Jump to content


- - - - -

Question For The Ladies


  • Please log in to reply
33 replies to this topic

#1 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 29 December 2008 - 08:42 PM

I'm doing research on clothing/fashion...

what do you miss most when it comes to fashion??

What is the hardest thing for you to find when it comes to clothing??

Is there a type of clothing you prefer now vs. before injury??

I'm trying to work with some designers -- so any information would be great!

(This can go for guys as well -- not leaving y'all out. :) )
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#2 Ches

Ches

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,342 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:T4/T5
  • Injury Date:15-04-2007

Posted 29 December 2008 - 09:03 PM

I miss funky shoes, .. I know heels are still an option but the arches arent.. and all my shoes were pretty high or arched.. too uncomfortable now!

I wear way more lounge pants than every before..

Its super hard to find a shirt that tight on the rack but doesnt crawl up all day long. Even the longest tanks tend to crawl up if they are tight.. Totally annoying.

And I always have loved baggy/lose fitting clothes.. still wear them but its seems like all my shirts just end up bunched up at the belly and it makes me look fat! too much material!!! Tell designers we need longer backs and shorter front on the shirts!

I started sketching a bunch of sexy shoes for ppl with disability few months ago.. I tried to think of all scenarios.. not just paralysis.. I came up with some decent ideas Id be willing to share with ya if youre interested!
Our Handicaps Exist Only In the Mind

#3 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 29 December 2008 - 09:16 PM

Ches, I totally agree with you about longer shirts in the back and shorter in the front!

I still wear heels but not as often as I would like -- by the end of the night they are in my purse or in my lap LOL.

I've always been a T-shirt and jeans type of girl -- I loved it when no pocket jeans on the ass were in style because it didn't cause pressure marks. I can't find them anywhere anymore! Not only that but the lowrise cut is not wheelchair friendly! The back needs to go up -- same as the shirts!

Absolutely... I would love to see your sketches... oh and the designers I'm looking into... I have made very clear that I don't want to be just for paralysis, A.B. included! :)
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#4 wheelchairbarbie

wheelchairbarbie

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 524 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Prince Edward Island, Canada
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C5

Posted 29 December 2008 - 10:04 PM

I hate that because we sit down all the time, jeans are hardly long enough. Low rise jeans are also a pain in the ass. Jackets are sometimes too long, or too tight around the shoulder so it's hard to move.

Shoes are a big thing. I finally found a pair of heels I can actually wear, but mostly I can't wear them. Wide width is the key!

#5 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 29 December 2008 - 10:39 PM

Jen, I can never find jeans that are long enough, in fact I'm still wearing my jeans from four years ago! When I do find long jeans I will buy at least three pairs! My weight fluctuates so much that sometimes they are too tight and sometimes too baggy!

Oooo good idea on the jackets! I can't move my arms so I never thought of that but when I do wear jackets they are tight around the shoulder area. I use my shoulders a lot -- almost like they are my hands. I used to talk a lot with my hands.

It seems we all agree on something... SHOES!

Keep the ideas coming --

Anybody have bra issues??

Edited by Texas Angel Ang, 29 December 2008 - 10:41 PM.

"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#6 Murray

Murray

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 370 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Country:Placerville, CA
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:T6, T10-T11, complete

Posted 30 December 2008 - 12:04 AM

View PostTexas Angel Ang, on Dec 29 2008, 02:39 PM, said:

Anybody have bra issues??

Nope - but thanks for asking. Tell ya' what I do have - a new appreciation for womankind. I used to get pissed waiting for my girlfriend to dress for a date.

Now, my daily routine consists of putting on 1) thigh-high Teds, 2) knee-high compression socks, 3) leg bag holder, 4) leg bag (19 oz), 5) undies, 6) pants, 7) T-shirt, 8) shoes. Damn! By the time I'm finished, my fiance is yellin' at me to get my butt in gear.

