday clothing, Davis answered:
“One hundred percent sustainable cotton that does not have any pesticides on it, or even wool that does not have any pesticides, or just all-natural fabrics free of pesticides – like wool, linen, flax, cotton, or silk without pesticides – are safe. Regular cotton can actually be risky because pesticides are used on it.”
Regarding the future of fashion and balancing style, health, and sustainability, she shared:
“We need to consider what we buy and how much we buy. We never really talk about the quantity. We also need to consider how we care for the clothes we already have, including how often we wear them, how we wash them, and whether we send them to the dry cleaners.
“And of course, where we buy them – fast fashion stores or recycled sources. We are unlikely to solve the fast fashion issue completely, but paying attention to these details matters. Unlike 60–70 years ago, when people had only five to seven outfits, today it’s acceptable to wear a different outfit every day,” said Davis.
Davis’ advice is to choose organic fabrics where possible, being cautious about what we buy, how much clothing we purchase, and what we wear is essential.
Today, when shopping for clothes, we need to be careful and look at the labels of what we are buying. Even if they are made from natural materials, we still need to take care of our health, and only then can we follow our style or prioritize comfort. Take care of yourself.
Sponsors of the symposium were LGI Branding LLC, Greenwood Women’s Business Center, and the TCC Connection.
Reference:
State of California. (2025). Chemical Exposure Warnings (Preposition 65 Warnings).
