Self Style council From pull-on tops to fiddly buttons and unwieldy belts, getting dressed can be a daily struggle when you live with arthritis. Follow our tips on how to make dressing easier, plus stylish wardrobe essentials that tick the boxes for both comfort and style WORDS: LOUISE PARFITT H ow we dress can be key to our identity its part of how we choose to present ourselves to the outside world. Clothes can make us feel good, boost our confidence and improve our mood. But when you are faced with a daily struggle to get dressed, you can be left feeling frustrated, angry and isolated. Katie Ellis is the founder of accessible clothing company The Able Label. She says that enabling people to dress themselves allows them to stay independent, and also helps to build confidence. Customers have said to us that they dont go out any more because they worry that when it comes to leaving, they wont be able to put their coat back on. Something like that shouldnt be holding people back, so we offer alternatives to help them, she explains. It is also about keeping your identity and personality. When you put your favourite outfit on, it lifts you and affects your whole psyche. By replacing buttons with touch closures, such as Velcro, and changing designs to be frontopening, clothes become accessible again. The Able Label has sourced a robust Velcro to ensure that fastenings are strong and last as long as the garment. The company also uses fabrics such as jersey, viscose and elastane, which are stretchy and prevent the wearer having to squeeze into them. It takes just a few simple adaptations to wardrobe essentials to make them accessible to all, but they can transform lives. A lot of our customers tell us that dressing used to be a nightmare and they ended up sitting in their nightie all day, explains Jemma Dunn, managing director at Adaptawear. Now, they are able get on with their lives. Getting closure Pulling on a top over your head can be impossible, especially if you have arthritis in your shoulders. Wraparound styles are a great alternative, and shirts and blouses can also be easier to take on and off. Look for items with touch closures, such as Adaptawears magnetic shirt for men, or The Able Labels Velcro closure blouses for women. Its a wrap! Dresses and skirts in front-opening and wraparound styles are a lot easier to put on. Theyre safer, too, because you dont have to bend down to take them on and off. Again, go for Velcro or magnetic fastenings, rather than buttons or zips. You wear the trousers For women, leggings are more manageable than tights, and give much-needed warmth in springtime when paired with long tops or dresses. If jeans are uncomfortable for you, then jeggings are a great option. For men, elasticated-waist trousers are easier to put on than trousers with tricky zips and buttons. Marks & Spencer has several options available, including chinos for men and cotton-rich joggers for women, both of which look smart, but are soft and easy to move around in. Adaptawears mens cords are great for spring, while the cotton trousers help keep you cool when the temperature starts to rise. Theres also a style of trouser that opens on both sides past the hips to make it easier to take them on and off. Brilliant bras Bras are one of the trickiest items to deal with. Front-opening styles are easier and are sold by many high street retailers. Adaptawear stocks bras with popper fastenings or large flat hooks, while The Able Label also offers a version with Velcro closures. Over the top If you have restricted shoulder mobility, putting on a coat can be a real struggle. Capes and ponchos offer a good alternative because they do not have tricky armholes check out Adaptawears fleecy cape, 15. If you are looking for a coat, choose one with a slippery lining so its easier to pull on and slide off, such as The Able Labels Marilyn Wool Blend Coat, 130. From head to toe Accessories are great for dressing up an outfit, and helping you feel special. The Able Label offers jewellery with magnetic clasps that are less fiddly than traditional clasps to fasten, while Adaptawear has a range of accessories for men, such as clip-on ties and belts. If you have a problem finding shoes, check out Cosyfeets range of stylish spring footwear, which offers extra support for people with swollen or painful feet. Young lives Marks & Spencer has a new Adapted Easy Dressing range designed especially for children aged up to 16. Developed alongside parents and paediatricians, the clothes are made from the softest materials, with hidden care labels and easy fastenings. Top tips Top tips VAT-FREE You may be able to claim VAT exemption (a 20 per cent discount) on clothing and footwear if it has been designed for use by a person with a long-term health condition, such as arthritis. All you need to do is sign a declaration at the point of purchase, saying the item is going to be used by a person with arthritis. The Able Label, Cosy Feet and Adaptawear have more information on their websites. You can also find out more at gov.uk/financial-helpdisabled/vat-relief or call 0300 200 3700. TIPS FOR DRESSING Dress in a seated position, as this improves your balance, and, if possible, in front of a mirror Use dressing aids to help, such as long-handle shoe horns and reacher sticks Lay items out before dressing into them. For example, lay a coat open in a chair, sit down in the chair and dress into it. The chair will help to keep the coat open. USEFUL CONTACTS theablelabel.com 01622 744242 marksandspencer.com 0333 014 8000 adaptawear.com 0800 051 1931 cosyfeet.com 01458 447275 springchicken.co.uk 01865 339366