Lupus style - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Lupus style

Em

Long time lurker, first time poster here. I’m Em. I’m a busy mama of 7 and a bit of a clothes horse. I have an autoimmune disease called Lupus and UV exposure triggers my immune system to attack my body, which is a bit of a PITA, obvs. I’m an hourglass with a smaller bust, tending towards an apple as I’ve aged. I’m 5’4 and 130 lbs. I favor classic, fitted silhouettes belted at the waist with a bit of a biker/punk/goth vibe going on. I wear black, navy, red, and cobalt blue and in very teensy doses, white. Before my lupus diagnosis 5 years ago I wore sundresses and sandals topped with a moto vest all summer long. Now I have to cover up, so I tend to wear sleeveless dresses over leggings with docs or socks and sandals (still trying to figure out how to exactly pull that off), and when I leave the house I throw on a silk scarf, denim jacket, black upf gloves, sunnies, and carry a parasol. I live in a city and walk, bike, and transit everywhere. I have a hard time looking summery when I’m so covered up. At least I can take off layers when I arrive inside. I just acquired a cute white denim jacket and that really helps, but I stained the arm within 3 days of receiving it! I’m going to bleach the stain, I only mention because white is a hard color for me to maintain.
Anyway, I’m looking for tips on how to look summery. I love the Halogen ruched dress Angie posted today, but I’m thinking it would look terrible with leggings because it’s knit and there would be super cling. All my dresses that I pair with leggings are woven. I thought of pairing it with thigh high socks, but that screams fall, no? I’m totally ok with a rule like “no knit dresses for me,” but if there a way to pull it off then Ima go checkout on my other open tab.

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Runcarla

Veteran

Instead of leggings, pair a dress or tunic over pants. I don't know where you live, but Lands' End has a great line of UV protection T-shirts marketed at 'swim T's' that are light weight, cool, and come in a variety of attractive prints and solids. A few fabber's own them and wear them as everyday tops.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Is linen covered up enough for you? I like the idea of linen layers of various kinds. You could pair loose linen trousers with a variety of tops.

Thistle

Veteran

Welcome!

Does linen work for you? It's a fab fabric and looks so pretty in summer.

If not, have you tried some of the UV garments out there? I've seen them from Columbia and the like.

Anonymous

I have Lupus SLE. It definitely is a pita, lol. Sending over all good vibes.
Uniqlo makes cardigans and items impregnated with UV protection.
I also do hats and much sunscreen but often end up with a malar. Like you, I stay fairly covered until inside places. I
do a lot of 3/4 sleeves, rather than short.
For me, too much fluorescent lighting is also a problem.
T shirt dresses are cute with leggings.
I don’t need quite as much coverage as you, because I drive. I think long sundresses are nice options when walking.

Em

These are great ideas! Thank you! I shy away from linen for 2 reasons: seems fussy to deal with wrinkle-wise, and I have short legs so loose pants make me look stumpy. But maybe I could play with the proportions in some way or find a tapered leg pant and just deal with the wrinkles. I’d have to buy an iron.
I will definitely look into the upf clothing. I’ve bought from Coolibar before but find their styles to be a bit dowdy and the cut boxy. Glad to hear there are more options out there!
Jlpp, yes fluorescent lights bother me too! Long sundresses actually sound really nice. I don’t own anything below knee length. I wonder if I could pull off a maxi dress with closed toe shoes like docs. I tend to think they would swim on me because I’m not super tall. But maybe if I belted at the waist and wore fitted jacket? I’ll have to play around with it.
This forum is awesome. Thank you all so much for your replies<3

Anonymous

I think a maxi dress with docs is fab!
Belts and fitted jackets definitely could help, fairly short here too ... 5’4” ... you could try petites or hemming.
Also, if they are less fluid you might not feel like they’re too much.

Helena

Veteran

Hi there and welcome! I have no brilliant ideas but wonder if you might find inspiration looking up 'modest fashion' or similar on Google or Pinterest. I know it's not what you are thinking philosophically, but from a practical standpoint, you might have similar aims to some of the bloggers who post about 'modest' style.
Not sure what your lifestyle is, but another thought is some of the more polished versions of athletic gear (e.g. some of lululemon or similar stores options) - as they will be more breathable, etc. even if more covered.

Just a thought - good luck.

Em

O, that is such a great idea, Torontogirl! If I find an awesome modest style blog I’ll post back here with a link.
I just found a pair of high-waisted joggers that I love love love, so I’m totally open to the whole athleisure trend.

Em

The problem with maxi dresses, besides being swallowed by them, is that I would have to completely change my outfit to bike, I think. Maybe it’s time to jump on the jumpsuit bandwagon!

