While Parkinson’s might affect your sense of taste, one sense that shouldn’t have to suffer is your taste in fashion. Even though comfort is an important consideration in Parkinson’s, you can still enjoy indulging in your own personal style. After all, life with Parkinson’s does not mean that style and fashionability go out of the window.
With the help of a caregiver, it can be a lot easier to dress and wear accessories that make you feel good, regardless of the severity of your condition. Here are some great ideas to be fashionable, even with Parkinson’s.
1. Start from inner wear
Someone said it right – ill-fitting undergarments can negatively impact your dressing style. Sadly, in Parkinson’s, you may be forced to opt for a bigger size for ease of use. Instead, opt for easy to wear innerwear of your size.
Nylon innerwear can help with sliding clothing up and down. This will help you spend less time (and less sweat) while getting dressed. Choose a Front Open Bra that is designed to slip on and off with ease. Bras with snaps or VELCRO will be the best choice for Parkinson’s fighters with lowered hand dexterity.
2. Choose the right fabric
While shopping, choose fabrics that can be washed easily and looks nice without ironing. This will make you less dependent on your caregiver each time you step out of your home. Fabrics that resist shrinkage in everyday washing are polyester or a combination of polyester and cotton. Garment that is 50% polyester and 50% cotton or 65% polyester and 35% cotton blend will not require ironing and have a low shrinkage factor.
3. Go for adaptive clothing
Be tasteful, yet careful while buying new clothes. Lack of finger dexterity and tremors in Parkinson’s make buttons, ties and zippers a challenge. Garments that have large zipper, front fold-down panel, adjustable closures, elastic waist and side pockets should be your picks. Also, clothes with magnetized ‘buttons’ simply cling together and make wearing your favorite colors easier. You should always go for:
- Cardigans with snap back dome closures
- Dresses and tops that are open at the back with large flaps
- Pants that close at the sides using VELCRO fasteners
- Socks with pull tabs
- Shoes and slippers with VELCRO closures (with non-slip soles, of course)
4. Get your clothes altered
Adaptive clothing may not always have your favorite colors and style. Worry not! You can have your favorite garments altered for easier use. Ask your caregiver to go to a boutique and get your clothes Parkinson’s friendly by replacing small buttons and those hard to manipulate zippers with VELCRO, elastic waistbands, large zippers and magnets.
Get your jeans converted into Open Side Jeans. Get the skirt converted into Magnetic Closure Wrap Skirt that simply wraps around and closes with hidden magnets or a simple and secure hook (may be).
Knit Open Side Pants or Slacks offer comfort and convenience to anyone with limited mobility. Get your pants done with adjustable straps. Hook and Loop fastener on both sides of the waistband will allow for adjustable, struggle free dressing.
5. Complement your look
If you love to accessorize, look for longer necklaces without closures. These can be simply lowered over your head and are available in all kinds of colors and beads that coordinate with your outfit. Adding scarves (easy add-ons) of your choice can deck up the look further.
Look for earrings that have closed hooks. They are easy to wear and can safely be left unhooked for days or weeks at times. Buy a good pair of closed-hook earrings made of gold or stainless steel as they won’t tarnish, rub off or irritate your skin.
This Blog is contributed by Dr. Deepak Kr. Nain. He is a certified therapist who specializes in the field of rehabilitation. Deepak possesses a clinical expertise in prescribing the best solutions to help people with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).