#EverydayEB P2P Tips: Clothing & Fashion
Find your #EverydayEB Peer-to-Peer Tips on EB-Friendly Clothing & Fashion here!
We’ve gathered suggestions across all age groups and EB types. Each suggestion is presented as a quote, with the contributor's EB type noted. Categories include:
CLOTHING
SHOES
SOCKS
UNDERGARMENTS
MISCELLANEOUS
Because a suggestion may not pertain to every individual, and there is no one product that works for everyone, discretion and experimentation will guide you and your physician in choosing the methods and products that best apply. It is important to note that this is just a small list of the various EB-friendly products that may be useful to a person.
We encourage our readers to join the conversation and contribute your own suggestions in the comments section at the bottom of the post. Now, let’s dive in!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR PRINT ABRIDGED LIST.
Clothing
"I’ll wear high-waisted underwear or yoga pants to protect my skin, but I mostly try to wear loose and forgiving clothes that don’t require extra layers." (EB Simplex)
"My kids love to swim and play at water parks. We love that swim shirts and shorts are widely available. They help hide wraps and we never have issues of swim suit straps cutting in. Also lessens the amount of sunscreen we need to apply." (RDEB)
"We love Garanimals* and Jumping Beans* brand, they have super soft cotton tees that are lightweight and really soft. They usually run a little big in sizing so it nice that we don't have to size up so much to have a looser fit." (DDEB) *Youth Only
"Vuori makes breathable polyester blend fabrics. They are expensive, but 32 Degrees makes more affordable alternatives." (EBS)
"I like some of the Russell Athletic brand shirts that aren’t the regular activewear material but a much softer athletic/activewear kind of material. It says 93% polyester, 7 % spandex." (EBS)
"For super soft clothing, the Skims boyfriend collection is great. The clothing is soft and unisex so it has extra room." (EBS)
"Anything soft, flexible, and breathable, like yoga clothing, works best." (EBS)
"For babies and toddlers: Kickee Pants bamboo clothes. By far the best brand that holds up to multiple washes. We buy sales only." (RDEB)
"I’ve been wearing rompers so it’s easy to slip off when I need to use the restroom and is not too revealing of my body for anyone that is uncomfortable with that." (RDEB)
"I have a particular love of chiffon pants as they can cover my legs while also being loose (and not sticking to any open wounds)." (RDEB)
"I recommend inside-out shirts. The seams and tags won't be on the inside to scratch the skin." -RDEB
"I wear tons of leggings and athletic shorts." (RDEB)
"Coolibar. Their swim leggings and rashguards have been what we have also used in the past for Rowan and help cover and hold on her bandages so she can swim. They are good quality and last for a couple years at least!" (RDEB)
"I like fleece for winter, soft and warm and has some stretch. My elbows don't blister as much." (EB type unknown)
"Bamboo has been great in our experience." (EB type unknown)
"I tried to buy cotton clothes for my beautiful princess when she was a baby and a toddler, then I came across Great Lakes, they sell really pretty dresses." (EB type unknown)
"Kickee Pants is wonderful soft clothing that does not tear the skin" (EB type unknown)
"Definitely natural fiber - 100% cotton, linen, light cashmere as well. Loose fitting..." (EB type unknown)
Additional suggestions from debra of America:
Fabrics such as satins, silks, soft cottons and bamboo are ideal materials for both clothing and bedding. Kickee Pants and Hanna Anderson are two recommended brands.
Magnaready - magnet button up shirts
Target Adaptive Clothing line - has options for flat seams without tags, options for side opening clothes for easy removal while seated, and clothes with openings to access the g-tubes
Shoes
"My oldest has severe feet involvement that requires heavy wrapping. We remove the padding in the show and pad his foot a little more to compensate. This way the inner shoe stays clean from wound drainage and walking is more comfortable." (RDEB)
"We love BILLY Footwear. They have shoes that zip open completely and come in wide options. It's great as it doesn't create friction and if extra bandages are required it's still well fitting and not too tight." (DDEB)
"I've found clogs of many kinds to be the best for me and have had me go from chronic blisters on my heals and ankles to very rarely having issues with my skin from shoes." (DDEB)
"Snug lace-up shoes that do not have too many contours for arch support (ie., Altra Superior 6)." (EBS)
"Walmart flip flops with a cloth thong has been amazing for my EB Simplex." (EBS)
"In the winter, Crocs with insulation, no socks or Crocs with no socks." (EBS)
"I get bespoke shoes from James Taylor and Son in London, England. I went from planning out every step I would take over the course of the day to lacing up and walking out the door. They take the time to really make certain everything about the fit is a best as it can be for me (they have even made special washable shoes that can go over my bandages with ease and adjustability!). Not cheap, but they have really improved my quality of life. Still wearing the first pair of shoes they made me back in 2004." (EBS)
"I find wide width shoes helpful." (EBS)
"For shoes: HOKA or Converse." (EBS)
"I’ve found that sock-like sneakers, like Adidas Cloudfoam, have fewer rub points than most shoes. I have to modify them by removing the stitching that falls between the toe and the laces because it can rub. Fortunately it’s only decorative as far as I can tell." (EBS)
"I’ve found felt or wool shoes, like Giesswein, are extremely EB friendly in cooler weather." (EBS)
"For new walkers: New Balance Kid's New-B V1 Hook and Loop Sneaker*. They come in X-Wide sizes and are very soft and easy to put on over bandaged feet. We also learned that used shoes usually fit because they had already been stretched out and worn to be softer. " (RDEB) *Youth Only
"For shoes, I usually either wear flats, moccasins, or just basically any slip on slip off shoe." (RDEB)
"Crocs. They slide on and off with ease." (RDEB)
"CROCS!!!" (RDEB)
"Sketchers GoWalk Gen 5 Slip On Wide Fits." (EB type unknown)
"Nike Flex Advance." (EB type unknown)
"Adidas Adilette Cloudfoam Slides were a god send when my neuropathy became unbearable." (EB type unknown)
Additional Suggestions from debra of America:
Adidas Climacool - athletic shoes with ventilation.
