Getting dressed is something most of us do without thinking about it. But when arthritis affects your hands, fingers, wrists, shoulders, hips, knees, or feet, everyday tasks such as fastening buttons, pulling on socks, or tying shoes can become surprisingly difficult.
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The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to change your entire wardrobe. Small changes to the way you dress, the clothes you choose, and the tools you use can reduce painful gripping, bending, twisting, and reaching.
The goal isn’t to make dressing completely different. It’s to remove the movements that cause you the most difficulty.
How Arthritis Can Make Getting Dressed Difficult
Arthritis can affect dressing in several different ways. Stiff or painful finger joints can make small buttons, zippers, and shoelaces difficult to manipulate. Wrist or hand pain can make pulling clothing into position uncomfortable, while shoulder or hip problems can make reaching behind your back or bending toward your feet more difficult.
Morning stiffness can make the process even harder.
Rather than forcing yourself through those movements, look for ways to make them unnecessary. An easier fastener, a long-handled dressing aid, or simply sitting down while getting dressed can sometimes make a noticeable difference.
Start With the Part of Dressing That Causes the Most Trouble
You don’t need to buy a collection of specialized dressing aids. Start by identifying the specific movement that gives you the most trouble.
- If buttons are difficult: A button hook can make fastening shirts easier without requiring as much finger dexterity.
- If zippers are difficult: A zipper pull or larger zipper tab can give you something easier to grasp.
- If putting on shoes requires too much bending: A long-handled shoehorn can help you put on footwear while remaining seated.
- If socks are difficult to pull on: A sock aid can reduce the amount of bending and hand manipulation required.
- If reaching behind your back is painful: Consider front-opening clothing or garments designed with easier closures.
- If tying shoelaces is frustrating: No-tie elastic laces or slip-on footwear can eliminate the need to tie and untie shoes.
This approach can save both money and frustration because you’re choosing an aid for a specific problem rather than buying gadgets you may never use.
Choose Clothing That Requires Less Effort
The easiest clothing to manage with arthritis is generally clothing that doesn’t require a lot of gripping, pinching, twisting, or precise finger movements.
Stretch fabrics can make clothing easier to pull on and adjust. Elastic waistbands can eliminate buttons, snaps, and zippers, while pull-on tops and pants may be easier on days when your hands are particularly stiff.
You may also find that clothing with larger openings is easier to manage. A slightly looser sleeve, wider neckline, or roomier pant leg can make getting dressed easier without requiring you to pull and tug as much.
You don’t have to replace your entire wardrobe. Start with the clothes you wear most often and look for easier alternatives when something repeatedly causes difficulty. For a deeper look at closures, fabrics, and buying decisions, see our guide to adaptive clothing for arthritis.
Make Buttons and Zippers Easier to Manage
Small fasteners can be one of the most frustrating parts of getting dressed with hand arthritis.
A button hook gives you a larger handle to work with and can reduce the amount of pinching required to pull a button through its opening. This can be particularly useful when your fingers are stiff or painful.
Zippers can be made easier by adding a larger pull. A simple zipper pull attachment gives you something larger to grasp than the small metal tab that comes with many garments.
When buying new clothing, consider whether you actually need complicated fasteners. Pull-on garments, magnetic closures, Velcro-style closures, and larger zipper pulls may be easier choices.
Sit Down While Getting Dressed
Standing isn’t always the easiest or safest way to get dressed when arthritis affects your knees, hips, feet, or balance.
A sturdy chair can give you a stable place to sit while putting on pants, socks, or shoes. Sitting can also reduce the amount of bending and balancing required.
Keep the chair somewhere convenient and use it as part of your normal dressing routine rather than treating it as something you only need on particularly difficult days. If you need additional support when standing or transferring, make sure the furniture you use is stable and appropriate for the task.
Make Shoes Easier to Put On and Take Off
Shoes can create several problems at once: bending toward your feet, pulling the heel into position, manipulating shoelaces, and dealing with swelling or stiffness.
A long-handled shoehorn can help you put on shoes without reaching all the way down to your feet. No-tie elastic laces can turn traditional lace-up shoes into easier slip-on footwear while still allowing you to keep the shoes securely fastened.
