When you have fibromyalgia, sometimes it hurts just to wear clothes. Many of us have to re-think the way we dress and do a lot of experimenting to find out what works.
My article How to Dress for Less Fibromyalgia Pain has some tips for getting started, and the Readers Respond at the end of that article has generated a ton of great comments on how different people dress to alleviate clothing pain.
Below, you'll find some of the best advice left there. Some comments may contradict others, which goes to show that what works for some may not work for all. Each of us just has to try different things to see what works for us.
Bras
"I buy the pure cotton camis at the Gap and 'Boobies' stick-ons to wear underneath for modesty. In the winter this works underneath a long tee with cotton leggings and a tunic for going out. For dress up, I have used the Brallelujah by Spanx but would recommend buying a size larger than normal." -carogirl1122
"I stopped wearing bras a couple of years ago, but because I am well endowed, everything was going east, south, west. Then I found the Genie bra advert on TV so I bought a pack and they are fantastic." -Daisy
"A couple of us who have severe clothing problems have been happy with the Ahhh Bra. It is very stretchy but works for large busted people too. It is light weight but control is knit in." -marilynbloom
"Years ago I went to wearing just a ribbed undershirt instead of a bra." -janyjo
Footwear
"Aside from bras my worst culprit was always the socks, so I found a good, cheap brand of slipper socks that are the right length for me. I bought them in every color I could find and I practically live in them." -Lorna
"Polar fleece socks are awesome. " -Spring
"Diabetic socks are a must!" -overandoutsally
"As a teacher, I am on my feet all day long. Dress shoes are out of the question, so I wear black sneakers with gel inserts." -Marc
"Since shoes hurt and so does walking without them, I got slipper like boots and use gel inserts." -Robbie
Waistbands
" The "pajama jeans" are GREAT. They fit good and are really comfortable with no binding. Hope you find them to be as great for you as they are for me." -jabawi66
"I too, love pajama jeans! I have several lose knit dresses that are just 'shifts' and I wear soft knit leggings, bought in a larger size, so as to not irritate my waist." -Robbie
"I do buy only bikini underpants in cotton with soft edges and loose elastic in a size larger than I need." -Beachy Woman
"I bought those spaghetti strap tank tops with the stretchy (yet fitted) material that is meant to smooth out your muffin top, tummy, etc., so your T shirts, etc., look better. Well, I thought I was crazy, but I started getting the WORST pain on my left side. It feels like a runner's cramp, only higher up my spine, toward the left center. Ladies, if you're wearing these, pitch them or only wear them if you're going out for a few hours. I'm not THAT overweight & I bought the correct size, so I know it's "the squeeze" that is putting undo pressure on my nerves & spine." -Hurdy Likhell
"I would not normally brand-name-drop, but I have only found this clothing type in one brand, sold at one store. They are only available as a summer seasonal item, and tend to sell out fast. They are Gilligan & O'Malley® Modal Pajama Shorts / Pants available only at Target stores. The fabric itself does not hurt. The waistband is magical! It's just more soft fabric, attached in a fold-over, wrap-style so that it stays up without additional elastic." -silliest
"I have found that the trousers with the expandable waistbands when worn with suspenders work well for me. Elastic belts work also." -Fred
"Hagger and St. John's Bay have work pants that have hidden elastic tabs that stretche as you move. My Husband loves them!" -Elliot
General Sensitivity
"I wear the softest, loosest fabrics. I can't wear flannel anymore because it's too much. I have taken to wearing kaftans made with 100% rayon/viscose fabric. It's the only thing besides nylon (until it pills, ugh) and all cotton." -Guest Naja Post
"I tend to go to the men's department for the shirts cuz they are more roomy." -elmomom
"I've found that looser is not always better. For me, loose clothing rubs on my skin which also hurts. In my opinion it's the material that maters more. And there are a lot of new fabric blends out there that are unbelievably soft." -DebJ2005
"I turn clothes inside out when I'm at home, to get the seams and stitching off my skin." -Dora
"I have no tags in any of my clothes. Wearing a tag is like having poison ivy or thistle stuck to my skin." -overandoutsally
More Help
To read more comments like these, see Readers Respond: Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain From Clothes.
Have a tip you'd like to pass along? Share What Works for You!