Some folks just learn the hard way. LOL

Murray

Keep up the sketching, Ches. You'll be a famous designer some day, and we can all say we knew you back then....
Obey little. Resist much. -Whitman
Irrevence is the champion of liberty and its only defense. -Twain

#7 Nichole

Nichole

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 215 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:us
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:t6 incomplete

Posted 30 December 2008 - 01:23 AM

I miss super sexy stilettos! My feet will not sit right in them anymore since the heel is so skinny and the arch is so high :( It makes my ankle want to roll over every time i weight shift in my chair. As far as width goes though i have really narrow feet and they dont swell at all so my feet still look cute in these shoes, its just the lack of ankle support that gets me.

I also miss mini skirts...but thats just asking for a "wardrobe malfunction" getting in and out of the car lol. So I settle for skirts that hit just above the knee now.

As far as jeans go, length is a big deal, 1) because i'm sitting down, and 2) because i have really long legs. The best jeans I have are american eagle x-long, they have a 36inch inseam!

I dont really have any problems with shirts or jackets though. Of course, just have to make sure jackets arent so long that i'm sitting on them or getting them caught in my wheels.

No bra issues either...unless you count spending way too much money every time i find myself in a Victorias Secret store... :blush: lol

#8 Beautiful

Beautiful

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 846 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:USA
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:L2

Posted 30 December 2008 - 03:56 AM

Hardest? Jeans and shoes. For sure.

I am about 5'7, and my legs are on the longer side. When I am sitting, sometimes my jeans rise up and are almost like "high waters". Also, the backs don't come up high enough. I can't wear a belt, because when I do, the belt goes past the jeans, and it rubs against my skin on my back. Hard to explain, sorry. Also, in the upper thigh/crotch area, it gets tighter and bunches up. I am afraid that it will cut off my circulation one day. Another one is shoes. My feet are more wide and can't fit into most shoes. I'm stuck with flats (but there are a lot of cute styles out there now ;)).

Jackets are a tad difficult, because I do have muscle in my arms, and jackets sometimes squeeze my upper arms/shoulder area, making it hard to wheel around. I have bony shoulders, but they are wide, and shirts sometimes squeeze my upper body and dig into my under arm area. Sooo irritating!

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”

#9 doublelibra

doublelibra

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 1,051 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Nebraska
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C6-7, MVA 1991

Posted 30 December 2008 - 05:34 AM

Hi everybody- Ditto on the too much shirt in front syndrome. I'm a quadriplegic, and my stomach does stick out some, so it's definitely not a good look. Clothes are generally made to look good standing up, and for us, that doesn't matter. Also, it 's about impossible as a quadriplegic not to slouch some, but that's a seating issue. I wear a lot of plain dark stretchy pants now that I would have not worn before my injury. Most pants have too much fabric in front and not enough in back. You end up looking like Urkel (remember him?) or like you've had a sex change LOL. I also don't bother with underpants because they don't work so well with a suprapubic catheter.

Also what about coats? I don't like to have someone have to help me get it on and off, so I wear a lighter jacket and cover with a nice knitted afghan that I can put on and off with my limited hand function.

doublelibra

#10 wheeliebear75

wheeliebear75

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,782 posts
  • Gender:Not Telling
  • Country:San Diego California
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:L2 incomplete 4/28/1990

Posted 30 December 2008 - 08:31 AM

I wish that pants were made with more slender legs and more generous around the waist and tummy area.
My arms and shoulders are bigger than those of an AB so sometimes for T-shirts I've bought boys before. (no not the most fashionable but they're comfy)
And yes things that look terrific while standing don't always look nearly as well sitting down.

