Dressing for menopause: top tips
Hot flushes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, affecting around 75% of women.
They’re sudden, spontaneous, and can be pretty uncomfortable. Yet, with the right preparation, there’s no need to let hot flushes get in the way of living your life. Key to combating these irritating hot spells is dressing in menopause-friendly clothing.
Layer up
Dressing in layers makes it easy to adapt to those quick, unexpected heat waves. Instead of pullovers, opt for easy-to-remove cardigans with thin camisoles for underneath. As an alternative to heavy winter jackets, choose a quilted gilet that’s easily to layer over jumpers and t-shirts.
Accessories like scarves, gloves and knit hats will also keep you warm in chilly weather, whilst remaining easy to remove should a hot flush creep up out of nowhere. The more you can rely on layers to keep you warm, rather than thick jumpers and overcoats, the more adaptable you can be.
Choose your fabrics wisely
Attention! Put down the waterproof, nylon jacket and step away from that polyester trouser suit. Synthetic fabrics aren’t ideal for anyone, let alone women subject to menopausal hot flushes. Textiles like polyester, nylon, rayon, spandex and acrylic are comprised of man-made fibres that don’t breathe as well as those made of natural fibres. Instead, choose clothing made of breathable fabrics like linen, cotton and denim.
For the summertime, seersucker—a thin, puckered style of cotton—is a particularly menopause-friendly fabric that’s both fashionable and breathable. In the winter, choose loose-knit cardigans made from Merino wool, which is unique it its ability to simultaneously insulate and breathe.
Show some skin
Fortunately, a lot of contemporary fashions happen to work very well for women who are going through menopause. For example, cropped trousers leave an ideal amount of skin exposed at the ankle, making it easy for air to circulate around your legs. Similarly, v-neck t-shirts and three quarter length blouses are good alternatives to polo necks and long sleeves.
Pack practical items in your bag
A handbag has long been a lady’s best friend, and there’s a reason handbags keep getting bigger and bigger. They’re not just a fashion accessory, but a portable closet, office desk and bathroom cabinet all wrapped up in one. Your handbag can also be a reliable repository of relief when a hot flush hits.
Do yourself a favour and buy a bag that’s big enough to store essential hot-flush-combating accessories. Before you leave the house, make sure to throw in a mini hand-held fan, a reusable water bottle (staying hydrated helps you body regulate temperature), a cold gel pack and any prescribed medicine or supplements you use.
Hot flushes may be an inevitable part of menopause, but they don’t have to make your life miserable. Dressing for hot flushes is just one simple way to stay cool in quite an uncool situation.
What are your tips for staying comfortable and stylish during menopause?
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
Latest posts by Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor (see all)
- Warming Soups - November 15, 2024
- What’s your favourite scary film? - October 26, 2024
- Easy Traybakes for National Baking Week - October 14, 2024
- Practical tips for living with arthritis - October 11, 2024
- 10th October is World Mental Health Awareness Day - October 8, 2024
