European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 13, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Combining Comfort with fashion by Jane e. Brody new York times of in euzed people have Long tolerated the a a a a dictates of fashion and dress codes that re have red children into movement a inhibiting uniforms and women into gut 1 gouging corsets circulation stopping Hose and belts and ankle breaking heels and. Platform soles men too have had a table of garment prison in the form of asphyxiating collars and ties tight belts and Long pants and jackets that have Little regard for heat and humidity. As if Ordinary rules of civilized dress were not distressing enough the notion of Quot dressing for Success Quot was added some years ago pushing professional women into the tailored suits that have so Long been the limiting attire of businessmen. Rarely do Comfort and health get much More than a nod in this fashion picture. Yet the failure to consider them can impair performance diminish alertness Foster irritability and even Compromise health v headaches varicose veins corns and calluses gastrointestinal distress heat prostration and even vaginitis can result from attempts to Quot dress properly Quot or follow fashion trends. Most people make their biggest clothing mistakes in summer said or Leonard a Morgan a specialist in family Medicine at the University of Oklahoma health sciences Center in Oklahoma City too often summer attire is too dark too tight or too skimpy and feet Are either poorly protected by Flimsy sandals or forced into shoes that done to Quot breathe and have no room for expansion. Tight clothing is a no no any time of year Morgan said since it can interfere with circulation. A in summer a circulatory slowdown can reduce the body s ability to Cool itself and May increase the risk of heat disorders. Tight collars and ties can impair blood flow to the brain and interfere with Clear thinking alertness and judgment. Just As women now change from sneakers to dress shoes when they get to work men could leave Home on hot summer Days with their collars open and Don their ties in the office. Tight pants can precipitate vaginitis or cause chafing by holding heat and moisture. In summer clothing should be Loose and flowing to allow free circulation of air near the skin where it can transport heat and moisture away from the body. If you must Wear a Belt choose one made of fabric rather than leather or plastic and fasten it on the Loose Side. Tight belts Are not Only hot they can set off muscle tension headaches. They can also cause stomach aches after meals. By impeding the passage of Gas through the intestinal tract. Whenever possible Wear natural fabrics a Cotton or silk a that breathe. Synthetics like Nylon and polyester tend to hold a brimmed hat can protect the face and ears the meat common Sites of skin cancer against the Sun. Heat and moisture near your body and can make you feel even hotter. As for types of fabric mesh has More air holes and is generally cooler than regular Flat knits or weaves. Light colors which reflect heat Are cooler than dark ones which absorb the Sun s hot rays. You can actually feel your clothing covered skin Burn when you Wear very dark colors in the summer Sun. When it comes to stockings women Are often caught in a catch-22. Whereas pantyhose Are hot and increase sweating in the Pelvic area knee High Hose and socks with tight bands can Foster varicose veins by interfering with the flow of blood from the legs to the heart. If you have not yet joined the return to stockings and Garter belts choose pantyhose with a Cotton Crotch or knee highs with a Broad no constricting band. And while Cotton underpants May Lack sex Appeal they Are More comfortable and hygienic in hot weather than their Nylon counterparts if you must be out in the Sun Wear a Light. Coloured brimmed hat Straw Cotton or Nylon mesh Are Best to help prevent heat stroke and to keep the Sun off your face and ears the most common Sites of skin cancer. If like Many people you must move from the sweltering outdoors to the air conditioned indoors or vice versa dress in layers that Are easily added or subtracted. If it is hot in your House when you Are getting dressed you May forget How Chilly it can be in the office restaurant or store. I know of no proof that illness can result from having to adapt repeatedly during inc Day to hot and cold environments. But countless people complain that if gives them frequent summer colds and even those who remain healthy say being miserably chilled limits their productivity. So take an extra layer with you or leave a wrap or Blanket at work for Protection against Overly zealous air conditioning. Keep in mind the need to cover your skin with sunscreen or clothing when out in summer Sun especially from 10 . To 3 . Those who swim in a to shirt can get burned through the wet fabric. But now available Are specially made swim shirts that let water Low freely but largely Block exposure to ultraviolet radiation As for feel men would be Wise to invest in mesh or cloth summer dress shoes and to Sprinkle their feet daily with an Antifungal foot powder. Men arid women who Wear enclosed exercise shoes should consider using foot powder daily to help keep their feet dry. Women s More open dress and casual shoes Are Likely to keep their feet Well aerated but when worn without stockings or socks even sandals May rub and cause blisters and calluses shoes should be Large enough to allow for swelling of the feet which is hard to avoid when it is hot cushioned soles increase Comfort and help to protect feet that tread hard hot paths for All sports activities including cycling be sure to Wear shoes that fully protect your feet to avoid burning the soles of your feet Wear Beach shoes when walking on hot Sand avoid walking Barefoot even at Home. It is simply too easy to stub and break a toe or step on something hard or penetrating that could hobble you for weeks. Monday August 13, 1990 the stars and stripes a Page 13