The Battle of Fabrics - II

🌟 Dear Wildlings,

Call it obsession or mania, but my greatest desire is to steer people away from toxins. To inform them about the everyday things we use in the modern world that cause long-term diseases and conditions.

🔍 Continuing Our Discussion: The Dangers of Synthetic Fabrics

Yesterday, we touched on my dislike of polyester (synthetic fabric) sportswear which contains high amounts of lead, chromium, PFAs, and BPAs. These, not only affect the person wearing them but also the workers at the manufacturing units. Companies like Shein that promote such fast fashion, or those that have their manufacturing units in third world countries, including China (which does not have ethical labor laws and employs children), have been under scrutiny from international human rights organizations for this reason.

⚠️ Health Risks from Synthetic Fabrics

These substances, absorbed through the skin, directly enter the bloodstream, especially when you’re sweating and skin pores are open. People who don’t wear underwear with their workout clothes are at high risk of reproductive health issues. Genital skin is thinner and more permeable than other parts of our body.

Ladies, give up on those synthetic fabric underwear and bras to safeguard your bodies! Choose 100% natural breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, bamboo, and hemp. Infertility is not worth these fashionable trends. These cheap fabrics are breeding grounds for fungi, that hardly get washed off because these fabrics cannot be washed in warm water, unlike cotton.

This doesn’t just apply to women but to men as well.

Polyester underwear is known to lower sperm count, cause atrophy in testicles, and reduce sexual desire in men.

🔍 Why This Matters

The clothing industry has a huge grip on our health and yet is the least talked about. Many of the chemicals used to make synthetic or GMO cotton are never revealed to the general public! They are trade secrets, and companies are not legally bound to disclose the side effects of wearing them!

Doesn’t that make you mad? (And you thought the consumer is king!)

💡 Practical Tips for a Healthier Wardrobe

I understand it’s not in everyone’s budget to replace synthetic clothing instantly. Here are my tips:

1. Throw out ALL synthetic underwear and bras. Better to buy a natural fabric pair of each.

2. Discard synthetic workout gear and tight plastic clothing that sticks to your body.

3. Avoid purchasing good-looking plastic fabric further.

4. Check the tag when buying new clothes. If the tag doesn’t disclose all information or uses any poly-prefix names, it's best not to buy.

5. Keep the plastic overalls and loose skirts for now, but be sure to wear cotton vests and cotton underwear so they are not in direct contact with your privates.

6. Visit thrift stores and export surplus stores. India (where I live) exports cotton clothing to European nations and is forced to follow certain standards for these items. So that cotton clothing is safer to wear than homegrown fast fashion brands.

7. Get clothes tailor-made using bulk natural fabric.

8. Choose white and naturally dyed fabrics over eccentric colors that require harsh chemicals.

9. Tailor corset-style bosoms with double-layered fabric to go bra-free with dresses!

10. Switch plastic underwear with boy-shorts to let your crotch breathe.

11. DIY with your mom’s old natural fabrics and convert them into milkmaid dresses! Dresses are airy and feminine, and let your whole body breathe.

🕊️ Coming Up Next: Embracing Slow Fashion

In the next newsletter, I will discuss Slow Fashion - how I was introduced to it, and how it has helped me maintain my health and panache ;)

💖 With Love,

Zitni Zun <3