I just want to extend my heartfelt well wishes to all who suffer, and admire all who manage to maintain a healthy outlook on life and on dressing as nicely as possible given the circumstances. I also think it's great that we have this forum to share advice and tips on where to find stylish yet comfortable clothing and shoes, and to hold one another up when pain seems to get the upper hand.

Because of all the previous answers, and because I've talked about it so much already, I will just add one:

Because I'm in gym shoes most of the time I have this thing about pant legs being trouser, boot cut, or wide leg, and full length. I just have this feeling that at least they will cover up and partially hide my shoes a little that way! Of course they are still obvious, but how about gym shoes and ankle pants...or tapered hems that can't spread out over the shoes...even worse!

So I will never be part of of the cropped pant trend. Oh well.

I truly appreciate this thread. I never would have guessed that so many of you fab ladies are dressing around said conditions. I often feel resentful that I must dress around my conditions and short changed that I can't wear all the fab things I want to wear. It's comforting to know I am not alone.

The worst for me has been shingles. I could not wear a bra because of the pain and location of the shingles but have known of women that found it too painful to wear clothes. Not wearing a bra affects the fit of all your tops and dresses. Luckily my shingles pain eventually went away but some are not so lucky.

I hear you about the shingles, Joy! I had that about 6 years ago, and it had to be the absolute worst experience of my life. I saw my doctor right when the rash started, and she prescribed a medicine to shorten the severity and duration of the illness. Even with that, it was still really bad. So much so that I got a shingles vaccine this year to keep from getting it again. And yes, it's possible to get it more than once, so get the vaccine if you can. Mine was covered by insurance due to the risk I incur from another outbreak. I already take Gapapentin on a daily basis for chronic nerve pain, so if I get shingles again, there won't be a way to control the additional pain.

Not to go too far off topic, BettyCrocker - my husband had shingles once and I him be SO miserable because of it! You should be able to take something else though. Unless it is because the dose of gabapentin you take is so high already that there are concerns of losing coherence (my husband also takes it) have you tried something like tramadol? I'd ask your Dr about alternatives, there are lots of there

Thanks. Tramadol doesn't work for me. Have already tried it in several different doses. Getting the shingles vaccine was, IMO, the best way to keep that beastly virus from coming back. My pain is barely managed with the meds I take now, but at least I'm not taking any narcotics. Tramadol is actually now on my state's list of controlled substances, btw, so it's getting increasingly difficult to obtain pain meds. I told my DH that if it gets too bad, I'll just smoke weed or something. I've never smoked weed in my entire life, but I would do it if that's the only way I had to manage pain.

Jumping back on the subject now, I am very thankful there are at least a few stylish options for those of us who need comfortable clothing. I was sitting in the doctor's office with my DD yesterday afternoon, looking at some old ladies in the waiting room and thinking how glad I am I don't yet have to dress like they do. There are comfortable pants that don't look like polyester Bendovers that, btw, seem to be sold to older women in lengths way too short for them. Don't get me started on PPL, because it seems to be a problem here with most women.

I definitely have an issue with heels, I can't wear them for long before my feet begin to hurt like hell. So I'm wearing flats only and I don't have a problem with it. I rather like the look actually, even with skirts and dresses. I also have wide feet and have in the past worn shoes that I probably shouldn't have bought. I've decided a few months ago that in future I'm going to get only shoes that fit perfectly, even if that means I can't shop fashion brands and have to spend more on shoes. I also have problematic skin (neurodermatitis which flares up under stress) and I prefer my clothes to be breathable.

Deb, thank you for sharing your story. I'm so sorry you've been through all of this. I second tr3kkie9rl: your attitude is so inspiring. You made me think of a friend in college who had to use a crutch daily. She was also the most elegant from head to toe of any of us. When I thought of her, I never thought of the crutch--I thought of how stylish and smart she was.

Joy and bettycrocker: Shingles!!! I've also had it!!!! It was a few years ago, when I was breastfeeding of all times! The pain felt like someone was pressing a burning cigar inside of my flesh. I also took the antiviral, which cut it short, so I only had a small sore on the skin surface, but what hurt the most was the nerve pain inside. Weirdly, sometimes I get a similar nerve pain again if my immunity is down (if I am battling another virus, for instance), but I haven't had another flare-out.

Re: breastfeeding. While not an ailment, it was certainly a body condition that severely limited my wardrobe choices. I had a tendency to get terrible plugged ducts (well, that's an ailment) and could only wear big loose sports bras with wide straps. I've never felt so un-stylish! (Though I would do it all over if I had to, of course.)

And jackiec: Glad I'm not alone on the digestive issues! People who don't have them don't understand.

I am so sorry so many of you have chronic pain issues! I had them for >30 years, but now have some medication that controls. I have always resisted letting them interfere with my clothing choices -- e.g., I was more comfortable in heels than flats before I had surgery for sciatica. But sometimes there's just no way to prevail. I am absolutely in love with beautiful wools, especially Donegal tweeds, but they itch too much now, and even cashmere is bothersome. Ah, well, that should be my biggest problem! Seriously, I have a lot of sympathy for everybody who suffers! The clothing component just makes the misery worse.

K.M., re breastfeeding. A great joy and a wonderful child, and I'd never disavow. But I hated the big boobs.

old chic, I loved having big boobs!!!! Though I felt I couldn't quite enjoy them in terms of fashion choices because of my plug/bra issues. I miss that part though. They are much smaller now than they were before breastfeeding.

(PS But breastfeeding itself was wonderful)