When you think of fashion, you probably imagine runway glitz, not fatal mishaps. Yet history is peppered with bizarre incidents where garments themselves became the ultimate threat. In this roundup we explore the top 10 times clothing turned deadly, from a flammable bathrobe that engulfed a senior citizen to a scarf that literally dragged a dancer to her death.

Top 10 Times Fashion Went Fatal

10 Flammable Bathrobe

On a frosty February morning in 2009, 81‑year‑old Evelyn Rogoff was craving a cup of green tea. While reaching across the stove, the plush chenille bathrobe she wore brushed an exposed electric burner, igniting instantly. The fabric’s high flammability caused the robe to burst into flame, quickly enveloping Evelyn. Her husband, Murray, rushed to smother the blaze, but his own clothing caught fire as well. Their daughter arrived to find both parents ablaze and doused them with water before calling emergency services.

Evelyn endured six weeks of treatment at the UC San Diego Burn Center before succumbing to third‑degree burns covering roughly thirty percent of her body. Murray later suffered a fatal heart attack months after the incident. In the wake of the tragedy, Blair Corporation recalled the bathrobe line, which has since been linked to nine deaths nationwide.

9 Heel Stumble

In 2012 a passerby in a Manhattan walk‑up discovered a young woman slumped lifeless in a stairwell on the Lower East Side. At first the scene suggested an accident involving a fall and a mishap, but a closer look revealed a deep gash across her neck and blood covering her face. Emergency crews identified the victim as Carlisle Brigham, a guest staying with a friend in the building.

The medical examiner concluded the death was accidental, attributing it to the perilous combination of towering stilettos and a slick marble staircase. Brigham reportedly lost her footing, tumbled down the steep flight, shattered her chin, and the impact opened the fatal wound on her neck. The case was ruled a tragic fall rather than foul play.

8 Assassinated By Brassiere

In 2015, 55‑year‑old Christina Bond carried her handgun in a bra‑mounted holster, a method increasingly popular among women seeking concealed carry options. The holster fastened to the front of the bra, positioning the firearm between the breasts via a clamshell strap.

While attempting to adjust the holster for a better fit, Bond inadvertently oriented the gun toward her own face. A sudden discharge pierced her eye, and she was airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital where she died the following day. Investigators believe she either dislodged the weapon from its cradle or brushed the trigger while fiddling with the strap.

7 Fiery Crinolines

Crinolines, the cage‑like underskirts that dominated women’s wardrobes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, were celebrated for shaping the voluminous skirts of the era. Yet these structures proved perilous, contributing to an estimated 3,000 deaths during their peak popularity.

The garments often became entangled in carriage wheels, dragging unsuspecting ladies through streets, and were occasionally used to conceal pregnancies, enabling covert abortions. Their most lethal trait, however, was extreme flammability; in homes where open flames were commonplace, a single spark could spell disaster.

One tragic example is 16‑year‑old Emma Musson, who was burned to death when a stray coal from a fireplace landed on her crinoline, igniting the fabric and consuming her. Such incidents were distressingly common in the mid‑ to late‑1800s, underscoring the deadly potential of fashionable attire.

6 Crushed By A Mountain Of Clothing

In 2009, a family in Alicante, Spain, suffered a horrific fate when the first floor of their house collapsed under the enormous weight of accumulated clothing. The victims—a husband, his wife, and their 12‑year‑old daughter—were crushed as the overloaded floor gave way.

The couple reportedly suffered from Diogenes syndrome, a condition characterized by extreme hoarding, which led to towering piles of garments. Their older daughter, who was sleeping upstairs, awoke to the collapse, saw her younger sister’s arm protruding from the heap, and promptly alerted emergency services. The tragedy highlighted the lethal consequences of compulsive hoarding.

5 Buried By Fans’ Clothes

The ancient Athenian lawgiver Draco, famed for establishing written statutes that earned the term ‘draconian,’ met an oddly theatrical end on the island of Aegina. While being honored at a theater, the crowd expressed gratitude by showering him with hats, cloaks, and shirts—a customary gesture of admiration in that era.

