117 replies to this topic

[hanguk]

finding the right jeans is a problem, I don't want them to be baggy in the legs, I also don't want them to be too low or too high. And also there is that seam that goes where your butt crack is and is bad for your skin. I have looked at the jeans in catalogues for clothes for people who use wheelchairs but I didn't like the look of them much, they seemed less stylish.
And I forgot to mention about coats. When pushing a chair around there's no way the sleeves won't be get dirty and torn so I have to have a crap coat for when I have to push around and save my nice ones for when I'm riding in a car and don't have far to go from the car to wherever.. I have 2 that I like and I don't want to mess them up. I like coats to fit closely in the body because the baggy coat look is really unflattering.

[gsp23]

I dont often wear jeans because I cant transfer well into my 4x4 pickup truck with them. I pull myself up with the oh $hit bar and there is quite a bit of resistance and doing that multiple times in a day is using up energy I need otherwise. Anyways when I do wear jeans I like Lucky Brand jeans. You can buy them at Buckle stores I know for sure. Jensens also sells them but they carry limit styles & sizes. I wear a size 8 jean and they fit comfortablely although I am sure I could squeeze into a smaller size if need be but I dont like the tight fit anymore, plus I dont know if I could get the tigher jeans on anymore! I am not overweight by any means but used to be a cyclist and had muscular legs. I havent seen much atrophy in my legs as of yet so maybe my size will shrink with time but still fitting into a size 8 here.

[Ches]

I wear Lucky Brand as well..Im a 4 but I buy the 6..I dont like sitting with jeans cutting into your gut all day,, its ugly and uncomfortable. I cant say those jeans have been the greatest. They are ALEWAYS falling off my ass, it did teach me to pull my pants up in the chair pretty really in the game though.

My favorite jeans are No big brand name I can recall right now,, They are just some clearance rack brown corduroys I got for work pre injury. They always fit just right and were very light. Now post injury they still fit just right. I totally recommend the stylish cords for casual wear.

[nikki buckley]

 hanma51, on Aug 28 2007, 06:00 AM, said:

My daughter had a similar problem with shoes. She found that her shoes kept slipping from the foot rest, or would turn out or in. The solution we found was a little square of velcro. Depending on the shoes, surface of the shoe, etc. Please be cautous of the amount of time you were your high heels, wedges, etc. It is the perfect postion for a footdrop, and you do no want to deal with that. Also, I don't know anything about the height of your knees, or what would problems it would cause, but pressure sores are not something you would want to exchange for good looking feet.

finally someone speaking sense.

[LeahC]

I wear my high heels like this, hooked on my foot rest x

Attached Thumbnails

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[T-Crip]

 Katherine, on Sep 20 2007, 12:49 PM, said:

I saw the mention of "bra" and it brought to mind a problem I have been having and wondered if anyone had any ideas out there... I want a bra that fastens in the front with some sort of back support. Nothing out there seems to work. I almost am looking at a corset but they seem to be cumbersome. Any ideas ladies???

Edited by T-Crip, 29 July 2009 - 07:39 AM.

[myers6095]

shoot alot of the time i just wear very intesting a cute sox and nothing else. is that bad? lol

[qbounce]

 myers6095, on Dec 18 2009, 06:07 AM, said:

shoot alot of the time i just wear very intesting a cute sox and nothing else. is that bad? lol

Yes, VERY...VERY...BAD!!

But don't tell Santa, 'cause you might go on his naughty list!

[wreckinball]

Hi all,

After my injury I decided to wear skirts exclusively from the start; it just seemed that beyond being uncomfortable and difficult to pull on and off, pants would be even more of a pain and much more time-consuming to deal with when I cathed, which already takes enough time, especially when minutes count or you're in public. Easy access!

I live in Southern California so generally I'm lucky and able to get by with knee-length or longer skirts and dresses and knee socks or stockings. Besides being functional, it's a classy look and I always get compliments on my style, and it's easy to dress down or sex up if the occasion calls for it. Also, with stockings, even when I walked it felt more comfortable to wear a garter belt, which is the most practical way to wear tights in a wheelchair - again, easy access for cathing, and a simple way to feel sexy, too. You can cut any pair of tights off at the top of the legs.

Shoes are much harder, but I do have a few pairs of heels that I'm able to wear; shoes with chunkier heels or even just shoes with a slight lift accentuate the legs, even when ankles and knees are swollen, and boots are great, too. I have a few pairs of shoes that I've tried to adjust or modify to make them easier to wear, but sometimes you just can't win against stilettoes or even sandals. It's fun to experiment with things you want to make work - there's usually a way.

I keep my knees together with a wide ribbon, simple and practical (and, I've been told, pretty sexy) and many colors to choose from so it can become part of the outfit. You can tie it in a bow and rotate it around under your knees to make it more discreet.

