Help with dressing for my mother-in-law.

Hi All! I'm often reading through, but rarely post, but when I do, I get lots of great advice. So I'm here for some help.

My mother in law is in her early 80's and is a plus size. She is also rather tall and has an exceptionally long rise. She prefers cotton tops because she perspires a lot and synthetics are warm and uncomfortable. I would like to take her shopping, but she is rather immobile and we would have to go to one store that is smaller (like Penningtons). Also, I am in Canada. I can order online as long as I can return the items because chances are that this daughter-in-law won't get it right the first time! lol

She would like:

1. Pants. Preferably in black, chocolate or navy. They have to wash well though hanging to dry is fine. These can be in other fabrics besides cotton. They have to have a long rise, but not long in the leg (her height is in her torso and upper body, not her legs). She would be a size 20 or so.

2. Tops. She prefers cotton and in a print. She would be an xxl or so. She does not like a tunic style, though most of the time her tops are too short on her especially in cotton, if they shrink.

Finally, she likes to look chic and put together. I feel badly because I am at a loss as to where to look.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What mobility/dexterity issues does she have? If you search the ylf archive, you’ll find a couple of brands referred to repeatedly, because they feature closures that are easier for stiff fingers, styles that are easier to pull on and off, and the like. (I’m on my phone or I’d search for you).

madeline

I would look at Lands End for the pants.
They have a variety of sizes and lengths.
Lots of elastic waist and soft fabrics.
They do ship to Canada. You might find some nice tops too.

Bijou

My mother was in a wheelchair and it really helped to buy clothes at least 1 size too big to make getting dressed easier. I would avoid any clothing that cannot be easily laundered, I know that this was a big issue for my mother's carers who liked her to have clothing that they could wash in large machines. For all knitwear, jackets, and in summer dressy tops I would do a monthly dry cleaning run for her so toppers were her luxe items and we made sure they were fabulous!

missvee

Try LL Bean. They have a Canadian website with free shipping over $75.00, and there are a few brick and mortar stores in Canada. My SIL recently ordered their soft cord pants for MIL, and she loved them. I had a quick look at the website, and there seems to be a decent selection of plus sizes.
There’s also Power of my People, a Vancouver based business which sells beautiful quality shirts in linen and cotton. Sizes go up to 3x I think. I have one of their linen shirts and it’s excellent.

Eliza

Second the Lands End suggestion. They have a range of sizes and durable pull-on straight leg pants that almost pass as trousers if the wearer doesn’t tuck. They alter their color palettes regularly and usually have coordinated tops available. Relied on them for many outfits for our seniors. Talbots also had a range of sizes available last I knew; not sure how that would work for Canada. Macy’s carries Karen Scott clothing; no experience with it, but line looks reasonably priced and comfortable in ways that particularly matter to seniors.

My tips as a ‘senior shopper’:
Elastic waists are best when mobility is impaired
Some brands’ cropped pants or plus sized petites allowed for pants that were long enough without being a tripping hazard.
Helpful to have necks that are wide enough for easy on-off, but allow for coverage. Shallow Vs and boat necks were generally good.
Your MiL is fortunate to have your help. Sometimes, I’d use any available catalog to get ideas from the seniors, other times there was trial and error. Best with it.

Barbara Diane

I know nothing about shopping in Canada, but it is often easier to find fall/winter cotton clothing at the Talbots Outlet than at Talbots, as most fall/winter tops at regular Talbots have wool or cashmere in them.

It also might be useful y to order from catalogs that aren’t necessarily connected to stores. Sometimes they have more cotton items.

marija

Active Member

You are amazing.
Thank you very very much.
At least I have a start!

Aquamarine

Agreeing with Lands End, especially for pants. They have different inseams, leg widths, and plenty of elastic waists…lots of choices. Just successfully ordered three pairs for my 86-year-old mother and she was thrilled.

Helena

If you want to shop in person, you might try Reitmans? They have lots of size diversity, and although they are not to best for natural fibres, I've had some luck with some Lenzing fabrics there recently, which are very breathable and soft.

Sometimes I think cotton in interesting prints can be hard to find (excepting stripes) ... would she consider a solid top with a print scarf to add the interest? This might help 'finish' her outfits too. Just a thought

Thanks Everyone!

Yes, I took her to Reitman's/Pennington's. The rise is just wrong there and the fabrics are too stiff. But personally, as a very tall woman, I get all of my pants there! I love them!

The idea of the scarf is great, if she didn't perspire so much! She would never wear a scarf. And yes, nice prints are brutal to find!

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