I've seen some stuff "designed for those who use wheelchairs"......but I never got any of it cuz quite frankly the stuff I've seen was just either NOT something I'd wear OR it was to much money. Only having an SSI check......I don't have a lot of $ to spend on high-end fashion.
*Enjoy every sunset, but be grateful for every dawn.*
*Wheelchairs are made of a special ocular magnetic alloy......they're "eyeball magnets".*
*I USE a wheelchair, that does NOT make ME a wheelchair!*

#11 wheelywendy

wheelywendy

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 575 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:uk
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:L1

Posted 30 December 2008 - 10:13 AM

hi i've always been bit of a jeans and blouse type girl, i do find blouses a problem as they are often restrictive across the back and you need that bit of give for self propelling, jeans can be a problem those with rigid waist seem to rub the small of my back so i tend to go for pull ons, ok for everyday use but not so good for special occasions, skirt wise my fav skirt is one that was supposed to be high on one side long on the other but as its elastic wasted i turn it to be short at the back and long at front, this works well as it tapers to a point at the front keeping the sides clear of my wheels and looks great too, means much less material to try to tuck away. i have slight bra issue in that fashion seems to be making bras so the straps come right from (hard to explain) outside of bra, these really annoy me as i end up having to stop every couple of wheels to put straps back on my shoulders, so tend to stick to the not so glamerous cross over sports bras, would be nice to see fashionable bras that the shoulder straps will stay in place when self propelling. shoes wise i dont have a prob as always been a low heel pactical shoe type girl anyway, i just love the skechers shoes, they grip well on my footrest and come in loads of colours with the added bonus of being able to add the push in flowers (originally made for crocs) to match my outfit, wore white pair with matching flower to my skirt suit at my brothers wedding last year and sooo many peolpe complimented me on them.
i think the clothes designed for wheelchair useres are good design but a) too pricey and :blush: boring materials and colours, no pretty clothes or girly clothes

Edited by wheelywendy, 03 January 2009 - 11:16 AM.

it wasnt me, i didnt do it, no one saw me so they cant prove a thing!

#12 wheels21

wheels21

    Lurker

  • Members
  • 4 posts
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:t5

Posted 30 December 2008 - 10:39 AM

i seem to have the same problem as everyone else with jeans and tops as a para most jackets are to tight on the arms and a little long at the sides i know i should use the side guards on my chair but they get in the way when i transfer would also like to wear heels but i can't seem to find any so im now also a big fan of skeckers have most colour! :blush:

#13 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 30 December 2008 - 03:22 PM

Wow, thanks everyone, I'm going to eventually print this out and when I have my meeting with the designer all of you will be a part of it :blush: so keep the ideas/complaints LOL coming!

PS Murray you crack me up!

Oh as far as shoes -- sketchers have been the most practical for me as well -- lots of colors and variety to choose from.

Edited by Texas Angel Ang, 30 December 2008 - 03:24 PM.

"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#14 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 30 December 2008 - 03:53 PM

Oh as far as price goes, I hear you on that! When I finally found clothing that would work for me post injury my first thoughts were "um yet not so much... and I wasn't about to pay that much money for something I didn't like"

on the other hand, I have wasted so much money on buying clothes that just sit in my closet because they do not fit right! I would rather spend money on clothing that I am actually going to wear vs. letting my closet enjoy my wardrobe :)
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#15 azx43

azx43

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 108 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Flagstaff, Arizona
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:TBI survivor

Posted 30 December 2008 - 06:06 PM

Quote

Anybody have bra issues??



YES I have "bra issues" in that I need and would like the support that an underwire bra provides, but as I self-propell, independently transfer, etc., all the truly supporivfe bras that I've found have sharp underwires! The wires can and do shift when I move and poke me inconvenient places. It also seems like all the sexy (lace, silk, and low-cut) bras have wires, or worse yet, corsets w/stays.

I recently found some suppportive bras by Hanes her Way that don't have underwires.

Quote

Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Meade

#16 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 30 December 2008 - 06:21 PM

View Postazx43, on Dec 30 2008, 12:06 PM, said:

Quote

Anybody have bra issues??



YES I have "bra issues" in that I need and would like the support that an underwire bra provides, but as I self-propell, independently transfer, etc., all the truly supporivfe bras that I've found have sharp underwires! The wires can and do shift when I move and poke me inconvenient places. It also seems like all the sexy (lace, silk, and low-cut) bras have wires, or worse yet, corsets w/stays.