I wonder if there are any other women who forgo pants also? It just made sense for me...even when I was still in the ICU (and with morphine!) I was joking about how to make things as easy and quick as I could, and to the tune of George Michael's "Careless Whisper" I sang, "I'm never wearin' pants again..."

Jade

[shawzfun]

 Laura24, on Aug 30 2007, 09:21 AM, said:

hello everyone

I have registered in this forum sincea few months However this is the first time I write something. I have enjoyed reading your posts and have found everything very interesting and useful

about your topic. Well I really miss wearing short sexy pants. I used to have long straight legs and I remember having the attention of everybody when dressing like that (I was only a teenager). I cannot do this anymore because of the leg bag and also because I have lost a lot of weight even though my legs are still very straight even after 10 years of paralyzes. I don't regret high heels though.

I have several loose skinny jeans. I have my fave boots, they have to be flats (for me) Just have someone check ur bag freq.
I wish u the best..

[guido]

For contemporary jeans for wheelchair that look normal and not special needs and are super comfortable! Can post outside UK, but couple of people from US already asked and postage and currency does ends up making them a bit pricey.

[TextualFury]

Just thought I would put my two cents in. I am a corset wearer. I did this because my chest which is very large started to break the bones between my shoulders. No spinal damage there because i stopped wearing a bra without a corset. Right now I am between corsets but I get mine made to fit ME and no one else. I will post pictures once my latest corset gets here.

Never wear an off the rack corset. Ever. They do not support anything and their boning tends to be bulkier. If you want my personal recommendation on where to buy a corset Romantasy.com has a lot of variety for every size type, I would aim for a foundation corset and NOT a tight lacing corset due to the inherent risks with no feeling and such. Romantasy does have a brick and mortar store but works well online.

I've never had issue hiding my corsets or showing them off. For a large bust I also have never had so much actual support. I may actually get a bra again now, because the corset takes the burden off of my back.

I prefer skirts mostly as I keep getting sores from my pants. I have four pairs of pants that work, and then mostly skirts.

As far as high heels go, however, I am thinking kitten heels would work pretty well. They aren't too tall, and the kitten heels I personally like have a wider base. Worst comes to worst since due to other non Sci issues my feet are pretty floppy, I will try the velcro idea.

[rue2you]

I wear skirts almost exclusively also. I find that they help hold my legs together and in places without them flopping everywhere. I can't stand for my legs to flop apart in my chair!! I feel so unladylike. So, a straight denim or khaki skirt keeps them pretty much together. Also, I told my OT about the problem I had with that, and she gave me a really soft piece of like thin foam that is about 2 inches wide and a piece of velcro that holds it together. I just wrap it above my knees, under my skirt, and they stay together beautifully. With my legs "tied" in place, it helps my feet stay on my footplate better also. I have now learned that this is what the use at the top of an AFO to keep it snug to your calf. At least, where I do therapy this is what they use.

I wear skirts almost exclusively also. I find that they help hold my legs together and in places without them flopping everywhere. I can't stand for my legs to flop apart in my chair!! I feel so unladylike. So, a straight denim or khaki skirt keeps them pretty much together. Also, I told my OT about the problem I had with that, and she gave me a really soft piece of like thin foam that is about 2 inches wide and a piece of velcro that holds it together. I just wrap it above my knees, under my skirt, and they stay together beautifully. With my legs "tied" in place, it helps my feet stay on my footplate better also. I have now learned that this is what the use at the top of an AFO to keep it snug to your calf. At least, where I do therapy this is what they use.

[mellowgator]

 Apparelyzed, on 19 September 2007 - 11:21 AM, said:

Regarding dresses,

Most women I know who don't like wearing dresses/skirts in a wheelchair, complain that they look unflattering.

This is due to the dress/skirt hanging over the edge of the cusion, and also due to posture spreading their legs apart, which isnt good news if the dress or skirt is short.

So, the simple solution is to get a lap belt, a strap of material with velcro at both ends. You can put this around both legs to tie them together, above the knees, and cover the strap up with your skirt/dress.

With your knees closer together, you'll have better posture, and you'll look slimmer from the front. You can also wear closer fitting and shorter dresses/skirts to show your legs off, and you clothes won't get caught in your wheels.

And no, I don't know this from personal experience!


Simon.

simon,

i've been injured 23 years and never thought about a lap belt. man that is brilliant! i wish i had known this ages ago. this will change how i shop. i'm so over wearing long dress.

mellowgator

[Tyele]

 dorkette, on 03 September 2007 - 05:02 AM, said:

I hate clothes shopping with a passion, especially when I go with my main purpose being in search of clothes.