Slip-on shoes can also be convenient, particularly on days when bending and hand movement are difficult. If your feet become swollen or uncomfortable, look for footwear with an adjustable or roomy fit rather than choosing shoes that feel tight.
Use Dressing Aids When They Solve a Real Problem
Dressing aids can be useful, but you don’t need every tool available.
A dressing stick can help pull clothing into position or retrieve garments without excessive reaching. A sock aid can make putting on socks easier when bending toward your feet is difficult. A button hook can help with small fasteners, while a long-handled shoehorn can make putting on shoes much easier.
The right tool depends on the movement you are trying to avoid. If you can perform a task comfortably without an aid, there is no reason to add another gadget to your routine. But if the same movement causes pain or frustration every day, a simple dressing aid may be well worth considering.
Organize Your Clothes for Easier Access
Sometimes the problem isn’t the clothing itself. It’s where you keep it.
Store frequently worn clothing somewhere that doesn’t require you to reach high above your shoulders or bend down to the floor. Keep everyday items in an easily accessible part of your closet or dresser.
You can also organize clothing by complete outfits. Keeping a shirt, pants, socks, and other frequently used items together can reduce the amount of searching and reaching required each morning. If getting dressed is particularly difficult on some days, having a few comfortable, easy-to-wear outfits ready to go can make those mornings much simpler.
Prepare for Stiff Mornings
If your joints are particularly stiff when you wake up, give yourself extra time rather than rushing through the process.
Some people find that a warm shower or other comfortable warming routine helps them loosen up before getting dressed. Gentle movement can also help you transition into your normal activities.
The important thing is not to force painful movements. If a particular motion repeatedly causes significant pain, look for a different way to accomplish the task.
Create a “Difficult Day” Wardrobe
Your best outfit isn’t always the best outfit for an arthritis flare-up or particularly stiff day.
Keep a few comfortable options available that require minimal effort to put on. Pull-on pants, loose-fitting tops, soft fabrics, elastic waistbands, and easy-to-wear shoes can all be useful when your hands or other joints aren’t cooperating.
Think of these clothes as your low-effort wardrobe. Having them ready means you don’t have to make decisions or struggle with complicated clothing when you’re already uncomfortable.
Don’t Forget About Your Dressing Environment
The area where you get dressed can make a difference too.
Make sure there is enough lighting to see buttons, zippers, and other fasteners clearly. Keep commonly used clothing within easy reach and remove clutter from the floor around your dressing area.
If you sit down to dress, use a sturdy chair rather than an unstable stool or piece of furniture. A comfortable, organized dressing area can reduce unnecessary reaching, bending, and rushing.
When Adaptive Clothing May Be Worth Considering
Dressing aids aren’t always enough. If ordinary clothing continues to be difficult to put on or take off, adaptive clothing may be worth exploring.
Adaptive clothing can include features such as magnetic closures, Velcro-style fasteners, side openings, elastic waistbands, larger openings, and designs that make dressing easier for people with limited mobility or dexterity.
You don’t necessarily need adaptive clothing for every part of your wardrobe. A few carefully chosen garments may be enough to make a meaningful difference. For a more detailed look at adaptive garments and what to look for when buying them, see our guide to adaptive clothing for arthritis.
Final Thoughts: Make Dressing Work for You
Getting dressed with arthritis doesn’t have to mean struggling through painful movements every morning.
Start by identifying the part of dressing that causes the most difficulty. Then look for a simpler clothing choice, a dressing aid, or a change in your routine that removes that movement.
A button hook can eliminate difficult pinching. A long-handled shoehorn can reduce bending. Elastic laces can eliminate tying. A sturdy chair can make dressing more comfortable and stable.
You don’t need to redesign your entire wardrobe. Start with one problem, find one solution, and build from there. Your clothes should make daily life easier — not add another obstacle to it.
Related Reading
- Adaptive Clothing for Arthritis: A Buyer’s Guide
- Personal Care Tools for Arthritis: When You Can’t Grip or Reach
- How to Choose Arthritis Assistive Devices
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor, rheumatologist, or occupational therapist before making changes to how you manage your arthritis.