I recently found some suppportive bras by Hanes her Way that don't have underwires.

The underwires drive me crazy too and I can't even move. They dig in and are so uncomfortable. I started wearing the ipex bra from Victoria's Secret -- I like it so much that I bought the cami's too -- I like to layer my tops and the built-in bra is so convenient! They are expensive but on cell right now for $23 -- I just bought 3 in different colors!
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#17 City Girl

City Girl

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 236 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Toronto, Canada
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:T12 INCOMPLETE, ASIA D

Posted 02 January 2009 - 10:44 PM

1. flip flops, mules...any kind of backless shoe
- to compensate, I wore a cute, little, strappy flat this summer. Tons of room if my feet would swell.

2. heels, I am just starting to get back into a few pairs, mostly wedges and chunkies
- in terms of stilettos, no can do...yet, but I found a great pair of boots on ebay that are very stylish (attached photo).
They are material so there is room for swelling.

3. mini skirts/dresses
- to compensate, this past summer, I wore fitted stretch skirts that would just hang slightly over the knee when sitting in my wheelchair
- this fall/winter, I have been wearing cute tunics with leggings (attached photo)

Attached Thumbnails

  • Bandolino_boot.jpg
  • Krista_in_tunic.jpg

~ City Girl ~
I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.

#18 hurbshankin

hurbshankin

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 254 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Country:Angelica, NY
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:c-5/6 (6-24-07)

Posted 03 January 2009 - 05:43 PM

Don't give me a hard time but I watch "What Not to Wear" with my wife. They often suggest buying clothesc a tad big and have them tailored, typically not too expensive. Hey, if they can fit clothes to odd shaped AB's, why not a gimp in a chair?

Hurb :mfromg:



"Being is not enough, we must do; knowing is not enough, we must apply"
L. DaVinci


www.mastercraftwoodproducts.i8.com - pre-accident


#19 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 03 January 2009 - 08:25 PM

View PostCity Girl, on Jan 2 2009, 04:44 PM, said:

1. flip flops, mules...any kind of backless shoe
- to compensate, I wore a cute, little, strappy flat this summer. Tons of room if my feet would swell.

2. heels, I am just starting to get back into a few pairs, mostly wedges and chunkies
- in terms of stilettos, no can do...yet, but I found a great pair of boots on ebay that are very stylish (attached photo).
They are material so there is room for swelling.

3. mini skirts/dresses
- to compensate, this past summer, I wore fitted stretch skirts that would just hang slightly over the knee when sitting in my wheelchair
- this fall/winter, I have been wearing cute tunics with leggings (attached photo)

thanks city girl -- those boots are very cute. I have something similar but they zip up so it's easier for mom to put on me.

As far as heels -- I'm still experimenting and trying to find cute and comfy. The wedges and chunkies are what I wear as well.

I don't wear skirts because my legs are too skinny (muscle atrophy) it's my biggest complex! But thanks for letting me know. I'm calling the designer on Monday! Not sure if he can help me out but hopefully he can point me in the right direction!






View Posthurbshankin, on Jan 3 2009, 11:43 AM, said:

Don't give me a hard time but I watch "What Not to Wear" with my wife. They often suggest buying clothesc a tad big and have them tailored, typically not too expensive. Hey, if they can fit clothes to odd shaped AB's, why not a gimp in a chair?

Hurb :mfromg:

Hurb-- Thank you so much for your input & no way would I give you a hard time for watching "what not to wear" with the wife!

I have actually tailored my own jeans so that they would not cause pressure marks! I'm just getting ideas for when I talk to the designer :lmao:
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#20 lnicole1123

lnicole1123

    Lurker

  • Members
  • 2 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:L2

Posted 04 January 2009 - 03:10 AM

View PostNichole, on Dec 30 2008, 02:23 AM, said:

I miss super sexy stilettos! My feet will not sit right in them anymore since the heel is so skinny and the arch is so high :( It makes my ankle want to roll over every time i weight shift in my chair. As far as width goes though i have really narrow feet and they dont swell at all so my feet still look cute in these shoes, its just the lack of ankle support that gets me.

