Tips for Buying Clothing for Elderly Men

If you’re looking for gift ideas for your dad, then clothing for elderly men is probably one of the first suggestions that you came across. While clothing is a practical gift, it’s also a very personal one, so you want to keep some guidelines in mind when buying garments for senior women.

Prioritize comfort and function …

Life is too short to dress in uncomfortable clothes at any age, but comfort is of particular importance to older adults who may be dealing with health ailments and other issues that contribute to discomfort. Look for soft, sensory-friendly fabrics and avoid tight or constricting garments that may impede circulation. Features such as elastic waists make it easy to get undressed quickly and also accommodate small fluctuations in weight.

Don’t give up on style!

That being said, you don’t have to give up on looking fashionable when shopping for elderly men/women. There are plenty of clothing options for elderly men that look trendy yet timeless instead of frumpy and outdated. In fact, you can even find adaptive clothing for both men and women that looks exactly like “regular” clothing options while still incorporating innovative features such as magnetic closures and open-back designs. 

Consider his mobility for dressing.

When shopping for clothing for elderly men, you need to consider whether or not he can still dress himself or if he needs help dressing. If he’s still able to get dressed on his own, then self-dressing clothing is a great option. On the other hand, if he needs help getting dressed, then assisted dressing garments will make the process easier on both him and his caretaker (whether that’s you or someone else). Whichever type of garments you choose, they will incorporate features that make the dressing process much less stressful.

Look into adaptive features.

Speaking of adaptive features, you might want to look out for certain ones based on your loved one’s needs. For instance, some pants incorporate secret openings to give access to medical devices such as prosthetics or catheters.

Elastic closures allow men with arthritis in their hands to open and close garments even if they cannot operate buttons. 

Select the right size.

Many older people choose overly large garments to make it easier to put them on and off, or to cover up their changing body. Unfortunately, all that extra fabric can hamper movement and even catch on furniture and other objects. When ordering clothing for elderly women, consult the size chart and order the right size. Clothing for seniors is designed to be comfortable and easy to take on and off without needing to size up.

Layer multiple garments.

Many older people, get cold very easily, which not only causes discomfort but also potentially endangers their health. Help them to dress in multiple layers so they can take them off if they get hot, and then easily put them on again if their body temperature starts to drop. Cardigans, sweaters, vests and jackets are all great options for layering pieces that will go with multiple outfits.