"Single-use clothing"—garments worn only once or twice, designed specifically for travel photos—has surged in popularity again ahead of the National Day holiday, with prices on secondhand platforms as low as single digits. According to Shenzhen Press Group reporter Lin Fei, this consumption phenomenon is popular among young people keen on travel check-ins, but experts warn of health hazards including poor-quality fabrics, chemical residues, and the lack of professional disinfection.

Key Points

  • "Single-use clothing" on secondhand platforms is priced as low as single digits, with most items tied to travel scenarios and sellers mostly claiming they were worn only once or twice.
  • Some low-priced products use recycled synthetic fibers and inferior fabrics, which may retain formaldehyde and decomposable harmful aromatic amine dyes.
  • "Single-use clothing" circulating on secondhand platforms lacks professional disinfection, and experts warn of the risk of inducing skin infections.

According to Shenzhen Press Group reporter Lin Fei, more than a month before the National Day holiday, Shenzhen resident Zhang Ran (pseudonym) and her best friend had already planned a trip to the Northwest. Both are young people who love taking photos, deliberately choosing photogenic attractions and starting early to prepare outfits. On previous trips to Lijiang and Sanya, Zhang Ran had specifically bought clothing from online stores to match photo scenes, priced under 100 yuan, but after returning home they were tucked away at the bottom of her wardrobe and never worn a second time—such clothes are commonly called "single-use clothing." She noticed that people were reselling such garments at low prices on secondhand platforms and suggested buying them to her best friend, who firmly opposed the idea precisely out of health concerns.

On social platforms, many bloggers share experiences of buying low-priced "single-use clothing" and discarding one outfit per day of wear. On multiple e-commerce platforms, dresses and clothing tagged "photo-specific" and "travel photo essential" are mostly priced under 100 yuan; searching "single-use clothing" on secondhand platforms yields even lower prices, with the lowest at single digits. Most descriptions of these items are tied to travel scenarios, sellers basically claim they were worn only once or twice, and some even attach their own travel try-on photos—such items usually have high save counts.

Experts warn that seemingly cost-effective "single-use clothing" hides pitfalls. Some low-priced products use recycled synthetic fibers and inferior fabrics that are rough and non-breathable; prolonged friction against delicate skin areas such as the waist, abdomen, underarms, and inner thighs can easily damage the skin's stratum corneum, causing stinging, peeling, and contact dermatitis. Some products from small workshops use inferior dyes and color-fixing agents, which may retain formaldehyde and decomposable harmful aromatic amine dyes, with a pungent odor when unpacked. Moreover, "single-use clothing" circulating on secondhand platforms lacks professional disinfection, posing a risk of inducing skin infections.

For already-purchased "single-use clothing" of poor quality, experts recommend wearing pure cotton underlayers to separate inferior fabrics from direct skin contact, and avoiding prolonged close-fitting wear. If allergic symptoms such as redness, itching, or papules appear after wearing, remove the clothing immediately and rinse the skin with clean water; in severe cases such as blisters or erosion, seek medical attention promptly.

For the old clothing industry, this phenomenon once again shows that professional cleaning and disinfection capabilities in the end-stage circulation of secondhand apparel have become a key shortcoming affecting consumer trust and actual wearing safety.

Source: "Single-use clothing" goes viral during holidays, hiding health hazards · Originally published on 2026-09-27