I also miss mini skirts...but thats just asking for a "wardrobe malfunction" getting in and out of the car lol. So I settle for skirts that hit just above the knee now.

As far as jeans go, length is a big deal, 1) because i'm sitting down, and 2) because i have really long legs. The best jeans I have are american eagle x-long, they have a 36inch inseam!

I dont really have any problems with shirts or jackets though. Of course, just have to make sure jackets arent so long that i'm sitting on them or getting them caught in my wheels.

No bra issues either...unless you count spending way too much money every time i find myself in a Victorias Secret store... :blush: lol


I have learned to adapt my wardrobe to the new fashionable "flats" (the trend couldnt have come at a better time for me).
I cannot stand shopping for JEANS! I am young and consider myself "trendy" but like everyone has said, the low rise jean is sooo not practical. I have found long jeans at alloy.com pressy successfully but they tend to get expensive. ditto on all the other issues as well!

#21 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 04 January 2009 - 04:24 AM

View Postlnicole1123, on Jan 3 2009, 09:10 PM, said:

View PostNichole, on Dec 30 2008, 02:23 AM, said:

I miss super sexy stilettos! My feet will not sit right in them anymore since the heel is so skinny and the arch is so high :( It makes my ankle want to roll over every time i weight shift in my chair. As far as width goes though i have really narrow feet and they dont swell at all so my feet still look cute in these shoes, its just the lack of ankle support that gets me.

I also miss mini skirts...but thats just asking for a "wardrobe malfunction" getting in and out of the car lol. So I settle for skirts that hit just above the knee now.

As far as jeans go, length is a big deal, 1) because i'm sitting down, and 2) because i have really long legs. The best jeans I have are american eagle x-long, they have a 36inch inseam!

I dont really have any problems with shirts or jackets though. Of course, just have to make sure jackets arent so long that i'm sitting on them or getting them caught in my wheels.

No bra issues either...unless you count spending way too much money every time i find myself in a Victorias Secret store... :blush: lol


I have learned to adapt my wardrobe to the new fashionable "flats" (the trend couldnt have come at a better time for me).
I cannot stand shopping for JEANS! I am young and consider myself "trendy" but like everyone has said, the low rise jean is sooo not practical. I have found long jeans at alloy.com pressy successfully but they tend to get expensive. ditto on all the other issues as well!


I have done the same thing as well... during the summer my main source of shoes is sandals they are more convenient plus I like to show my tattoos LOL. I will wear flats when going out and getting dressed up I will wear the wedges/Heels. For New Year's Eve I wore heels and surprisingly they stayed on the entire night!

JEANS JEANS JEANS -- THAT IS MY MAIN PRIORITY! I will have to go alloy.com and check it out!

I see you're from Texas, what part????
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#22 Rachel75

Rachel75

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 18 posts

Posted 04 January 2009 - 02:12 PM

Hi,

I am C5/C6 and have been for 11 years so plenty of time to make some spectacular fashion faux-pas or FFPs as they are now called.

I am 5ft 11 which doesn't help much at times but here in the UK there are certain shops which sell a tall range of clothes alongside their normal stuff and that helps. Tops are longer in the body and trousers longer in the leg, so normally they fit well. I normally buy a 36 inch leg and over here they have a newish fashion cut called boyfriend jeans which come higher up at the back and a bit at the front without looking stupid. I also buy longer tops aswell-normal and party tops, so you don't tend to get that horrible gape down our side where tops and bottoms don't meet. Like city girl said, tunics and leggings are both in fashion and look stylish and seem to work quite well this season. Dresses are a bit hit and miss and don't normally hang right, as I am bigger on the bottom than the top and more often than not you get an excess bunching of material round your middle. I have found pinning it behind you with small safety pins or wearing a wide belt can work or putting any excess material under my thigh and sitting on it as long as it's only something soft. Straight skirts are in here and tend to work and corsets/basque tops work for me too but they're more night time. Halternecks can look nice too provided they're long enough in the body. In the day, jeans and trousers/leggings with thick tights underneath as it's cold and a vest top with another top over it. Skirts just above the knee or very long skirts i.e. ankle length can look nice too but again, I always tuck extra material underneath my thighs to stop it getting in the way of my wheels/stop me from bearing all to the world on a windy day! Bras, well, I was always flat chested anyway and even THEY reduced post injury so very early on I discovered those breast pad things...we call them chicken fillets. The only thing is, make sure you put a lining in your bra-like a little pocket or if it's lace on top and material underneath, you will normally find you can unpick the lace from the material and slot them in there. If you don't do this and you can't feel/bend down to pick them up, you may find, as I have, that you are faced with some embarrassing incidents in some very public places!