Anonymous

I was gonna mention joggers, esp in thin fabrics. I wear them a lot. Target has some cute utility ones in a drapey fabric. I got linen blend ones on sale at jcrew, too. Thin bomber jackets are helpful for sun blocking & scarves.
Yeah, that’s why I said walking (I was afraid the maxi dresses could get hung in the bike), although some less voluminous ones might be ok potentially & not get hung.
Jumpsuits are def good & abundant these days. With the high uv index down South, I mostly avoid prolonged periods outdoors, so in my case, that helps. I know you can’t do that when you’re biking/walking a lot.

rachylou

Veteran

I’d probably try that dress with leggings (isn’t that a cool dress?). A silkier pair. Some leggings are more clingy than others.

Greyscale

Veteran

Maxi dress with docs sounds great - go for a 90s grunge vibe. But yeah, hard to bike!

I have a new, mild sun allergy - I get a rash from sun exposure - and I’m sensitive to sunscreens so I’ve put some thought into how to channel my edgy side while covered up this summer. I have a black linen shirt that works well as an outer layer in warm weather, and I wear bandanas around my neck to block sun there. I also try to buy higher neck tops and light jackets with high collars.

Modest fashion is a good idea. Uniqlo has a collab with a Muslim designer - lots of long flowing layers, tunics over wide leg pants. It’s mostly rayon, and I prefer cotton or linen, but Uniqlo is good at synthetics that keep you cool.

3style

Veteran

Some of the linen blends like linen/cotton or linen/rayon are a denser more opaque and sun protective fabric while also not wrinkling if you air dry them.

I also recommend woven UPF synthetic camp shirts or those made from dense weave cotton. I usually have worn those over high neck tank tops that look decent when you get inside and take the outer layer off.

I like jjill (tops, dresses, cardigans, and pants) for higher coverage and more breathable layers than most other brands at a similar price point.

Anonymous

Welcome, Em. I hope that you find some ideas here. I live in high altitude sun-light and need to cover up. Linen is my fabric of choice. Have you tried linen pants? Linen ( unlined if possible) jackets are great. I found an Eileen Fisher one in a classic jean jacket style in white linen recently and am sure that it will get lots of wear. You may prefer black linen.

Like the Season

A couple of thoughts. Some styles of Muk Luks over-the-knee socks look less fall-ish. Not sure how much sun protection they provide.

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/muk.....8?pTmplTyp

Also, skirted leggings could be styled in an edgy way, and they'd be great for biking.

https://www.artfulhome.com/pro.....ngs/109907

I have autoimmune issues, too -- alopecia and Hashimoto's.

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Liesbeth

Veteran

No outfit tips to add, but a fabric tip. Recently many brands have started using modal and tencel made from bamboo fibers. I love those (knit) fabrics and imo they keep you cooler than cotton jersey, kind of like silk but less fussy.

ChrisM

Veteran

Hi, Em -

I prefer to stay very covered and summer is a huge pain. I really like woven cotton tunics called kurtas to get me through the worst of Indiana heat and humidity. I wear them over leggings or lightweight slim pants (white is nice!) and give a boho vibe - maybe not the right style moniker for you, but it’s just an idea. Check out Marketplace: Handwork of India for kurtas and other summery woven cotton clothes.

Also, look at Duluth Trading if you’re in the US - they have some covered styles in fabrics made for working outdoors in the summer.

I am not one who can ignore linen’s wrinkles - I’ve tried more than once and end up feeling sloppy by the end of the day. Kudos to everyone who can!!! (And I’m more than a little jealous since there are so many lovely linen options!)

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I’m wearing lots of wide-legged pants and joggers these days— full leg coverage in lightweight fabrics. Maybe look into maxi dresses too- they seem to come in lots of styles and fabrics this summer.

April

Veteran

Congrats on jumping in, Em!

How humid is it where you are? I find this makes a big difference in summer. Our sticky summers make most synthetics feel unbearable.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I love the idea of skirted leggings for you on the bike! Angie's duster look would work well, too. I have a denim shirtdress I wear open over a column of white or black.

Thanks for posting! Forum-power is real. This group can really help you troubleshoot.

Beth

Hi Em,

I have lupus, too. Florescent lights are particularly bothersome for me so I have to stay covered even while indoors. I agree that it's a big challenge to stay covered while also keeping cool and looking summery. I wear a lot of maxi skirts and dresses in the summer, usually paired with a jean jacket and a big floppy hat. I think that a jumpsuit would create a similar look while also being bike-friendly.

For the great dress featured today, maybe try pairing with some faux leather leggings? That won't cling and will give a a really cool-girl vibe.

Also, be careful with linen, unless it's a blend. The weave on most natural fabrics is looser than on synthetics, so more UV light gets through and you're less protected.

Good luck!

Beth

Also -- I just ordered a cardigan from Uniqlo that has built-in UV protection. They come in lots of colors and seem lightweight. Here's hoping it works out!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A warm welcome from me too. Lovely that you posted.

I second RunCarla’s idea of cropped pants with long assyymetrical tunics and dresses. Very trendy and elegant.