Nike Flyease - Sneakers that zip open around the back and close with Velcro (but looks like a lace-up shoe).
Overland - Sheepskin slippers and shoes.
Pedors - Specializes in orthopedic footwear that stretches to accommodate many types of forefoot problems as well as other issues related to the health of the foot.
Moccasins
Uggs
Billy Footwear - Zipper shoes with easy FlipTop closure
Pediped* - Shoes with soft rubber sole, rounded edges that mimic the shape of a child’s foot, heel stability, and a soft toe box to allow toes to grip the floor. *Youth Only
PLAE - Shoes that follow the natural contour of a child's foot and has interchangeable tabs that adjust.
Robeez* - Promotes natural foot function with a soft sole design built to flex and bend. *Youth Only
Friendly Shoes - Friendly shoes is a great company that can make tight shoes that unzip so you can still get them on without friction. (RDEB)
Carol Wright Shoes - These winter boots zip down and come in a wide witdth with feaux sheep skin linin
Ikiki - Toddler shoes that have fun squeakers, have wide base, allows for wide opening for donning
Socks
"No friction socks (ie., Wrightsocks)." (EBS)
"I find merino wool to the best. Bombas has good options. Balega makes good fabric blend socks called blister resist. Lastly, Darn Tough makes double pocket socks that help. Target thick socks used for running or hiking." (EBS)
"SmartKnit seamless socks." (EBS)
"Very thin socks, preferably made with lycra." (EBS)
"ArmaSkin hiking sock liners." (EBS)
"The best socks for me are Thorlo maximum cushion socks. They provide an amazing level of extra cushion. I found the walking ones to be the best but the running and hiking are great as well." (EBS)
"I wear about ankle high socks so if I need to work on my feet it’s very easy to take off." (RDEB)
"EZ Sox are helpful for weak/fused hands putting on their own socks." (RDEB)
"Cold Therapy Socks. They have reusable cool packs in them that you put in the freezer. My son takes his shoes and socks off at the end of the day and puts these on and puts his feet up. His feet are doing so much better." (EB Simplex)
"No elastic in socks - they give me blisters without even moving." (EB type unknown)
Additional Suggestions from debra of America:
Diabetic Socks for Mens Womens Loose Fit Non-Binding Cotton Crew Socks
Undergarments
"Wide, soft straps for my bras. I get my tailor to sew GlideWear on the part of the bra that is against my skin." (EBS)
"For girls and women, 'Period underwear'. Its quite affordable and amazing. It works well for menstruation and no other product is needed. It also helps wounds in that area not leak through pants." (RDEB)
"One of my daughters has a gtube. She want to wear belly shirts like everyone else. We found a nude dance tank that is firm and she wears it under her belly shorts to keep her gtube hidden. It looks like skin." (RDEB)
"I stick with long legs boxers from modal-polyester blends." (EBS)
"Hanna Anderson cotton underwear." (EBS)
"Smartknit Seamless Underwear." (EBS)
"I suggest bras with no wires." (RDEB)
"We have been using Glidewear (by Tamarack) for several years now. Our son wants to wear it every single day because it protects his skin just a bit more than normal clothing. He wears their long sleeved shirt and pants summer and winter under his other clothes." (RDEB)
"Bras that are not 'minimizers' - they press my breasts together and give me blisters as well as any synthetic bras - all bad news. Just got some all cotton ones from Woman Within and no blisters so far." (EB type unknown)
Miscellaneous
"Anti-sweat lotion that dries like powder; there is a very unfortunately named product, recommended by a dermatologist, called Fresh Balls. We rename it "Fresh Feet" in our house." (EBS)
Thank you to everyone who generously shared their insights! Your recommendations will help bring comfort, confidence, and style to others facing similar challenges.