Long coats look nice and help to keep warm but they are a pain to get on and off and it's a proper 5 min job to put material underneath your bum, pull it down, straighten it up etc. Depends how much effort you want to go to. Then when I take them off, I only ever bother with the top half if I'm out cos I'm not going through all that again! Short jackets are a lot easier to get on and off but are also a lot less warm. Shoes....well, like most girls, I love shoes and I have many pairs of heels in my wardrobe. Unfortunately, that's where they tend to stay as my left ankle always flops over and you spend the whole time either putting it back or looking a tad uncomfortable. Not to mention when this happens any posture you may still have tends to go out the window. Tipping your foot plate back on an angle away from you helps, depending on your footplate, or slotting your heels down the back of your footplate is another trick. However, flats or something with a grip sole prove to be less of a problem although I doubt I'll ever give up on heels altogether. I have a pair of biker boots-ebay bargain-that look great with leggings and shortish skirts.

And for those of us with a bulge around our mid drift or anything short of a tummy as flat as a pancake, you can buy a tummy band, not sexy, I agree, but not totally hideous either and they really do help you get your waistline back. I only really wear mine for evenings out if I'm dressed up as they do tend to leave a few marks on your skin where they've been tight but if you're anything like me, those kind of marks tend to fade within a couple of hours.

Hope this helps,

Rachel
X

#23 EmHope

EmHope

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 53 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Michigan, USA
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C6 complete

Posted 04 January 2009 - 03:39 PM

Thank goodness somebody is doing something about fashion here. As a girl who loves to dress up and go out and feel sexy about the clothes thing, it's hard when you can't wear somthing hott like you want to turn heads. :oops:

SHOES are my absolute #1 request. I LOVE SHOES!!! My ankles also roll when wearing stilettos and other heels and boots only fit on if they have a zipper down the sides. Yes backless shoes can slip off too. I've had straps put on the back of some but that does take away from the sex appeal. When wearing heels I've also tried velcroing them to my foot rest which helps at the begining of the day, but at the end the ankles start to roll again.

ALSO...yes, shirts should be longer in the back so they don't ride up when wheeling. Occationally I've resorted to safty pinning a shirt on the back/sides to my pants to keep the shirt down-but now my shirts have holes in the back/bottom sides from pins.

AND...jeans, dress pants, sweat pants, capris, etc should have an option of an invisable ziper on the inside seem of the pants (the crotch area) for cathing convienience. I have had a taylor put some in pants of mine - starts at the inside seem of 1 knee and unzip the seem towards the inside and then down the other inside seem to the other knee. They look completely invisable and alows for women to not have to do so much hassel with clothes when cathing. Lucky guys who can just unzip and whip it out to see when cathing. :)

With that invisable zipper I can wheel up to a toilet facing it, spead my legs slightly, unzip the pant zipper, move my undies to the side and cath easily right into the toilet. Then zip up and no fussing with getting the pants up and down. I HATED getting my pants up and down because 1) it took a while, 2) public bathrooms were so small, and 3) I HATE and can not stand crooked pants-so this way they stay straight all day long!

