My Favorite Clothing for Living More Comfortably with MS

Temperature-regulating technology and lighter-weight fabrics can help keep my multiple sclerosis symptoms from flaring.

As a woman in my 40s, I yearn to continue feeling stylish. But as someone who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), feeling comfortable in my clothing can make all the difference in curbing my symptoms. Thankfully, I’ve discovered I can have both style and comfort with pieces from certain brands.

I consider many factors when purchasing clothes, from the feel and stretch of the fabric, to the weight of each item, and whether it has cooling technology.

Here are my go-to clothing picks that help ease my symptoms, enabling me to function at my best despite MS.

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Prana

My legs feel stronger in leggings than they do in looser-fitting pants like sweatpants or jeans — likely due to the compression they provide — and wearing them allows me to walk farther and be more active.

I’ve tried a lot of other brands, but I feel best in Prana leggings, so I wear them almost every day. In my experience, Prana leggings fit looser in the waist, so they’re more comfortable against my bladder and don’t exacerbate my overactive bladder symptoms.

While fit within a brand can vary among styles, I feel it remains similar among Prana leggings. The company’s website claims that the Heavana 7/8 Legging feels like “a gentle hug” — and I can assure you they do! With just the right amount of stretch, the pressure against my legs keeps them feeling calm when I’m shaky, yet the leggings have enough give to go on and come off with ease.

The Sol Searcher Hoodie, also by Prana, is one of my go-to long-sleeve tops. The ultra-soft and giving fabric feels gentle against my skin, which is calming on days when I have muscle pain. The looser fit allows for airflow, and the moisture-wicking technology keeps me cool when I’m in the sun.

Beyond Yoga

I have the Featherweight On The Down Low Tee in various colors, and in warmer weather, I wear them almost every day. As the name suggests, this T-shirt is ultra-lightweight, ensuring I don’t feel as though I’m carrying additional weight, which enables me to be more active and move more freely. The loose fit allows for airflow, which keeps me cool and ensures getting dressed and undressed is manageable.

I have worn Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye Movement Skirt on hot days and remained cooler than I do in other summer bottoms. The skirt’s design allows for airflow, and the buttery soft, breathable fabric wicks away sweat on the hottest of days.

This skirt’s waist is looser than other activewear I’ve tried, so it doesn’t trigger my bladder symptoms. With shorts built in underneath, I feel comfortable wearing this skirt whether I’m out running errands or spending time with my family at home — and it keeps me feeling stylish no matter where I am.

Patagonia

The Long-Sleeved Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Shirt feels silky and weightless against my body, rather than making me feel like I’m carrying extra weight and therefore weaker — a sensation I’ve experienced with heavier clothing.

Made with a wicking fabric for use in a range of temperatures, you can get it wet at the beach to keep you cool, potentially preventing a flare from overheating. You can also wear it in cooler weather without it getting too warm.

The sleeves fit loosely, so you can easily roll them up for IV access or simply to cool off in warmer weather. I’ve worn this shirt comfortably in every season!

Toad&Co

The Marley II Long Sleeve Tee is another one of my favorite long-sleeve shirts. Made with Tencel lyocell, a plant-based fiber, this shirt is moisture-wicking and breathable, perfect for those of us with heat sensitivity.

It hugs my body slightly more than other shirts — just enough to allow for a stylish look — but loose enough to put on and remove with ease. The V-neck allows for extra airflow to keep me cool, helping to regulate my body temperature on those early fall days that begin cold but warm up by lunchtime.

Zella

The Breathe Active T-Shirt is similar to Beyond Yoga’s Featherweight On The Down Low tee but with a V-neck for extra breathability. With quick-drying technology and an extra-loose fit, this shirt keeps me cool and helps regulate my body temperature when I’m outdoors in the summer.

Vuori

I wear the lightweight Halo Performance Hoodie 2.0 when I receive my MS infusion. I wear a tee underneath and remove one arm for IV access. The zipper moves up and down smoothly, ensuring I don’t expend extra energy when fastening the hoodie.

Vuori clothing has the softest fabric I’ve found, keeping me as comfortable as possible even while I feel groggy and fatigued from my infusion.

With MS, dressing in layers can help regulate body temperature, minimizing symptoms that result from feeling too cold or hot. So, a hoodie is a vital part of my wardrobe. With sweat-wicking technology, this hoodie keeps me cool or warm depending on the temperature, so I wear it in every season.

The takeaway

The clothing we choose can affect how we feel with MS. The clothing features that keep me feeling my best are moisture-absorbing fabrics, loose waistbands, and V-necks.

These clothing choices help to keep my symptoms at a minimum while allowing me to feel comfortably stylish — and I hope they can help others on this MS journey, too.