The avalanche of garments piled upon Draco’s head, ultimately suffocating him to death. This bizarre demise has earned a place in the annals of unusual fatalities, illustrating how even reverence can turn fatal when fashion becomes too abundant.

4 Wedding Dress Drowning

In August 2012, bride‑to‑be Maria Pantzapolous attempted to join the viral ‘trash the dress’ craze, posing for photos while swimming in her elaborate wedding gown at Rawdon Falls in Quebec. She hoped the water‑soaked dress would create a striking, high‑fashion image.

Unaware of the powerful current, the multilayered dress quickly absorbed water, becoming a heavy, unwieldy sack that overwhelmed her. The current dragged both Maria and her photographer downstream; despite his attempts, the photographer was also pulled under. Maria ultimately ceased struggling, and her body was recovered two hours later downstream.

3 Hung By Scarf

Isadora Duncan, celebrated as the mother of modern dance and known for her avant‑garde lifestyle, met a tragic fate in 1927 when the long silk scarf she wore became entangled in the wheel of an automobile. The scarf seized the wheel, yanking her from the car and snapping her neck.

Although she was not the first victim of a scarf‑related accident, Duncan’s death remains the most infamous. The incident spawned the term ‘long‑scarf syndrome,’ also called ‘Isadora Duncan syndrome,’ describing similar fatal entanglements.

2 Combustible Nightgown

On a July evening in 1951, Mary Reeser of St. Petersburg, Florida, took two Seconal pills before settling into an armchair with a cigarette. The heavy sedative rendered her drowsy, and her acetone‑based nightgown ignited from the lit cigarette.

The fire incinerated most of her body, leaving only a foot, a fragment of her skull, and the chair’s springs. While some speculated spontaneous human combustion, investigators concluded the nightgown’s flammability and the victim’s body fat caused a rapid, almost complete cremation, with nearby newspapers remaining untouched.

1 Strangled By Laundry

In 2011, Brian Depledge, a father of two, suffered a bizarre fatal accident at home. He tripped over a footstool, fell backward, and his head and neck became caught between the rungs of a clothes‑horse, which then collapsed onto him.

Efforts to free himself only tightened the grip, and the wet garments perched on the upper rungs added extra weight, compressing his airway. The coroner noted that dying from a clothes‑horse was rarer than being struck by a meteorite, confirming death by asphyxiation.

The report also included an odd personal note about a woman named Amanda, described as an underachiever with several unused college degrees, teaching yoga and raising a four‑year‑old son. This aside, the incident remains a stark reminder that everyday objects can become lethal.

Welcome to the ultimate guide that answers the question: what are the 10 things every man should master when it comes to clothing? Whether you’re gearing up for a job interview, a first date, or just want to look polished on a casual Friday, these rules will keep you looking sharp and feeling confident.

10 Always Wear A Belt

If your trousers feature belt loops, a belt isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. Skipping the belt makes the outfit look either impoverished, as if you can’t afford a thin strip of leather, or it suggests you’re trying to hide a burgeoning belly by giving your pants extra room. The belt should always coordinate with your shoes: black belt with black shoes, brown belt with brown shoes. The photo above also demonstrates what happens when you ignore rule #8: the jacket and tie sport patterns that clash in shape and scale, creating visual chaos. A solid or striped tie would instantly rescue the look.

9 Don’t Wear A Belt And Braces

Wearing a belt and braces simultaneously screams insecurity. The rule is simple: if there are belt loops, wear a belt; if there are none, opt for braces. Traditional braces attach with buttons sewn onto the inside or outside of the trousers, but modern clip‑ons work fine because braces are essentially underwear. Keep your braces hidden—no one needs to see them except your partner at the end of a long day. The image illustrates just how disastrous the combo looks when both are used together.