Thanks! :poo:
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
--Nelson Mandela

#24 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 04 January 2009 - 08:40 PM

I hear you over and out! I have been thinking about the invisible zipper for a very long time -- thank you for explaining.

I cannot stand it when my jeans/pants are crooked! It drives me crazy!

Well I'm going to be looking for designers starting tomorrow and everybody's information will be included! Thanks everyone & wish me luck! I can't promise a miracle but I'M WORKING ON IT :dev:

I already have a name -- now it's time to get this thing rollin!

View PostEmHope, on Jan 4 2009, 09:39 AM, said:

Thank goodness somebody is doing something about fashion here. As a girl who loves to dress up and go out and feel sexy about the clothes thing, it's hard when you can't wear somthing hott like you want to turn heads. :angel:

SHOES are my absolute #1 request. I LOVE SHOES!!! My ankles also roll when wearing stilettos and other heels and boots only fit on if they have a zipper down the sides. Yes backless shoes can slip off too. I've had straps put on the back of some but that does take away from the sex appeal. When wearing heels I've also tried velcroing them to my foot rest which helps at the begining of the day, but at the end the ankles start to roll again.

ALSO...yes, shirts should be longer in the back so they don't ride up when wheeling. Occationally I've resorted to safty pinning a shirt on the back/sides to my pants to keep the shirt down-but now my shirts have holes in the back/bottom sides from pins.

AND...jeans, dress pants, sweat pants, capris, etc should have an option of an invisable ziper on the inside seem of the pants (the crotch area) for cathing convienience. I have had a taylor put some in pants of mine - starts at the inside seem of 1 knee and unzip the seem towards the inside and then down the other inside seem to the other knee. They look completely invisable and alows for women to not have to do so much hassel with clothes when cathing. Lucky guys who can just unzip and whip it out to see when cathing. :yikes:

With that invisable zipper I can wheel up to a toilet facing it, spead my legs slightly, unzip the pant zipper, move my undies to the side and cath easily right into the toilet. Then zip up and no fussing with getting the pants up and down. I HATED getting my pants up and down because 1) it took a while, 2) public bathrooms were so small, and 3) I HATE and can not stand crooked pants-so this way they stay straight all day long!

Thanks! :)

"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#25 lnicole1123

lnicole1123

    Lurker

  • Members
  • 2 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:L2

Posted 05 January 2009 - 12:24 AM

View PostTexas Angel Ang, on Jan 4 2009, 05:24 AM, said:

View Postlnicole1123, on Jan 3 2009, 09:10 PM, said:

View PostNichole, on Dec 30 2008, 02:23 AM, said:

I miss super sexy stilettos! My feet will not sit right in them anymore since the heel is so skinny and the arch is so high :angel: It makes my ankle want to roll over every time i weight shift in my chair. As far as width goes though i have really narrow feet and they dont swell at all so my feet still look cute in these shoes, its just the lack of ankle support that gets me.

I also miss mini skirts...but thats just asking for a "wardrobe malfunction" getting in and out of the car lol. So I settle for skirts that hit just above the knee now.

As far as jeans go, length is a big deal, 1) because i'm sitting down, and 2) because i have really long legs. The best jeans I have are american eagle x-long, they have a 36inch inseam!

I dont really have any problems with shirts or jackets though. Of course, just have to make sure jackets arent so long that i'm sitting on them or getting them caught in my wheels.

No bra issues either...unless you count spending way too much money every time i find myself in a Victorias Secret store... :yikes: lol


I have learned to adapt my wardrobe to the new fashionable "flats" (the trend couldnt have come at a better time for me).
I cannot stand shopping for JEANS! I am young and consider myself "trendy" but like everyone has said, the low rise jean is sooo not practical. I have found long jeans at alloy.com pressy successfully but they tend to get expensive. ditto on all the other issues as well!


I have done the same thing as well... during the summer my main source of shoes is sandals they are more convenient plus I like to show my tattoos LOL. I will wear flats when going out and getting dressed up I will wear the wedges/Heels. For New Year's Eve I wore heels and surprisingly they stayed on the entire night!