Shoes - I wear a kids 1 so I'm lucky if I find something thats non powerranger or barbie. Heels are out of the question, my ankles are way to wobbly (personally I think they are way to flexible to not be broken but never cared to check) and again find something that isn't pink and sparkly with butterflies all over it. Mainly I stick to off brand chuck/van type style shoes or keds are always a good fall back. However, I to have a pair of summery wedges that have a ankle strap when I like to "dress up." Did I mention I'm a notorious jeans and tshirt type of girl?

In pants I can wear anything from a 14 in girls to a 4 in juniors depending on where it came from, how old they are, and the style, etc... because vanity sizing is a witch. I have no muscle mass plus chicken legs run in the family so the legs always seem baggy no matter how tight they fit on others. Usually capri's are a little better about that though. Low rise or hip huggers don't work for me, even if they "fit" I get this weird 2 inch gap between my back and the back of the pants since I hardly have a butt. Shorts... dear Lord, I own one pair that came from walmart that work since actually have leg parts too them, the rest seem to cut off at your butt. With those types since they're meant to sit on your hips and come down about two inches the leg holes are so wide that you can see straight up them on me. Classy. I usually cross my legs Indian style since it's the most comfortable (I used to have hardcore spasms) and during school I plop the bookbag on the footrests so short skirts are out of the question. Especially since I drive cross legged too. Flowly at the knee, past the knee skirts are the only "in style" thing right now that I'm grateful for.

Shirts - does anyone else have the great urge to burn all of these baby doll shirts that are so long that they could be a dress? I'm pretty busty for my size so to fit in the chest area I have to get a size bigger than I'd normally wear which makes a shirt already a little baggy at the waist and then with them being mega long and me sitting down I end up looking preggers. FUN! I've already took a pair of scissors to a few just because I liked the shirt enough to alter the length. Seriously, I should have grown up in the late 80's early 90's where shirts were shorter and almost square.

Also another random fashion, clothes, body image type question: I don't know that injurly level is the cut off for having stomach/ab muscles but does anyone else feel like right after they eat or drink it looks as if they gained about ten pounds? I know that when most people eat a lot they develop a little bit of a pooch until it digests but if I even drink a bottle of water or eat anything bigger than a snack it immediately shows and makes my stomach poke out 20x more than it already does. Grr... lol


Also, other question! Do y'all try clothes on in the store, or buy try on at home then return if it doesn't work?

I totally agree with you on the stomach growth after food or drink. Ive gotton to the point where if im going somewhere i'll try to eat/drink as little as possible so i stay thinnish...
As for the clothes i take them home to try on.

[Terry P]

 sweetie, on 05 September 2007 - 09:46 PM, said:

I wear skirts and boots I have different colours with zips so they are easy to get on. I just cannot pull trousers up I tried when I was in hospital I could not do it,
I do miss shoes but my feet just swell up and go purple after they have been down for ten minutes. I wear special tights so they do not look a pretty sight with shoes.

oh my garsh! finally someone else that doesn't wear pants. When I finally got home from rehab after this first happened to me I had to get rid of every shoe I owned. And I had alot of very cute heels as well as dress shoes. My feet swell so badly I can only order my shoes thru catalogs and they are expensive because of the width. As far as pants--its just to difficult when you self-cath. I told them when I was in rehab that I would never wear pants again and they laughed like I was joking--I wasn't.

[rowena u]

I have problem buying shoes also because I got size 5. I always buy on specialty shop which have those specialty shoes for sale. But my big problem is buying bra. I find it difficult to unclasp from behind. Bra on front clasp is better but not always the case. And wearing dress or skirt is also problem when transferring on wheelchairs.

[Squelen]

The "Wheelie Sexy" is a t-shirt sold here at Apparelyzed's cafe press shop... I have one and it's great fun to wear.... people always find it fun and make comments. (Thank you Simon!)
[/quote]

i want that t shirt! Where's the cafe press shop...i'm struggling to locate it. Is it still available?

[Squelen]

 lune14, on 14 September 2007 - 08:54 PM, said:

 wheeliebear75, on Sep 14 2007, 11:47 AM, said:

Hey Karen I can one up you on the foot size......or is it one down? I wear size 5 or in a dress shoe 5-1/2.LMAO And thanks I'll have to try some of the Sally Hanson nail polish.......gets old having to redo the nails every 48hrs.LOL Hey I saw some really cute shirts that are FOR THE LADIES in chairs. Things like "Wheelie Sexy" written in pink. I saw them at cafepress.com under disability. If ever I get a service dog I want the one that's got a golden retriever service dog on it wearing headphones that reads "service dogs rock". If you're easily offended though......maybe not. There are some that although I and others may think are hilarious would offend someone else, like "Jesus Loves You! (apparently I pissed him off)" sure I can see the humor in it.......but I'm kinda twisted that way.

The "Wheelie Sexy" is a t-shirt sold here at Apparelyzed's cafe press shop... I have one and it's great fun to wear.... people always find it fun and make comments. (Thank you Simon!)

i want that shirt! havin trouble finding cafe press shop tho... is it still available?

