The Bigger Picture: Some things we've invented are interesting "novelties" that should never come into regular use. Top of my list is the high-heeled shoe. Yet, it is ubiquitous, even sought after, certainly an essential addition to a woman's outfit on many important occasions.
But the truth is, they're disastrous for one's health.
If you think they enhance beauty, you may need to think again about beauty. In reality, these shoes are such a curious and fantastical spectacle that they draw the attention away from the whole self to the individual's lower leg and ankle.
What we see is an amazing sight: a fully grown, adult human attempting to walk on two sticks. We watch with trepidation, marvelling at the fact that they can do it at all, wondering if they will fall - like the audience of a circus, fearing that at any moment we may be witness to an accident.
But, tear yourself away from the show and let your gaze focus on the back and pelvis in profile and you will observe a forward tilt of the pelvis and over-arch of the spine resulting in strain in the back, shoulders and neck. This is drastic, causing ill-health and pain over time and the potential to interfere with the clear functioning of internal organs and the circulatory system. Is fashion really worth it?
What makes it even more meaningless is the fact that fashion is neither universal nor permanent. It is learned.
We quickly get used to, even desire, images we first thought were outrageous, bizarre, even ugly. With the proper encouragement and perspective, anything can become normal to us, even "beautiful".
So, why do we do it? Participating in fashion makes us feel attractive so that we might belong and be loved.
Somewhere deep inside, we think that if we package ourselves in these trends, we will create safety, security and the conditions where others will care for us. We will be in the heart of our community and at the centre of meaningful relationships. However, our clothes will never do this for us.
There are several functions our clothes ought to serve: first and foremost, they must look after our health.
We wear clothes to keep us warm and protect us from the elements. They serve us as fur serves other animals. It is destructive to us to forget this primary function of our clothing.
However, we are creative beings. As such, things are not all dull and functional with us. Our clothes (and accessories) also provide an outlet for individual expression. It is important that we are visible and seen. We exist, and dressing to express ourselves reflects this basic fact.
It is not helpful, to us or anyone else, if we dress to hide ourselves. We must not use clothes as a means of acting out internalised struggles about our worth or significance.
Clothes are too central in our lives. They are external, so they are unmissable.
They are the first things anyone sees about us, so they have a tremendous power to reinforce our impression of our self.
When we understand this, it is important that we use them to validate our self in the world.
Furthermore, we are each unique and ought to express ourselves uniquely.
It makes sense that our personality and values come out in what we wear. This doesn't mean we have to figure it all out on our own.
It is also reasonable that we would look to the artists around us who are talented in eye and beauty. However, it makes little sense for us to follow like sheep, neglecting our own individuality and embodying whims of their art that are actually bad for our health.
High-heels, handbags, shoulder bags, excessively tight clothes, make-up, bleaches, perms and dyes are all undeniably physically damaging to us.
Clothing that portrays us as non-existent, objectifies us or in any way supports a belief in our own mind that the body we were born with is not good enough, damages our self-esteem. With this, every aspect of our life becomes affected.
This doesn't mean we can't have fun with fashion. It turns out that we can create and express beauty without hurting ourselves.
What we need is fashion that is good for us - that empowers and nurtures us. Our health and our beauty must not be mutually exclusive.
We don't realise the difference it makes to our quality of life - immediately and for the future - to have solid, well-aligned posture.
Our frame provides for a basis upon which we can develop strength and flexibility, which means we are less likely to become injured or debilitated over time, and generally function better in our lives.
We become more empowered, giving us more emotional strength when we must face difficult aspects of our lives.
This is a giant step forward towards peace of mind.
Shalini Sinha practises life coaching and the Bowen technique in her clinic, Forward Movement.