JEANS JEANS JEANS -- THAT IS MY MAIN PRIORITY! I will have to go alloy.com and check it out!

I see you're from Texas, what part????




I am from the suburbs of Houston. I go to school (college) near downtown. where are you from?

#26 Jackiefff

Jackiefff

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 138 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:IA
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:T6-T7 complete

Posted 05 January 2009 - 02:54 PM

i do well with dressy shirts for the most part i find the ones that get a little bigger at the bottom and then during the summer i wore alot of leggings, so it just looks lke a dress on me since im sitting! otherwise i do have dresses too and do the same thing now that its winter the same thing, except long leggings down to my ankle and ug boots.. i never thought i could get my foot into them and i couldn't but i did find a pair and Vanity that i get my fioot into with hardley no work and they are a size 6!
now for casual... i got nothing! just for going out to the mall when u want to dreess up.. sweatpants all the time, all my jeans are way to low, my butt hangs out perfusely! and they arent tight in the legs but they sure do create a muffin top! which makes me so uncomfortable i just cant do it, for work i had to get a pair of khakis so i actually tried materinty long khakis and i think thats the best ill ever get. they go up over my stomache and the stomache part isnt tight of course since im not preggo but i have a para belly but with my work shirt over it you cant tell! so basically leggings and maternity pants is all i have! i wish i could find jeans but i am so fed up, they all make me look so much heavier than i am and they dont go up high enough, i havnt looked into maternityjeans yet

#27 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 08 January 2009 - 11:00 PM

Just an update for everyone that responded or that's read this -- I finally got a hold of a designer and we are meeting up to discuss ideas on Tuesday! I'm so excited and I will be printing this topic out, so y'all will be a part of the meeting :specool:

thanks again everyone!
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me

#28 Beautiful

Beautiful

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 846 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:USA
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:L2

Posted 09 January 2009 - 02:16 AM

Aww, yay! Good job! :specool:
"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”

#29 Ches

Ches

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,342 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:T4/T5
  • Injury Date:15-04-2007

Posted 09 January 2009 - 04:10 AM

Alloy is a good place to get pants.. Paris Blues arent TOO low in the back... Unless you have a lot of back.

I just spent 15 minutes trying to look up this one pair of pocket-less h2j jeans I absolutely love.. I actually got them before the accident and they've turned out to be a good pair to own..

Since I cant find the jeans I decided to let you all in on a little secret.. Find the jeans that fit your legs n ass right, then wash and use this http://www.shophomet..._A_Inch Master while they dry.

Ive got one.. of course I had it before the accident.. it will help make any pair of pants fit you perfectly no matter how "fat/bloated" of a day you think you are having. One cool think I've come to notice with this is the fit will stay in the waistline so long as you don't dry your jeans. Just pull them out of the washer, give the waist a simple stretch (no need for the tool everytime), and you're done.

Its worth the money...

(Just looked at the price.. its listed for $30, I got it elsewhere for $20.. shop around if you want a good deal)

Edited by Ches, 09 January 2009 - 04:11 AM.

Our Handicaps Exist Only In the Mind

#30 Texas Angel Ang

Texas Angel Ang

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 939 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Country:Texas
  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C1 C2 Incomplete

Posted 14 January 2009 - 10:12 PM

A quick update for everyone that helped me out!

I went and met with the designer yesterday and it looks like I will be starting my own fashion line!!!! I'm making my dreams a reality and it feels great!

I just wanted to thank everybody that wrote me and added your input -- like I said I would do, I printed out this forum topic and let him read it.

I'll keep you guys updated :)

2009 is looking divine!!!!
"Become your own roll model, your wheelchair is just another accessory in life" Me




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users



This website is a way for those with spinal cord injuries to share experiences and advice. Any medical matters, treatments or alternative therapies discussed on this website should be thoroughly reviewed by a medical professional or therapist before being acted upon. Under no circumstances should you alter prescribed medication or a medical care plan without consulting your doctor or care plan supervisor first.