[dorkette]

Woo! It's been a long time. Right now I'm kinda addicted to ballet shoes. They normally have a strap across the front to keep it from falling off and since it doesn't have a rubber sole, it doesn't get stuck and/or fall off when I'm transferring in and out of the car which is super amazing for me. (I keep most of my shoes in my car since I hate wearing them and only bother when I'm going somewhere). Tonight one of my friends pointed out that someone is going to think I'm have repressed desires about being a dancer. I'll tell them I used to be a professional ballerina until my mother shot me or I had a bad run in with a bear (those are my two favorite made up reasons of 'what happened to you' though I'm always too nice to be snarky and lie).

I've actually worn more shorts recently than I have in years. If I get a size or two smaller it usually helps with the leg gap problem, though they're still really short... but oh wells. I'll be a hootchie momma. Skirts are a never unless *blush* a boy and thigh highs are involved. I currently own three dresses because I generally think they're a pain. I had a wild hair to wear one the other day to a bbq and three or four people, including my brother, were like 'You're wearing a dress. I don't think I've ever seen you in a dress.' I wear shorts under a dress because of all the transfers and I'm just more comfortable and less conscious that way. Also because I still get dressed on my bed.... my goal for the summer should be how to be a ninja and get dressed in my chair... dresses get all twisted up so I end up getting on of my friends to pull it straight while I'm lifting up in my chair.

Sorry for always leaving novella long posts. Also, love the idea of tieing a ribbon around knees to keep them together.

[Ches]

Dorkette, dresses are a PAIN IN THE ASS to put on in the chair.. especially the longggg dresses. Just a heads up.

[johnjlm2]

I have been searching for clothes for my wife ever since her accident. She was a great dresser and they just don't seem to make clothes for people sitting down. I did find this site http://www.izadaptive.com/ Her clothes are very attractive and designed for someone sitting. As for shoes, well, I miss all the great shoes my wife used to wear. Now she has a bunch of sneakers. I like the idea of hooking the heel onto your foot rest I am going to try that with her.

[Vanessamaee]

I have a problem with my feet and ankles swelling. Im newly injured. Just 2 months ago. but I had been thinking about shows and stuff because I missed this years prom due to my injury but I want to go to next years maybe and Id like to be able to wear nice heels or something (: does the swelling go away? I went from wearing a size 7 1/2 to now a 9 1/2 and a 10 because of pressure and the shoes leaving lines

[Denna]

I know this might be embarrassing on my account but lately the only jeans I have been wearing is maternity jeans. If I have anything tight on like regular jeans it makes me feel sick. And I can only get them to zip up in bed. I have tried larger sizes but they slip down when I transfer. So maternity jeans work wonders for me.
As for shoes I get sick just thinking about going to a shoe store. I can never find any that my foot wants to stay in when I transfer. Also my toes curl so I have to find a shoe that isnt thick so I can feel through the shoe for my toes. So far I have one pair of tennis shoes and two pair of converse. Converse works great but I just get tried of the same shoe.

[ems]

I've not really had that many problems with clothing fitting. My wardrobe consists of mainly dresses and skirts. All but a couple of silk ones, the dresses are jersey viscose or cotton/linen jersey. They are all also an empire cut, but it does get a bit baggy in the front sometimes, but then when your an AB and you wear them it does too.. its not something I really have thought about! Most of my dresses are from a shop called Boden.. most of the dresses are this style.. and I have four jersey dresses from bode this yr oops!



For autumn and winter I hit the skirts/shorter dresses with longer sleeves... like this..



...and wear it with tights ( or er stockings.. cos intact sometimes its easier just to be able to lift your skirt than had to pull your tights down!) and long boots Skirts.. like this.. http://www.whitestuf...-SKIRT-P296690/ This cut looks best on me sitting down.

Today I'm wearing a skirt cut just below the knee, tights and long boots... the boots are adjustable all the way down the side, and I've found my feet don't swell as much wearing boots than they do wearing shoes. So as long as they get put on in the morning.. I'm safe ;)

Personally I prefer wearing a dress. Its one piece of clothing.. easy to get on and off ( when you get jersey ones!) and i just need a cardi to go with it in the summer of rate evening, and in the winter, stockings and boots.. and a card It's easier to use the toilet than wearing trousers, although I do have a few pair of linen pants..



I don't do jeans.. but wide leg, hardly any seams, no pockets simple clean designed linen pants are great for day and evening

[Tetracyclone]

Here are some fabulous heels for girls on wheels. Tubular footrest is a must.

http://www.designboo...-stilettos.html

[xeena]

My Sister bought these shoes, i love shoes but dont do heels anymore, just basic lovely flats, but these i had to try on and they were so worth it.

[Ches]

Looking Good girl!