Fashion w/ Orthotics - YouLookFab Forum

Hi!

I would like your quick advice on something! I have Cerebral Palsy, and wear an AFO Brace on my left leg, and walk with a cane for stability. I have found that I am having to wear yoga pants (which I have fallen in love with, by the way) almost everyday due to the fact that they are not only extremely comfortable, but I am able to wear my AFO more comfortably due to the fact that the moisture wicking material they are made of does not let my leg sweat as much as if I wear regular socks with jeans (I'm not a shorts person, so I don't own any).

My question is how do I "dress up" my yoga pants for everyday wear?

I have had to give up most of my cute shoes (I own a few pairs for special occasions when I do not need to wear my AFO, but that's a rarity these days), so I've had to go to Skechers Burst (I'm still on the hunt for cute pair to wear with my skirts and dresses). I'm only ever able to wear Skechers shoes when wearing the brace, because they fit nicely with the brace and are comfortable. Is there a way I'm able to wear my Skechers with my dresses and skirts without it looking too funky?

Also, since I have to wear a tall sock on my left leg with the AFO Brace, do you have a suggestion for cute ones that are not too hot in the summer, also how do I wear the other sock without it making my leg sweat? Would I be able to wear a different sock or roll the other sock down without it looking to funny?

I truly appreciate the help!

Thanks,
Kathleen

8 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Kathleen, this is a difficult set of issues to dress around, but where there's a will there's a way, and I admire your will! It sounds like your yoga pants and Skechers are serving you well.
I think it would be okay to wear the sock you need for the brace on the one leg and to go sockless (or wear a no-show sock) on the other, if it's more comfortable. I don't think both legs have to have the same sock, given that the tall sock will look like part of the whole brace deal. (It's clear that you wouldn't want to be wearing the brace against bare skin.)
I also wonder about whether you might be able to try wide-legged linen pants, which could accommodate the brace, look stylish, and be cool in summer.
With skirts and dresses, if you are wearing a kind of sporty or casual style, the Skechers will fit in nicely. Think of them as street sneakers, which go with lots of things these days. If you are wearing something dressier and those are the shoes that work for you, wear them. People seeing a brace and cane will give you a bit of a fashion pass on footwear!

Greyscale

I think some of it depends on your personal style preferences. Are you into cute or quirky things, for instance? There are a lot of quirky knee socks (and I think wearing a different sock under the brace vs on your other leg is fine). Are you more of a refined, elegant type? Or a jeans and tee sort of gal? Etc.

Does the brace go over or under your yoga pants? There are a lot of athleisure pants that might work, like woven or knit joggers made of light, wicking fabrics. The Gap and Athleta (the Gap's athletic wear spinoff) have some interesting options.

http://www.gap.com/browse/cate.....rtment=136

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/.....8;sop=true

I could only wear Skechers and similar shoes while recovering from a foot injury, and I'm trying to remember what other styles worked for me. It would be fun if you could find one pair of slightly less casual shoes to go along with the Skechers. Or maybe of the non-sneaker Skechers like mary janes. Do you need the ankle support and sneaker-like sole for stability? I got a lot of good suggestions from this blog:
https://www.barkingdogshoes.com/
although I admit I had some expensive failures...

Anyway, your yoga pants and Skechers are great solutions, so you don't necessarily need to try other things. I think you definitely can wear them with nicer outfits and it'll be fine! But if you're looking for options, there might be a lot out there.

The Cat

Glad to see that you have received advice from others. I have no personal tips to add, but I remember having read some articles which may be of interest to you. The first one is about dressing when you have had a knee operation, and the second one is about making athleisure pants looking more stylish. Though these articles are not specificly about the challenges of dressing up when wearing a cane and walking with a brace, I hope you will find at least some of the tips useful or inspirational. Here are the links:

https://insideoutstyleblog.com.....ation.html

http://bridgetteraes.com/2017/.....ure-pants/

Staysfit

My mom had Polio as a child, and uses a similar brace. She also finds she can wear some Merrill shoes comfortably with her brace. She has the added obstacle of a very narrow foot. In any case, she buys socks from Travel smith. They are long, thin, breathe, and are cool in the summer, but still protect her leg from the brace. I'm not sure which ones they are if there is more than one choice. Good luck!

Sal

Welcome to the forum! I think yoga pants can look stylish especially in a thick fabric. I also think Skechers look fine with skirts or dresses- especially looser styles.

Do you need some width in the calf area for pants to fit over the brace? I wonder if soft harem pants would work too? Or gaucho style culottes?

See you around:)

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