Has this ever happened to you: you ordered a dress online, received the package, and immediately noticed a strong smell of plastic or gasoline? If so, you’re not alone. This concern is growing among more and more people. We talk more about chemicals in food, cosmetics, household products, and everyday items. So it’s only natural that attention has now shifted to clothing as well. After all, it’s what is in contact with the skin for hours. “If you want to reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals, it’s worth paying attention to what you wear too,” says Alden Wicker, author of the book To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick – And How We Can Fight Back.
Photo: Paolo Zerbini / Kintzing
Among the substances of greatest concern are PFAS. They are also known as “forever chemicals.” These are the substances used to make clothing water- and dirt-repellent. PFAS are linked to cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and fertility problems. Another substance is BPA. It can be found in synthetic fabrics, including polyester and spandex, and can affect the hormonal system. It is also worth mentioning azo dyes. This is a large group of synthetic dyes, some of which can have carcinogenic properties. EU legislation partially restricts the use of harmful chemicals in clothing production, but it does not fully solve the problem. “We’re talking about about 30,000 chemicals,” explains Oke Bergman, professor emeritus at Stockholm University. “Many of them are still unregulated.”
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This sounds alarming, but it doesn’t mean you need to panic immediately. According to Bergman, food and drinks have a greater impact on the body. In the case of clothing, chemicals usually come into contact with the skin. Therefore, skin irritation is one of the most common side effects. Another possible route of exposure is inhalation of microfibers that detach from the fabric over time. That is why new clothes should be washed before the first wear.
At the same time, more and more brands are trying to reduce the amount of chemicals in clothing production. One reason is their harmful effect on the environment. For example, the brand Everlane launched the Clean Luxury. Better For You campaign last year. “For us, clean fashion is clothing that prioritizes human well-being. We use natural materials and avoid harmful chemicals to make items safe and comfortable for the body, as well as responsible for the planet,” explains Katina Boutis, Director of Sustainability at Everlane. She adds that 91% of the brand’s products are currently manufactured in facilities certified to safer chemical use standards.
Meanwhile, stylist Tallulah Harlech launched her own brand, Sylva, in 2024. She calls it a skin-first brand, meaning a brand that primarily focuses on skin needs. The idea came after her years-long battle with guttate psoriasis. “The brand grew out of my personal experience living with a skin condition. Clothing made from natural fibers calms my skin and suits it better,” she says. “I wanted to find a material with proven benefits for the skin.”
For her first drop, Harlech chose SeaCell material from Pyratex. It is made from seaweed harvested in the fjords of Iceland. The material has antioxidant properties and helps neutralize free radicals. The fabric also has an Oeko-Tex certificate. This confirms that the textile has been tested for harmful substances. It is also worth looking for Bluesign and Global Organic Textile Standard certificates. They indicate that safer chemicals were used during the production of the item.
As skincare becomes an important focus for fashion brands, clothing with added benefits for the body was only a matter of time. For example, Coperni launched the C+ line last year. It’s a collection of functional clothing with a blend of prebiotics and probiotics designed to support skin health. “From the very beginning at Coperni, we have explored innovation through materials, silhouettes, and new ways of wearing clothes,” explain brand co-founders Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant. “C+ goes beyond the traditional concept of clothing as something that simply covers, protects, or expresses oneself. We envision clothing that can actively care for the body.” This technology has certain limitations. According to the brand, the active components retain their effectiveness for at least 40 washes. But during testing, the Regenerating Top fabric indeed felt soft and cool. No itching or discomfort.
Some brands are going even further and exploring whether clothing can purify the air. Among them is Stella McCartney. For the Spring-Summer 2026 season, the designer worked with Pure Tech on a special coating for denim. It can absorb carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the air and convert them into harmless byproducts. “It’s a very interesting application, as this technology allows for constant absorption and removal of these gases,” says Aldo Sollazzo, CEO of Noumena Group, the parent company of Pure Tech. “This is true innovation, not just a concept,” adds Stella McCartney. “The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world. So if we can change the materials we create clothes from and make clean fashion the norm, then we can truly have a positive impact.”
So, how carefully do we need to approach clothing from a health perspective? Paying attention to potentially harmful chemicals certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s also worth looking for items that can be beneficial for the body. After all, clothing that is safer for us is usually better for the planet too.
Based on material from vogue.co.uk