Fashioning Style at Any Age
Think finding attractive, well-fitting clothing is a challenge because you gained a few pounds? Imagine you’ve shrunk in height, stooped over and have no waistline. For the 23 million women in this country who suffer from osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to thin, weaken and break easily, the simple act of getting dressed is a daily ordeal.
Body changes from osteoporosis include loss of as much as 3 inches in height, rounding of shoulders, a larger waist and protruding belly, all of which can make clothes shopping a nightmare. Jackets and blouses pull across the back and shoulders. Collars gape. Shirts and dresses don’t hang properly.
Martha Paszek, director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s New York regional office, says the experience gives a whole new meaning to the old cliche, “I have nothing to wear.”
“Once physical changes are noticeable, the disease strips women of their self-esteem as well as their figures,” Paszek says. “You just can’t buy clothes off the rack. And not being able to find even the most basic clothing, let alone outfits for special occasions, can lead to depression, withdrawal and isolation.”
In the past, many women suffering from the effects of osteoporosis have had clothing specially made or make do with ill-fitting, unstylish wardrobes, although not all women with the disease suffer extensive body changes. To help, the foundation called in the experts at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Together they created Beauty in All Forms, a project designed to raise awareness of the emotional toll of osteoporosis and provide practical solutions.
For the last two years, the program’s centerpiece has been an annual student design competition and fashion show, where women with the disease, ages 50 to 86, model one-of-a-kind creations specially designed for them. The foundation has published “Style Wise: A Fashion Guide for Women With Osteoporosis,” a 27-page booklet for women with osteoporosis and their families.
The booklet includes tips on everything from adapting current wardrobes and making easy-to-do alterations to choosing the right undergarments and using accessories creatively.
“Sometimes simple solutions such as elasticized waistbands, creative yoking or compensating with longer hems in the back can make a huge difference,” says Colette Wong, Fashion Institute assistant professor of fashion design and project director of Beauty in All Forms.
Other style suggestions:
* Wear loose, straight or just slightly fitted clothing, such as A-line dresses, unstructured jackets or dresses with empire or dropped waists.
* Jeweled, rounded, slight V or soft cowl necklines and raglan, dropped or dolman sleeves.
* Accessories, such as long scarves or shawls, draw eyes up and away from shoulder area and highlight your face.
* Shoulder pads can compensate for sloping shoulders.
* Backpacks evenly distribute weight and leave hands free for balance.
* Wear flats or low-heeled comfortable slip-on shoes with rubber soles.
The pain and decreased mobility associated with osteoporosis can make shopping as difficult as finding the right clothes. For those who have difficulty maneuvering department stores or malls, the guide suggests using personal shoppers who can gather selections of items to fit your needs and budget. (In most cases, there is no charge for this service.)
Wong says specifically designed clothing for women over 50 may be the most unrecognized niche in the apparel industry. To fill the gap, the foundation and school are seeking a manufacturer willing to produce a mass-market line of clothing for women with osteoporosis.
“The most important thing to keep in mind is that the desire to be fashionable doesn’t decrease with age,” Wong says.
“Style Wise: A Fashion Guide for Women With Osteoporosis” is available for $1.75 by calling the National Osteoporosis Foundation at (800) 231-4222 or by writing to the foundation at Department SW, P.O. Box 96616, Washington, DC 20077-7456, or at https://www.nof.org.
Distributed by the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service.
