Clothes

The aim of this page is to guide you when choosing clothing, as many of you have told us this can be a real challenge. The links, tips and advice have been shared from support groups.

Are there any general tips when I am shopping?

Wear loose and comfortable clothing as very tight clothes or waist bands can impair blood and lymph flow which can increase swelling.
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.
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.

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.
Stretchy cardigans or 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 brightly coloured 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 brightly coloured 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.