Clothes

Shopping for clothes

Are there any general tips when I am shopping?

Wear loose and comfortable clothing as tight clothes or waist bands can impair blood and lymph flow which can increase swelling.
When you shop/try on your clothes see if you can get a trusted friend/family member to go with you to offer advice and support.
Natural or breathable fabrics like cotton can help keep you cool.
Consider a seamstress to help adapt clothes you love. This will keep the cost of buying new items down. For example, girth of sleeves or legs can be altered and adding stretchy fabrics allows for flexibility. Armholes can be dropped or removed.

Are there any tips when finding clothes for swollen arms?

Try and keep clothes loose so they do not constrict if your arm size varies throughout the day. Batwing, butterfly or bell sleeves can be a good option as full long sleeves don’t always accommodate the larger arm.
Opting for a larger size is not always the best idea, especially if you are of a smaller frame.
Cardigans, stretchy jumpers, pashminas, wraps and shawls are some suggestions for upper body clothing.
Some people want to draw focus away from their upper body and wear bright shoes or snazzy bottoms to draw attention there.

Are there any tips when finding clothes for swollen legs?

You may need to try different styles of trousers and see what you like/what suits you. There are so many options to choose from: Full length, wide leg, Turkish harem, cargo, joggers and palazzo – to name a few. Try them and see what you prefer. Don’t forget the options of dresses and skirts.
Avoid anything that will constrict around the ankle, especially if your leg swells over the course of the day.
Some people like to draw attention away from their legs and utilise tops with V necks, halter necks and accessories/jewellery or scarves.

Are there any websites to help me?

Our patient group have put together a list of popular sites they have used. It is not exhaustive and we would love your feedback if you have found one that you would recommend.

Is there somewhere I can go to get advice and support from like-minded people?

There are some organisations and links below that also share lots of support and advice, not just about clothes and shoes.

Other resources available from Lymphoedema Wales

We also have a range of leaflets and videos on related topics that you might find helpful here:

Please note the links on this leaflet open a page on a third-party site and some content may not be available in Welsh