What to wear, what to wear?
Fashion is perhaps the easiest way to instantly “individualize” yourself. For some, only high-end clothes will do, while others opt for a high relaxation factor (think sweatpants); most of us fall in between. What we wear is part of our lives, and it can be a joy or a form of torture depending on how you view clothing, style, and fashion. However, for many of us with IC it becomes necessary to alter some of our styles so that we are as comfortable as possible.
When dressing for (or around) IC you will want to avoid items of clothing which put undue pressure on your lower abdominal area. Dressing your upper torso may be less of a concern than what to wear on the bottom half, but this will depend entirely on you, and what you are most comfortable wearing. As well you may want to wear natural fibres and avoid synthetic fabrics whenever possible. You don’t have to skip on style though, just work within the IC perimeters and you can still be the trendiest guy or gal around.
Fabrics
Fabric is the lifeblood of a garment, and there is a veritable plethora of material available. When it comes to dressing for IC good fabric choices include:
-Wool: Natural or cotton wool is best. Sources range from sheep to llama to goats. Wool skirts can be a warm choice for the office during winter. When it comes to wool you often get what you pay for in terms of quality and comfort – no one likes itchy wool, so try any wool product on before you buy. If you’re in the mood to pamper yourself, don’t forget every fashionista’s favourite - cashmere.
-Cotton: Cotton is an incredibly versatile fabric; it can be made into everything from jeans to underwear. A series of television commercials released by “Cotton Incorporated” calls cotton “the fabric of our lives”. When it comes to dressing for IC cotton is king. Try to find cotton (or wool) pants, not polyester or other synthetic materials that do not allow the skin to breathe as well as cottons do. It’s recommend that ICers and especially those with vulvodynia wear cotton underwear (briefs/panties/boxers). Many opt for all white or naturally coloured cotton under garments. Read the labels carefully since many items that are toted as cotton are not a hundred percent cotton. If you are choosing a blend, aim to keep the cotton content as high as possible. You may have to pay a little more, but the quality of the clothing and how it affects your body will be well worth it in the long run.
-Linen: Linen is an ancient fibre, it has been cultivated for tens of thousands of years, and was highly favoured by the Egyptians. Linen is classified as a vegetable fibre (it comes from the stalk of the flax plant), and has double to triple the strength of cotton. Yet it is typically very light weight and breezy. Another nice aspect of linen (as opposed to most wools and cottons) is that it is lint free. Linen is a smooth fabric, with a lovely sort of natural sheen, which comes from the natural wax content of the plant. As linen is repeatedly washed over time it becomes softer and even gentler to the touch. Linen does easily wrinkle however, and when unblended with other materials it is not very elastic. Linen is a fantastic choice for lightweight pants and skirts, and it just begs to be worn during summer. Look for linen that is iron-able, and always hang dry your linens after washing.
-Silk:Silk conjures up images of posh styles and high price tags, but these days good quality silk can be found at reasonable prices. Silk is extracted from the cocoon of silkworms, and is a natural protein fibre. One lovely aspect to silk (besides the texture) is that most silks can be hand washed and do not require dry cleaning. As well, a tightly woven silk will not shrink by any noticeable amount when laundered. When washing silk it is best to dry it with a towel instead of wringing the garment out. Silk can be a nice choice for skirts and pants, especially when you need something more elegant and formal than every day wear. One tip, if you find you get a lot of static happening when you wear silk try putting a dab of organic (avoid ones with alkalines, wax, or petroleum) hair conditioner in the water when you wash your garment.
-Hemp: Hemp seems to bring to mind an automatic association with the drug marijuana and the counter culture that embraces it. However, the narcotic chemicals (referred to as THC) that make marijuana a drug are not present in hemp that is cultivated for industrial usage. Marijuana comes from the dried flowers and stems of the plant, whereas hemp is extracted from the stems of the plant. Visually, hemp is very similar to linen in terms of appearance and functionality. It is often lightweight, and highly durable. Many think that the best hemp in the world is manufactured in Italy. Hemp withstands water well, but like linen also wrinkles easily. Hemp can be a great alternative choice from cotton and linen, and is surprisingly comfortable to wear. It makes nice shirts, pants (including denim), and skirts. As well hemp makes really nice underwear for both women and men. Women’s panties may be made with silk for extra “va-va-voom” appeal.
-Ramie: Ramie is a natural plant fibre, similar in structure to linen. It has a naturally white colour and strange resistance to bacteria and moulds. Ramie is very absorbent and it dries rapidly. Ramie originally comes from East Asia, but it can be found around the world these days. Ramie is often blended with other fabrics, and is most often used for shirts, handkerchiefs, and household linens.
