Clothing for Scoliosis Patients: What to Wear
Today, we’re talking about clothes! If you have scoliosis, what should you consider when going clothes shopping? Are there specific brands that make supportive clothing or styles that are best to avoid?
Generally, you should prioritize fit, comfort, and support when looking for clothing for scoliosis. But I’ve also got some specific suggestions on styles and brands that can help — or worsen — your scoliosis symptoms.
6 Considerations When Choosing Clothing for Scoliosis
This is definitely a popular topic — and it’s something that I’ve been talking about it since I started on social media! One of my first reels was about how challenging it is to wear underwire bras when you have scoliosis.
And since then, I’ve learned a lot about choosing clothes. From talking with friends and clients to living with my own scoliosis, I’ve come up with several things to consider when you’re choosing what to wear.
1. Tight-Fitting Clothing
Clothing that’s snug or designed to fit close to the body can be a challenge for individuals with scoliosis. That’s true when it comes to tight shirts and bras, but tight-fitting pants can be especially problematic!
Think about those high-waisted skinny jeans that are popular right now. These pants typically hit right around the area of your front rib prominence. Feeling pressure in this area all day can make your scoliosis symptoms worse, especially if you already have baseline rib pain.
Pay attention to how you breathe with those pants on — are they restricting your breathing? Probably! Tight, high-waisted pants make it much harder to breathe correctly (with your diaphragm) and encourage you to breathe shallowly, up in your chest, which is not ideal.
High, tight waistbands can also affect your digestion. Pants like this encourage you to “hold in” your abdominal muscles all day. Constantly contracting those muscles doesn't allow them to move and propel digestion, which can lead to bloating, constipation, and gas pain.
If you do want to wear high-waisted pants, choose a pair that fits well and isn’t super snug. You don’t something that feels like it’s digging in or compressing your waist or lower ribs.
2. Supportive Undergarments
Bodysuits, corsets, and other types of supportive underwear can be really helpful for scoliosis patients. These styles act like mild braces, supporting your spine and improving your posture.
Just make sure you don’t choose a style or size that’s too tight, or you’ll run into the problems we discussed earlier.
It’s also vital to wear a supportive bra, especially if you have larger breasts. Without proper support, you’ll probably tend to round your shoulders and upper back. This type of misalignment can cause back and neck pain, even in people who don’t have scoliosis.
Ideally, look for a bra that’s supportive but doesn’t have an underwire. I know — I’m basically sending you on a treasure hunt! But there are options out there.
I’d recommend looking at Honeylove (a brand one of my clients recommended to me). I’ve found some styles with a nice shape and “goldilocks” straps that aren’t too wide or narrow.
And don’t forget about swimsuits. Wearing a swimsuit can feel very vulnerable (for anyone!), but there are many options out there that can help reduce that discomfort. I’ve found Albion Fit suits work really well for me, and Athleta also has some great options.
3. High Heels
Heels might look awesome, but they’re terrible for your posture — scoliosis or not! My recommendation is to avoid wearing high heels as much as possible. If you do need to wear them, look for styles with a thicker heel instead of a thin one — no stilettos!
I’ve found some good options from Cole Haan. Maybe not the height of fashion, but they’re comfy and don’t look like “grandma shoes.” (We all know what I’m talking about.)
4. Layers
Dressing in layers is a great option for anyone, especially if you live in a cold climate. But wearing layers is especially helpful for scoliosis patients because those extra clothes provide more support for your spine.
I always like to bring a jacket or sweatshirt with me. It’s helpful for cold rooms, and I can also scrunch it up and use it instead of a wedge (which I tend to forget, especially on short car trips!) Alternatively, you can roll up your jacket and put it at your lumbar spine to reduce sciatic pain.
5. Breathable Material
This is another tip that’s great for anyone, because wearing breathable clothing is always better for your skin. And if you do have scoliosis, choose breathable pieces, especially for areas around your prominences. Non-breathable clothing adds extra discomfort on top of the issues caused by your curve.
6. The Perfect Fit
Most people have areas of their appearance that they dislike, and it’s no different for scoliosis patients. You may feel uncomfortable with how your shoulders, back, ribs, or hips look. It’s a normal feeling, but I always like to remind my clients (and myself!) that no one notices those areas as much as you do. Everyone is more critical of their own appearance than others are.
So do your best to find clothing that fits you well and helps you feel confident in your appearance. And try to be kind to yourself and remember no one else is focusing on those imperfections.
You might want to consider a styling service — I’ve found Stitch Fix to be a really good option for me. Most styling services use your specific measurements to choose clothing, which works so much better than just relying on a letter or number size.
Finding Clothing That Works for You
Having clothes that fit well and feel comfortable can have a huge impact on your self-confidence. If you have scoliosis, it’s important to look for pieces that are supportive without being too tight. Breathable fabrics and layers are good choices for daily wear (save high heels for really special occasions).
And of course, the most important thing to remember is that everyone experiences scoliosis differently. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa. So use these suggestions as a starting point and find what works for you.
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