Odd question I suppose.
What thoughts do any of you have about fashion and your health. For example, on a good, non-pain day, I like Talbots or other traditional clothes (inexpensive with classic lines fine). But, in a flare-up, I want flowing comfortable clothes that can handle sitting in a recliner or hitting walking canes. It's like two separate wardrobes!
Any thoughts?
I have to admit, I just don't dress up. I work from home, and typically wear a cotton knit dress with leggings, or yoga pants and a cotton shirt. That said, when I'm in a lot of pain the wardrobe definitely tends more towards yoga pants. Easier to pull up and down with painful hands and shoulders, comfortable to sit and sleep in, etc.
I never really thought about it. I usually wear long skirts and t-shirts or flowy shirts. I rarely wear anything with buttons or snaps or other clasps anymore.
I've gaine 20 lbs from the steroids and struggling to find anything that will fit ! :-)
Elastic waists; polo shirts or T shirts. Rarely dress up anymore. Some days I can't stand to have clothes touch certain parts of my body so large and flowing it is. I hate to shop...and should never never go shopping on a day I feel like crap.
Ditto! Sounds like elastic waists and stretchy, comfy knits seem to be our team uniform. I hate shopping as well, unless it’s online!
Well aren't we a group of anti-fashionistas ! :-)
LOL, love the "Team Uniform and anti-fashionistas" comments. For years and years I wore scrubs to work in and loved them!! Made a comment yesterday sitting at the hosp waiting while my daughter had a procedure, that why do these young girls feel the need to order their scrubs 2 sizes too small. They wear their pants so tight I don't know how they move with out ripping them out. Mine were always a bit too big for comfort!
I HAVE to wear orthopedic looking shoes b/c of my left foot. It’s hard to dress up with them, but that’s the least of my worries now. In the past I have felt pressure to dress up more for my job. Most people know what’s going on now though. Especially since I now, just today, can say I have PsA. Just got the diagnosis yesterday. Not sure i will be able to wear sandles this summer. That may be a bumber. I’m picking up my new orthotics tomorrow. I just want to be healthy and be able to have some fun physical activity again. Oh love to shop, can’t handle the foot pain that develops very quickly. Yea for Internet shopping. Luv my tan new balance wide width shoes from onlineshoes.com!
I am also a fashionista! I also love to wear pretty shoes so I follow "barking dogs shoes" by a woman with RA and the shoes she reviews are the best though I have limited myself to 2 pair this spring. I use the promise of shopping as a carrot when I don't feel like exercising or something else I should be doing. I blame it on wearing a uniform all those years and white orthopedic shoes feeling like a human band aid! At home I stick to a pair of jeans that do not bind, stretchy jersey shirts and a sweater. I also wear support knee highs and Klogs. But on days out I do dress up more sometimes even dresses as I can wear support hose with them. I have a lot of swelling in my knees and ankles and have found some support hose that looks like regular pantyhose. Very expensive but so comfortable they are worth the money. I also buy my Klogs or other similar foot friendly shoe in lots of colors and styles. Besides Klogs I also love Naot and Comfort Soul and Dansko with the memory foam sole. Shopping sometimes feels like a treasure hunt for me. I always have a list of things I am looking for with prices I need to beat. We all need a hobby!
Seenie, you and I are a pair! Or should I say... great minds think alike!
I shop online at LLBean.... I know what fits, and buy the knit pants, comfy shoes, knit tops and cotton pullover sweaters. Their clothes hold up forever, look classic, and since I buy only comfy stuff, it accommodates easy on / off, taking a nap in it, minor weight gain or loss, and still looks put together. Plus, I never have to leave the house to buy something. I have an LL Bean Visa card (no fees), which means I get free return shipping on anything that doesn't fit or I don't like (it used to give me free shipping as well, but they started giving that to everyone...return shipping is $7 or so without the card).
If I simply MUST browse clothes in person, I shop at Kohl's. As many clothes as a department store, but smaller to get around in. Plus a good selection of comfortable stuff that holds up.
Seenie said:
Ditto! Sounds like elastic waists and stretchy, comfy knits seem to be our team uniform. I hate shopping as well, unless it's online!
I went through a several year long maxi-skirt and top phase! Super fun. Then we moved back to the Seattle area and my skirts got damp or wet at the bottom and I got chilled all the time. Blech.
Lovemydogs said:
Looks like I'm out numbered. I LOVE to shop!! But I still wear comfy clothing! I like to wear the long maxi skirts with lots of color and then depending on how the top part of the skirt/dress is, I will wear a comfortable shirt. My coworkers always comment on what I'm wearing and my husband calls me a fashionista for sure!!
I guess I just feel like, just because I'm in pain or tired, doesn't mean I don't want to look my best. Sounds kinda vain doesn't it?? Maybe not, it just keeps me upbeat & positive so I can do my best. The better I look, the better I feel and the better job I do.
Yes, Marietta, although I’m more of a Lands’ End girl myself. Like you, I know what fits, order, it comes, I put it on. Done. LOL!
Seenie, you and I are a pair! Or should I say... great minds think alike!
I shop online at LLBean.... I know what fits, and buy the knit pants, comfy shoes, knit tops and cotton pullover sweaters. Their clothes hold up forever, look classic, and since I buy only comfy stuff, it accommodates easy on / off, taking a nap in it, minor weight gain or loss, and still looks put together. Plus, I never have to leave the house to buy something. I have an LL Bean Visa card (no fees), which means I get free return shipping on anything that doesn't fit or I don't like (it used to give me free shipping as well, but they started giving that to everyone...return shipping is $7 or so without the card).
If I simply MUST browse clothes in person, I shop at Kohl's. As many clothes as a department store, but smaller to get around in. Plus a good selection of comfortable stuff that holds up.
Seenie said:Ditto! Sounds like elastic waists and stretchy, comfy knits seem to be our team uniform. I hate shopping as well, unless it's online!
Two days ago I placed a huge order with Land's End because I don't like to shop and I can return items to my local Sears store. I order many items in 2 sizes and return the one that doesn't fit. I hope my latest order has some winners in it !
I go to Chico's here in Memphis
I adore Chico's! Alas, everything is too long for me (I'm only 5'2")
Rebel mom said:
I go to Chico's here in Memphis
I love to shop! Purse, shoes, dresses, accessories…I love it all! I will shop anywhere from thrift shop finds, sales, Chico’s, Talbots andAnn Taylor. And, I still dress up for work. It’s hard enough for me to get motivated to leave home. When I am wearing something I really like, it makes it easier for me.
However, when I get home, I crawl into a maxi dress or yoga pants just like everyone else does. It’s my weekend uniform.
Nordstrom has a great service that a person will actually help you shop for what you are specifically looking for. And they also do alterations. I love to shop and look nice in what I am wearing. I also live in the Seattle area and find that layering with soft fabrics works great.
The new dansko clogs are wonderful, and if you are in the healthcare profession you can receive a discount at the walking company.
I have to admit. For the first time in forever I wore pants with two buttons and a zipper. Haven't been too thrilled about using the bathroom, as the buttons are getting bothersome. May just have to change out of the pants. They look good, but yoga pants are WAY easier.
Thanks for the Dansko tip! I love a discount.
Nsanmom said:
Nordstrom has a great service that a person will actually help you shop for what you are specifically looking for. And they also do alterations. I love to shop and look nice in what I am wearing. I also live in the Seattle area and find that layering with soft fabrics works great.
The new dansko clogs are wonderful, and if you are in the healthcare profession you can receive a discount at the walking company.