8 Keep Patterns To A Minimum

The golden rule of pattern matching is: don’t overdo it. If your suit jacket sports stripes, pair it with a solid shirt and a solid tie—this combo never fails. When the jacket is plain, you can introduce a patterned tie with a solid shirt, or a patterned shirt with a solid tie. The gentleman in the photo showcases the perfect balance: a solid jacket, solid shirt, patterned tie, and a pocket square that deliberately does not match the tie (see item 6). Keep your color palette to three hues at most; the example uses blue, gray, and tan. More than that looks cluttered.

For the adventurous, once you’ve mastered the basics you can experiment by mixing patterns—just ensure they differ dramatically in scale (e.g., a wide striped tie with a pin‑striped suit). Avoid ties with cartoons, words, or novelty images.

7 Formal Shoes

Formal footwear must have leather soles (though some winter‑ready shoes feature a rubber Dainite sole). Genuine formal shoes are never mass‑produced in low‑cost factories. They should avoid exaggerated toe shapes; a natural rounded toe is the standard. There are two primary styles: Oxfords, where the eyelet lacing plates are sewn under the vamp for a sleek look, and Derbys (or bluchers), which have separate, visible flaps. Oxfords pair best with a matching suit, while Derbys work well with more relaxed jacket‑and‑trouser combinations.

6 Pocket Square

Pocket squares are a subtle yet powerful accessory. The rule is simple: it should not be the same fabric as your tie, nor should it match the tie’s color too closely, lest the ensemble look like a pre‑matched set. The safest bet is a crisp white linen square. If you want to add flair, choose the second‑most dominant color from your tie and make that the primary hue of your pocket square. Matching the tie (except in a formal tailcoat) can make you look like you’re attending a cheesy 1980s wedding.

5 Undershirts

Your undershirt should remain hidden, much like your underwear. Either go without an undershirt or opt for a slim‑fit vest if you prefer an unbuttoned shirt look. A common error, especially among American men, is letting a tee peek out above the top button of a dress shirt—this looks lazy and careless, almost as bad as trousers sliding down to expose underwear. The photo demonstrates how unsightly a visible undershirt can be.

4 Do Up Your Tie

Never wear a loose, movie‑style tie. A properly knotted tie should stay snug, and you must button the top shirt button—skipping it makes the outfit look ill‑fitted. The tip of the tie should reach at least halfway down the belt buckle (or where the belt would sit if you’re wearing braces). The gentleman pictured follows all these guidelines, showcasing a neat, professional appearance.

3 Socks

Traditional etiquette dictates that socks match the colour of your trousers. Alternatively, you can coordinate them with a hue from your tie or another garment. For a playful twist, bold coloured socks are acceptable—just remember they’re rarely on full display. Avoid socks with cartoons or overt graphics; stick to solids or subtle patterns. The ideal length reaches just below the knee, preventing any skin from showing when you sit or bend.

2 Designer Labels

Most designer labels are overpriced and trend‑driven, meaning they’ll look dated in a few years. Brands like Hugo Boss or Armani often push skinny lapels that quickly fall out of favour. Instead, invest in a well‑crafted, moderately priced suit with medium‑width lapels and two or three buttons—this timeless silhouette can last decades. If you must splurge, limit yourself to elite Italian houses such as Kiton, Isaia, or Brioni. These names can soar to $70,000 per suit, but the quality and longevity justify the price. The image showcases a Kiton piece, epitomising classic elegance.

1 Your Only Suit

If you own just one suit, make it a dark gray masterpiece. This colour works for weddings, interviews, funerals, theatre outings, and everything in between. As your budget grows, you can add navy and brown options, and perhaps a black suit—but reserve black strictly for funerals. Remember to button your jacket while standing, and optionally unbutton when seated. For three‑button jackets, leave the bottom button undone; they’re designed that way. The photograph features Pierce Brosnan in a Brioni charcoal suit that remains stylish even after two decades.

+ Competition

It’s been ages since we hosted a competition, and this list is the perfect excuse. To enter, simply leave a comment about menswear below. At the end of the day, the five commenters with the most up‑votes will each win a pocket square from Drake’s of London, valued up to $100 USD. Browse the full selection here. This contest is open worldwide and to all genders, so get commenting and good luck!