Since June 2018 I’ve had the unfortunate experience of dealing with cancer. I was diagnosed stage IV rectal cancer, which initially spread to my brain, and now my lungs. For the past two years I’ve been in and out of cancer treatment, which makes me feel better prepped for quarantine than most people.
I’ve always maintained that when you look good, you feel good and going through cancer treatment has proven that correct. Whether you’re working from home, recently unemployed, or simply cooped up, I’ve found that throwing on a fresh set of clothes really helps improve my mood and makes me feel ready to be productive, whether that’s sitting on the couch reading a book or getting some work done from the home office.
When I first got diagnosed I immediately splurged on vintage cotton pajamas and matching sets. The vintage PJs cost about as much as sets you’d find at Target and they really helped me feel more put together than when I wore a paint splattered old t-shirt to bed. Taking pride in your outward appearance, no matter if you’re staying in bed all day or out running errands, can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself. For me feeling put together is a confidence boost. It would be easy to dress slovenly (justifiably so) during cancer treatment, but what good would that do me? It’s possible to dress comfortable and feel good about yourself. At the very least, when I was feeling awful at least I felt like myself and could say “Hey, at least I got dressed.” I have a few fashion tips for cancer patients that will help you look good and feel comfortable while you’re going through treatment and beyond.
- Stick with natural fibers. Synthetics tend not to breathe as well and retain odors. I can’t take a proper shower when on a chemo pump (hello, industrial strength baby wipes) so I try to wear a loose fitting top, or at least something that doesn’t fit snug in the armpits.
- Wear bright colors. Whenever I wore cheery hues I found that my mood improved.
- Wear real clothes. Even when I was stuck in the house I tried to not hang out in my pajamas all day, unless I was bed bound. Wearing “real” clothes made me feel human and motivated me to do something at least a little productive, such as read a book or write.
- If you can’t wear “real” clothes consider upgrading your pajamas. I like matching sets and Etsy has vintage pajamas that will lift your spirits. Be sure to search for PJs in nature fabrics, such as cotton. How in the heck did women sleep in nylon back in the day?
- Be comfortable. Now is not the time to wear tight fitting jeans or a bra that pinches. I swapped out my underwire bras for bralettes, especially on the days I had to do chemo.