The iconic leather pants look is back, but experts have warned that the sleek silhouette might be attracting more than just human eyes.
"People often assume that with leather, being a natural fabric, it is a breathable material, but it's not," Masarat Jilani, a doctor who works with bladder care company Jude told Newsweek.
"Leather trousers might look good, but they do not allow air to circulate freely around your body, creating a warm and moist haven for bacteria in the very place you would rather stay fresh and clean," she said.
This is particularly likely to affect women, who are already at an increased risk of fungal infections like thrush. "[Leather pants] may also contribute to an increased risk of urinary tract infections [UTIs], particularly if you are already prone to them," Jilani said.
UTIs are a common infection and usually aren't a significant threat to our health. However, in 2019 alone 237,000 deaths recorded in the U.S. were related to these infections. Increasingly, the bacteria that cause UTIs are also becoming resistant to antibiotics, making them harder to treat.
On top of that, the cat woman couture is often very snug around the pelvic area, which can put pressure on the urethra and bladder. "This can not only cause discomfort but may contribute to increase your urge to urinate before your bladder is full, which isn't optimal for bladder health," Jilani said.
A significant proportion of the leather-look pants available are not actually made of real leather, which can make these problems even worse.
"Natural leather, while not a breathable fabric, is still better than artificial leather, which nine times out of 10 is made from plastic such as PVC or polyurethane," Jilani said. "These materials trap heat and moisture against the body, exacerbating the risk of infection and irritation."
So how can you wear leather without affecting your nethers?
"If you want to incorporate leather into your wardrobe this autumn, consider options such as leather handbags, jackets or even skirts, which should still offer more airflow than leather trousers," Jilani said.
That's not to say you can never wear leather pants. "If you do wear leather pants, only wear them for short periods rather than all day," she said. "Wearing natural leather pants for a few hours at a time, especially in cooler weather, is generally fine if combined with natural underwear."
She added, "Always opt for cotton or bamboo underwear to maximize breathability. These materials wick away moisture and promote airflow."
More generally, to avoid downstairs infections, it's always worth considering the breathability of your outfit.
"If you're hoping to minimize infections such as UTIs and yeast infections, you should ensure that the bottom half of your outfit consists of natural and breathable fabrics," Jilani said. "It also helps to avoid restrictive and form-fitting clothes like skinny jeans."
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