When it comes to synthetic materials there are tons! Manmade or “artificial” fabrics often come from various filaments, which are extracted in liquid form and transformed into woven fabrics. Most are coloured prior to becoming a filament, as they do not absorb well once they become a solid fabric.
Varieties of synthetic fabric
-Acrylic: Which is actually non-allergenic and can be used in place of wool.
-Acetate: Yes, the same acetate that is found in nail polish products
-Nylon: Since it was first spun into hosiery in the early 1940’s, nylon has been a textile staple. It is lightweight and extremely adaptable it has elastic properties and is considerably strong, yet nylon does not breath particularly well and is often best left to stockings and avoided in other garments.
-Polyester: The infamous polyester, ever so popular in the sixties and seventies, polyester is a purely synthetic, chemical fabric. Though polyester has it’s good points (it is strong, has a long lifespan, and is often inexpensive), it does not allow the skin to breath and it traps in moisture. Whenever possible avoid wearing polyester, especially in slacks and skirts.
-Rayon: This is a cellulous fibre that is very absorbent and can be made into a wide range of weights and textures. Rayon is soft, smooth, and often hand washable (but not always, so remember to check the label). Rayon is used to make materials like velvet and fibranne. Rayon is commonly blended with other materials, over all it is a better choice then polyester.
-Spandex: Beyond its fame as the prime material used to make workout clothing, spandex is an elastic-type fabric that can be stretched and still maintain its original shape. Spandex holds up well against heat, washing, and sweat making it ideal for workout wear. A product that is created from spandex is lastex. Lastex is often used to add stretch to other garments such as jeans, skirts, and even shoes.
There are other fabrics on the market both natural and synthetic, so it’s important to read the label, and decide for yourself which products you are most comfortable wearing and having against your skin.
As well you may want to consider that many natural fabrics are heavily sprayed with pesticides in the fields, and coloured/processed with chemicals in the factory. Some people prefer to switch to organic or “green” clothing that has been guaranteed pesticide free. If you are highly sensitive to chemicals you may want to try organic clothing and see if it makes a difference in how your skin and body feels.
Styles
IC dressing means that you may want to choose garments that do not have heavy elastic waistbands or are otherwise restrictive. Look for items that fit you well, but still give you plenty of room to be comfortable (it might be wise to allow for a little extra room or buy items with stretch so as to accommodate for abdominal bloating which often occurs in ICers and IBSers).
Belts, tight waistbands, and tight undergarments can all cause a lot of unnecessary pressure on the (often sensitive/tender) area of the lower abdomen. Try to find items with draw strings, flexible elastic waists, or comfy zippers.
You may want to keep the leather to jackets and handbags and avoid tight leather or faux leather pants that never seem to entirely go out of style. As well look for loose fitting (sometimes referred to as relax-fit) jeans and leggings.
Dresses with no waistband, skirts, and belt-less pants are all good choices. You may want to switch to thigh highs (many brands now make varieties which stay up on their own with elastic and do not require a garter belt) and knee-highs as opposed to nylons, which can be very tight or which put undo pressure on the lower abdomen.
When it comes time to buying clothes, always try before you buy! Walk around in your potential items, sit down, bend, and see how the garment works with your body. If it is tight in the store, don’t tell yourself you’ll drop a pound or two and fit into it better, just go for a size up. You can usually have a garment sized down, but it is considerably more difficult to have one sized up.
When it comes to undergarments (panties, briefs, boxers, etc) aim for comfort and durability. Look for styles with little or no elastic at the waist and which are made from breathable fabrics. Thongs are often best avoided by ICers and those with vulvodynia, as they can rub delicate vulvar tissue and provoke irritation in some people. If you want to wear sexy lingerie or underwear try putting it on shortly before a romantic encounter and switch back to good old cotton once you are done.
Washing your garments
Many ICers find that they their skin has become quite sensitive. If you have Vulvodynia or multiple-chemical sensitivities, you may be highly sensitive to the irritants and chemicals found in most commercial cleaning products.
Thusly it’s a good idea to wash your clothing (wash undergarments twice to rinse out any soap residue) with a mild and gentle soap such as Ivory or Dove. Or if you prefer, switch to organic laundry soap products like those made by Environné and Bi-O-Kleen. If you need to use bleach, try to keep the quantity small and opt for organic.
You may want to avoid the use of “fabric softeners” and dryer static dryer sheets. If you would like your clothing to have a delicate, pleasing aroma, try putting a few drops of a subtle essential oil like lavender or rose on a wet washcloth and tossing it in with your drying.
Helpful links
Organic cotton and hemp undergarments
Organic and hemp clothing
Organic or “green” laundry and household cleaning products